Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Beers & Breweries
Join Us

Champion Winter Beer of Britain

The Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition marks the first day of the Great British Beer Festival Winter. It provides an opportunity to showcase the best traditional winter brews in the country, out of categories such as barley wines, strong old ales and stouts.

Cairngorm – Black Gold

Cairngorm – Black Gold

Following over a year of local blind-tasting panels and regional heats, the final round of judging took place at the winter festival, with Black Gold (4.4% ABV), a session stout from Scottish brewers Cairngorm, named as overall Champion Winter Beer of Britain.

Champion Beer of Britain judging panel organiser Christine Cryne described the beer as having: “Roasted coffee nose with dark fruits and earthy hops. The flavour is of refreshing coffee with sweet malt, orange and dark fruits, leading to a satisfying dry, chocolatey finish. Very easy drinking.”

View Beer Read Press Release

Finalists

Cairngorm – Black Gold 4.4%
Champion Beer of Britain judging panel organiser Christine Cryne described the beer as having: “Roasted coffee nose with dark fruits and earthy hops. The flavour is of refreshing coffee with sweet malt, orange and dark fruits, leading to a satisfying dry, chocolatey finish. Very easy drinking.”
View Beer
 Sarah Hughes - Snowflake 8%
Sarah Hughes, Snowflake (Silver): “Stunning golden brown barleywine with strong fruity nose of orange and honey. These favours are on the smooth palette with a growing spicy bitterness. Rich and satisfying.” 
View Beer
Grain - Slate 6%
Grain, Slate (Bronze): “Ruby black porter with liquorice treacle and a little dark fruit. Flavour is of black coffee, black cherry, raisins, treacle and liquorice overlaid with a sweet character. The sweetness lingers in the finish with a dry roastiness” 
View Beer

Previous Winners

Home
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2025 (ce-11)