Champion Winter Beer of Britain

Last updated

The Champion Winter Beer of Britain is an award presented by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) at its annual Great British Beer Festival Winter. The award is similar to the Champion Beer of Britain which is presented at the Great British Beer Festival.

Contents

Qualification and judging

As for Champion Beer of Britain, beers can qualify in three ways:

Nominated beers are then grouped into categories and go through several rounds of blind tasting at the Great British Beer Festival Winter. Category winners are then re-judged to determine the supreme champion — the Champion Winter Beer of Britain.

Categories

Beers are split into categories depending on their style or strength with Speciality ale categories joining in 2023 from the main Champion Beer of Britain competition.

Results

There were two National Winter Ales Festivals in 1997. The first one at the beginning of the year presented the 1996/7 awards and the other, at the end of the year, presented the 1997/8 awards. There was no festival in 1998, the next one being in January 1999.

Key

Supreme Winter Beer of Britain category

YearGoldSilverBronze
1996/7 Hambleton, Nightmare Branscombe Vale, Yo Ho Ho Theakston, Old Peculier
1997/8 Nethergate, Old Growler Shepherd Neame, Original Porter Daleside, Monkey Wrench (Yorkshire)
1999 Dent, T'Owd Top Woodforde's, Norfolk Nog Daleside, Monkey Wrench (Yorkshire)
2000 Robinson's, Old Tom (Stockport) Theakstons, Old Peculier Wye Valley, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout
2001 Orkney, SkullsplitterSarah Hughes, Dark Ruby Mild O'Hanlon's, Port Stout
2002 Wye Valley, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome Stout Bath Ales, Festivity Robinsons, Old Tom
2003 Nethergate, Old Growler Gales, Festival Mild (London) Wentworth, Oatmeal Stout
2004 Moor, Old Freddy Walker Gales, Festival Mild (London) Shepherd Neame, Original Porter
2005 Robinsons, Old Tom Bath Ales, Festivity Woodforde's, Headcracker
2006 Hogs Back, A Over T (Surrey) Gales, Festival Mild (London) Goff's, Black Knight
2007 Green Jack, Ripper Fuller's, London Porter Orkney, Skullsplitter
2008 Wickwar, Station Porter (Gloucestershire) Robinson's, Old Tom Hop Back, Entire Stout
2009 Oakham, Attila (Cambridgeshire) Elland, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire)Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby Mild
2010Elland, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire) Breconshire, Ramblers RuinAcorn's, Gorlovka Imperial Stout
2011 Hop Back, Entire Stout Marble, ChocolateDow Bridge, Praetorian Porter
2012Driftwood, Alfie's Revenge (St Agnes, Cornwall) Cairngorm, Black Gold (Aviemore, Highlands)Coniston, No. 9 Barley Wine (Coniston, Cumbria)
2013Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire)Bartrams Brewery, Comrade Bill
Bartram's EAISS [Egalitarian
Anti-Imperialist Soviet Stout] (Suffolk)
Kelburn Brewing, Dark Moor (East Renfrewshire)
2014Dunham Massey, Porter (Greater Manchester) Cairngorm, Black Gold (Aviemore, Highlands)Exe Valley, Winter Glow (Devon)
2015Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire)Purple Moose, Darkside of the MooseDancing Duck, Dark Drake
2016 Marble, Chocolate MarbleElland, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire)Plain Ales, Inncognito Stout
2017Moor, Old Freddy WalkerSulwath Brewers, Black Galloway Magic Rock, Dark Arts
2018Green Jack, RipperSiren Craft, Broken Dream Breakfast StoutCairngorm, Black Gold
2019 Lacons, Audit AleCalverley's, Porter Harviestoun, Old Engine Oil
2020Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2022Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2023Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire) [1] Robinsons Brewery, Old Tom (Cheshire)Dancing Duck’s, Dark Drake (Derbyshire)
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Old Ale category

YearGoldSilverBronze
1991 Theakston, Old Peculier King & Barnes, OldSarah Hughes, Dark Ruby Mild
1992 Woodforde's, Norfolk Nog (Norfolk) Theakston, Old Peculier Young's, Winter Warmer
1993Sarah Hughes, Original Mild King & Barnes, Old Alen/a
1994Hadrian, EmperorSummerskill, Indiana Bones Young's, Winter Warmer
1995 Theakston, Old PeculierOrkney, Dark Island King & Barnes, Old
1996No event was held this year
1997Branscombe, Vale Yo Ho Ho Theakston, Old Peculiern/a
1998 Daleside, Monkey Wrench (Yorkshire)Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby Mild;
King & Barnes, Old Ale
Gales, Festival Mild (London)
1999 Daleside, Monkey Wrench (Yorkshire)n/an/a
2000 Theakston, Old Peculier Gales, Festival Mild (London)n/a
2001Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby MildOrkney, Dark Islandn/a
2002 Bath Ales, FestivityRudgate, Ruby MildBeartown, Black Bear
2003 Gales, Festival Mild (London)Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby Mild Woodforde's, Norfolk Nog
2004 Gales, Festival Mild (London)n/an/a
2005 Bath Ales, Festivity Gales, Festival Mild (London) Theakston, Old Peculier
2006 Gales, Festival Mild (London)Goff's, Black KnightOrkney, Dark Island
2007B&T, Black Dragon MildOrkney, Dark IslandRudgate, Ruby Mild
2008Purple Moose, Dark Side of the MooseWest Berkshire, Maggs Magnificent Mild Highland, Dark Monroe
2009Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby Bryncelyn, Buddy MarvellousOrkney, Dark Island;
Theakston, Old Peculier
2010 Breconshire, Ramblers RuinLeeds, Midnight BellBeartown, Black Bear
2011 Marble, ChocolateKing's, Old AleBeowulf's, Dark Raven
2012Driftwood, Alfie's Revenge (Cornwall)Nant, Mwnci Nell (Conwy);
Brunswick, Black Sabbath (Derbyshire)
Beowulf, Dark Raven (Staffordshire)
2013Kelburn Brewing, Dark Moor (East Renfrewshire) Jennings, Sneck Lifter (Cumbria)Purple Moose, Dark Side of the Moose (Gwynedd)
2014Exe Valley, Winter Glow (Devon)Beowulf, Dark Raven (Staffordshire)Grainstore, Rutland Beast (Rutland)
2015Purple Moose, Dark Side of the Moose (Gwynedd)Ulverston, Fra Diavolio Castle Rock, Midnight Owl
2016Old Dairy, Snow Top;
Marble, Chocolate
Beowulf, Dark Raven;
Parmers, Tally Ho!
Adnams, Old Ale;
Brampton, Mild
2017Grainstore BrewerySarah Hughes, Dark Ruby MildAdnams, Old Ale
Old Dairy, Snow Top
2018Tintagel, ExcaliburUntapped, EmberJennings, Sneck Lifter
2019Tintagel, Excalibur [2] Harvey, Old AleBrampton, Mild
2020Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2023Brampton, Mild [1] Sarah Hughes, Dark RubyGreat Corby, Fox Brown Ale
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Barley Wines category

Barley Wines category (1992-2014)

YearGoldSilverBronze
1992Gibbs Mew, Bishops Tipple Woodforde's, Headcracker (Norfolk) Lees, Moonraker (Manchester)
1993 Woodforde's, Headcracker (Norfolk) Marston's, Owd Rodger (Burton upon Trent)n/a
1994 Woodforde's, Headcracker (Norfolk) Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport)Gibbs Mew, Bishops Tipple
1995Cottage, Norman Conquest (Somerset) Woodforde's, Headcracker (Norfolk)Pilgrim, Conqueror
1996No event was held this year
1997 McMullen's, Stronghart Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport)n/a
1998 Lees, Moonraker (Manchester) Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport) Marston's, Owd Rodger (Burton upon Trent)
1999Cottage, Norman's Conquestn/an/a
2000 Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport)Burton Bridge, Old Expensiven/a
2001 Orkney, Skullsplitter (Orkney) Adnams, Tally Ho (Suffolk)n/a
2002Big Lamp, Blackout Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport) Adnams, Tally Ho (Suffolk)
2003 Woodforde's, Headcracker (Norfolk) Harveys, Christmas Ale Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport)
2004Moor, Old Freddy Walker (Somerset)n/an/a
2005 Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport) Woodforde's, Headcracker (Norfolk)Moor, Old Freddy Walker (Somerset)
2006 Hogs Back, A Over T (Surrey)Isle of Skye, Cuillin Beast (Isle of Skye) Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport)
2007 Orkney, Skull Splitter (Orkney)Green Jack, Ripper (Suffolk)Durham, Benedictus
2008 Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport)Durham, Benedictus Mighty Oak, Saxon Song
2009 Oakham, Attila (Cambridgeshire) Hogs Back, A Over T (Surrey) Otley, O8
2010 Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport)Kinver Brewery, Over The Edge (Staffordshire) Otley, O8
2011 Holdens, Old Ale Robinsons, Old Tom (Stockport) Black Isle, Hibernator
2012 Coniston, No. 9 Barley Wine (Cumbria)Moor, Old Freddy Walker (Somerset)Isle of Skye, Cuillin Beast (Isle of Skye)
2013 Hogs Back, A Over T (Surrey)Heart of Wales Brewing, High as a Kite (Powys)Kinver Brewery, Over The Edge (Staffordshire)
2014Kinver Brewery, Over the Edge (Staffordshire)Moor, Old Freddy Walker (Somerset)Green Jack, Ripple Tripel (Suffolk);
Highland, Orkney Porter (Orkney)
2015Moved to Barley Wines and Strong Old Ales
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Barley Wine & Strong Old Ales category

YearGoldSilverBronze
2015 Lees, Moonraker (Manchester)Orkney, Skullsplitter Darwin, Extinction Ale
2016Tring, Death or Glory;
Darwin, Extinction Ale
Orkney, Skull Splitter;
Moor, Old Freddy Walker
Robinsons, Old Tom;
Broughton, Old Jock
2017Moor, Old Freddy WalkerGreen Jack, Ripper, TripelOrkney, Skull Splitter
2018Green Jack, RipperBoot, BeastExmoor, Exmoor Beast
2019Lacons, Audit Ale [2] Tring, Death or GloryRobinson, Old Tom
2020Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2023Robinsons, Old Tom [1] Exmoor, Beast Darwin, Extinction
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Stout & Porter category

Stout & Porter category (1991-2007)

YearGoldSilverBronze
1991 Mauldons, Black Adder (Suffolk)Burton, Bridge PorterWest Coast, Guiltless Stout
1992 Bateman, Salem PorterMalton, Pickwick PorterReepham, Velvet Stout
1993Coach House, BlunderbusReepham, Velvet Stoutn/a
1994Coach House, BlunderbusHambleton, Nightmare Porter Elgood's North Brink Porter (Cambridgeshire)
1995 Harveys, PorterRCH, Old Slug Porter Hop Back Entire Stout
1996No event was held this year
1997 Hambleton, Nightmare Wickwar, Station Porter (Gloucestershire)n/a
1998 Shepherd Neame Original Porter;
Nethergate, Old Growler
Wickwar, Station Porter (Gloucestershire)McGuinness, Tommy Todd's Porter
1999Salopian, Ironbridge Stoutn/an/a
2000 Wye Valley, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome StoutHigh Force, Cauldron Stoutn/a
2001O'Hanlon's, Port Stout Nethergate, Old Growlern/a
2002 Wye Valley, Dorothy Goodbody's Wholesome StoutRingwood, XXXXLBanks & Taylor, Edwin Taylor Extra Stout
2003 Nethergate, Old GrowlerWentworth, Oatmeal StoutRCH, Old Slug Porter
2004 Shepherd Neame, Original Portern/an/a
2005 Bateman, Salem PorterBig Lamp, Summerhill StoutSpectrum, Old Stoatwobbler
2006Bazen Knoll, Street Porter Fuller's, London Porter (London) Bath Ales, Festivity
2007 Fuller's, London Porter (London) Cairngorm, Black GoldSt Peter's, Old Style Porter
2008Separate awards for porters and stouts
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Porter category (2008-2019)

YearGoldSilverBronze
2008 Wickwar, Station Porter (Gloucestershire)Elland, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire)Acorn, Old Moor Porter
2009Elland, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire) Fullers, London Porter (London);
Townes, Pynot Porter
n/a
2010Elland, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire)Sulwath, Black GallowayRCH, Old Slug Porter
2011Dow Bridge's, Praetorian PorterBeowulf's Finns Hall PorterRed Squirrel's London Porter
2012Hammerpot, Bottle Wreck Porter (West Sussex)Blythe, Johnson's (Staffordshire)Sulwath, Black Galloway (Dumfries and Galloway)
2013Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire)Blythe Brewery, Johnson's (Staffordshire)Derby Brewery, Penny's Porter (Derbyshire)
2014Dunham Massey, Dunham Porter (Greater Manchester)Ayr Brewery, Rabbie's Porter (Ayrshire) Batemans, Salem Porter (Lincolnshire)
2015Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire) Bath Ales, Festivities;
Fuller's, London Porter (London)
Blakemere, Deep Dark Secret
2016Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter (West Yorkshire);
Facer's, North Star Porter
Ayr, Rabbies Porter;
RCH, Old Slug Porter
Red Fox, Black Fox Porter;
8 Sails, Victorian Porter
2017Sulwath Brewers, Black GallowayElland Brewery, 1872 PorterTavy Ales, Tavy Porter
2018Red Cat, Mr M's PorterDunham Massey, Dunham PorterGrain, Slate
2019Calverley, Porter [2] Harviestoun, Old Engine OilDancing Duck, Indian Porter
2020Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2023Categories changed to strengths
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Stout category (2008-2019)

YearGoldSilverBronze
2008 Hop Back, Entire Stout (Wiltshire)Spitting Feathers, Old WavertonianSpire, Sgt Pepper Stout
2009Bristol Beer Factory, Milk StoutBeowulf, Dragon Smoke StoutSpire, Sgt Pepper Stout
2010Acorn, Gorlovka Imperial Stout (South Yorkshire)Beowulf, Dragon Smoke StoutWapping, Stout
2011 Hop Back, Entire Stout (Wiltshire)Hop Star's, Smokey Joes Black Beer Milton's, Nero
2012 Cairngorm, Black Gold (Aviemore)Cambridge Moonshine, Black Hole Stout (Cambridgeshire)Acorn, Gorlovka (South Yorkshire)
2013Bartrams Brewery, Comrade Bill Bartram's EAISS [Egalitarian Anti-Imperialist Soviet Stout] (Suffolk) Marble Beers, Stouter Stout (Greater Manchester) Hop Back, Entire Stout (Wiltshire)
2014 Cairngorm, Black Gold (Highlands, Scotland)Ascot Ales, Anastasia's Exile Stout (Surrey) Marble, Stouter Stout (Greater Manchester)
2015Dancing Duck, Dark DrakePlain Ales, Incognito Highland, Sneeky Wee Orkney Stout
2016Plain Ales, Inncognito Stout;
Wibblers, Crafty Stoat
Cairngorm, Black Gold;
Thornbridge, St Petersburg Imperial Russian Stout
Thornbridge, St Petersburg Russian Stout;
Cairngorm, Black Gold
2017Magic Rock, Dark ArtsLondon Brewing Company, 100 Oysters StoutLoch Lomond, Silkie Stout
2018Siren Craft, Broken Dream Breakfast Stout Cairngorm, Black GoldFixed Wheel, Blackheath Stout
2019Plain Ales, Inncognito [2] Dark Star, Imperial Stout Cairngorm, Black Gold
2020Competition cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2023Categories changed to strengths
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Session Stouts and Porters category

YearGoldSilverBronze
2023Dancing Duck, Dark Drake [1] Thurston, Milk StoutBeowulf, Dragon Smoke Stout
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Strong Stouts and Porters category

YearGoldSilverBronze
2023Elland, 1872 Porter [1] Fixed Wheel, Blackheath StoutAshover, Milk Stout
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Speciality Beers

Speciality beers moved from Champion Beer of Britain festival category

Speciality, Differently Produced category

YearGoldSilverBronze
2023Chapter, Dead Man’s Fist [1] Black Hole, Milky WayTreens, Smoulder
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Speciality, Flavoured category

YearGoldSilverBronze
2023Marble, Earl Grey IPA [1] Purple Moose, Elderflower AleSiren Craft, Broken Dream Breakfast Stout
Source: Champion Winter Beer of Britain Results

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campaign for Real Ale</span> British consumer organisation

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is an independent voluntary consumer organisation headquartered in St Albans, England, which promotes real ale, cider and perry and traditional British pubs and clubs. With just over 150,000 members, it is the largest single-issue consumer group in the UK, and is a founding member of the European Beer Consumers Union (EBCU).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old ale</span> Style of beer

Old ale is a form of strong ale. The term is commonly applied to dark, malty beers in England, generally above 5% ABV, and also to dark ales of any strength in Australia. It is sometimes associated with stock ale or, archaically, keeping ale, in which the beer is held at the brewery. In modern times, the line has blurred between Old Ale and Barley wine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titanic Brewery</span> Independent producer of ales in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England

The Titanic Brewery is an independent producer of bottle conditioned and cask ales in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beer in England</span> Beer in England

Beer has been brewed in England for thousands of years. As a beer brewing country, it is known for top fermented cask beer which finishes maturing in the cellar of the pub rather than at the brewery and is served with only natural carbonation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AleSmith Brewing Company</span> Craft brewery in San Diego, California

AleSmith Brewing Company is an American craft brewery located in San Diego, California. It specializes in handcrafted ales in a variety of styles. As of 2015 it produces about 25,000 barrels of beer a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champion Beer of Britain</span> Annual award presented by CAMRA

The Champion Beer of Britain is an award presented by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), at its annual Great British Beer Festival in early August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crouch Vale Brewery</span>

The Crouch Vale Brewery is an independent brewery based in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, England. Its name is derived from its proximity to the River Crouch, and having been established in 1981, it is the oldest brewer in Essex. They have a roster of regular draught beers which are produced year round, as well as several popular seasonal beers which are produced at certain times of the year.

Nethergate Brewery was established in 1986 in Clare, Suffolk, England by former Head Brewer Ian Hornsey and his business partner Dick Burge. In 2005 the brewery site was moved across the county border to Pentlow in Essex. In 2010 the brewery was sold to anonymous buyers. Since 2017 the brewery has been based back in Suffolk, in the hamlet of Rodbridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Winter Ales Festival</span>

The National Winter Ales Festival (NWAF) is organised annually by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). From 2018 it was marketed as Great British Beer Festival Winter. The event showcases real ales available in the UK in the winter months, especially strong ales, stouts and porters. It was first held in 1997, alongside the Great British Beer Festival. Great British Beer Festival Winter is also home to the Champion Winter Beer of Britain awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Peter's Brewery</span> Brewery in Bungay, England

St. Peter's is an independent brewery founded in 1996 by John Murphy in former agricultural buildings adjacent to St. Peter’s Hall in St Peter, South Elmham, near Bungay in the English county of Suffolk.

The Otley Brewing Company Limited, colloquially Otley Brewery, is a brewery located in Pontypridd, Wales. Established in 2005, it has won several awards, including the Champion Beer of Wales in 2006. The head brewer is Charlie Otley. In October 2016, the brewery was put up for sale by its owners. In February 2018 the brewery ceased trading.

Bryncelyn Brewery was a brew pub in 'Wern Fawr Inn', a pub located near Ystalyfera, in south Wales. Brewing was begun in July 1999, and the brewers are Will Hopton and Robert Scott.

The Champion Beer of Wales is a beer award presented annually by the Campaign for Real Ale at the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival in Cardiff, Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oakham Ales</span>

Oakham Ales is an English brewery now based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, but first established in 1993 in Oakham, Rutland. The original owner, John Wood, left Oakham Ales in 1995.

The International Brewing Awards, previously known as the Brewing Industry International Awards (BIIA), is a biannual brewing competition with its origins dating to 1886. It is believed to be the oldest international brewing competition in the world.

Mighty Oak Brewing Co Ltd is a small brewery located in the town of Maldon, Essex. It has won many awards from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Blue Monkey Brewery is a 20 barrel microbrewery located on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Founded in Ilkeston in 2008, the company doubled its capacity and moved to Giltbrook in 2010. It produces beers, including Ape Ale and Guerrilla Porter. It currently has four outlets; The Organ Grinder Nottingham, The Organ Grinder Loughborough, The Organ Grinder Newark and The Coffee Grinder Arnold

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peerless Brewing Company</span> Brewery in Birkenhead, Wirral, England

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Porter (beer)</span> Dark style of beer

Porter is a style of beer that was developed in London, England in the early 18th century. It was well-hopped and dark in appearance owing to the use of brown malt. The name is believed to have originated from its popularity with porters.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Elland's 1872 Porter named Champion Winter Beer at the Great British Beer Festival Winter". 16 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "CHAMPION BEER OF BRITAIN 2019 WINNERS". 7 August 2019.