asting panels and regional heats leading up to the finals, CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has announced that Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker has been crowned the ‘Best Beer’ in Britain at the Great British Beer Festival, Olympia, London.The West Yorkshire brewed real ale was judged the Supreme Champion over a host of other finalists in seven different beer categories (Bitters, Best Bitters, Strong Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Winter Beers, and the Speciality class), including beers from both small microbrewers and large regional brewers.
Nik Antona, Champion Beer of Britain Director, says: “It is fantastic to announce Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker as the Champion Beer of Britain 2014. This full flavoured bitter is a modern classic that is as impressive today as the day it was first brewed. ”
Head Brewer Peter Eells says: “We work very hard to produce great beers and we really believe this is the best beer we can brew – so to have it acknowledged in such an important competition is absolutely fantastic.”
Charles Dent, Managing Director of Timothy Taylor, adds: “It’s our favourite, it’s the brewers favourite, it’s the beer that you drink if you’re drinking with us and it’s named after one of our favourites pubs – The Boltmakers.”
This year’s Silver went to Oakham Citra, whilst the Bronze award went to Salopian, Darwin’s Origin.
Overall winners
Gold – Timothy Taylors, Boltmaker
Silver – Oakham, Citra
Bronze – Salopian, Darwin’s Origin
Mild category
Gold – Bank Top, Dark Mild
Silver – Branscombe Vale, Mild
Bronze – Castle Rock, Black Gold
Bitters category
Gold – Timothy Taylor, Boltmaker
Silver – Mighty Oak, Captain Bob
Joint Bronze – Flowerpots, Flowerpots Bitter & Sambrook’s Wandle Ale
Best Bitters
Gold – Salopian, Darwin’s Origin
Silver – Red Willow, Directionless
Joint Bronze – Purity, Mad Goose & Langton, Inclined plain bitter
Golden Ales
Gold – Oakham, Citra
Silver – Hawkshead, Cumbrian Five Hop
Bronze – Salopian, Hop Twister
Strong Bitters
Gold – Church End, Fallen Angel
Silver – Blue Monkey, Ape Ale
Bronze –Loch Ness, HoppyNESS
Speciality Beers
Gold – Saltaire, Triple Chocoholic
Silver – Offbeat, Way Out Wheat
Bronze – Peak Ales, Chatsworth Gold
Champion Winter Beer of Britain
Cairngorm, Black Gold (Stouts Category)
Dunham Massey, Dunham Porter (Porter Category)
Exe Valley, Winter Glow (Old Ales & Strong Milds)
Kinver, Over the Edge (Barley Wines & Strong Old Ales)
Champion Bottled Beer of Britain winners
(Sponsored by Beer Hawk)
Gold – Marble, Chocolate Marble
Silver – St Austell, Proper Job
Bronze – Spire, Prince Igor Imperial Russian Stout
