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Cambridge Beer Festival unveils the winner of CAMRA’s world famous cask beer competition.
Independence (ABV 4.6%), a premium pale ale by Bristol Beer Factory has been crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2026 at the Cambridge Beer Festival.
Fending off competitors from across the UK, the country’s best beers have been whittled down from 12 fantastic finalists to one supreme champion by an expert judging panel.
The Champion Beer of Britian is the highest honour CAMRA can bestow upon a brewer, putting the winner firmly in both the UK-wide and international spotlight. The award is the most sought after and well-respected cask beer competition in the world.
The competition is fiercely independent (and that's not just because it's the name of the winning beer), with judging taking two years to complete. Each year kicks off with individual nominations from CAMRA members and volunteer tasting panels, then regional competitions. Every round of judging, including the final at Cambridge Beer Festival, uses a strict blind tasting policy.
Sam Burrows, Managing Director of Bristol Beer Factory, said:
"The lineage of the Champion Beer of Britain is impeccable. It features some of the best beers of all time: Landlord, Bluebird, Cwtch, JHB, Rudgate Ruby Mild, and now Independence.
"We could not be more chuffed. In an era when the majority of our successful contemporaries have prioritised keg, we have remained steadfastly committed to the brilliance of cask. We brew around 60 different cask beers per year, but only four beers all year. And the one that made our name, the one that blends the tradition of cask with the punch of modern American hop legends is Independence. It's been a staple of South West cask pumps for 15 years - what took you so long!
"We love cask. Raise a glass to independent drinkers, to indie venues, and to our bold, citrusy 4.6% IPA Independence, or as we call it 'Indy'. Cheers and thank you from all of us at Bristol Beer Factory."
Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain Judging Coordinator described Independence as:
“A pale strong beer. Strong enticing citrus nose, with piney hops. Caramelised citrus, tangerines, grapefruit and digestive biscuits lead to dry peppery bittersweet finish, which lingers. Refreshing full flavoured, fruity and smooth.”
The silver and bronze winners were:
Silver: Wildcat (ABV 5.1%), a premium bitter by Cairngorm, was described by the judges as: “Toffee, malt hops and a little orange on the nose, flavour is dark orange marmalade with honey. The spicy hops develop and then linger in a dry bitter finish, which is balanced by some toffee notes. Well balanced and satisfying.”
Bronze: Alfie’s Revenge (6.5%), a strong ale by Driftwood Spars was described by the judges as: “Fruity aroma with toffee and some pear notes. Flavour estery overlaid with toffee and caramelised fruit. Finish remains sweet, with a bitterness which grows, alongside a little dryness. Full flavoured and rich.”
Shelly Bentley CAMRA Awards Director said:
“I’m thrilled to bits to see Independence by Bristol Beer Factory make history and claim the 2026 title of Champion Beer of Britain! It is a more than deserving winner.
“All 12 finalists in the coveted competition are fantastic examples of how the quality of UK brewing continues to climb to new heights. Government must improve the access to market for the UK’s amazing independent brewers, who are being blocked from getting space at the bar by the giant global brewers which have a stranglehold on our pubs.
“Make sure to come down to the Cambridge Beer Festival, one of CAMRA’s longest running and largest events, to try the best beer, cider and perry the UK has to offer. Let’s raise a pint and cheers to Bristol Beer Factory - a thoroughly deserving Champion Beer of Britain!”
All the finalists in this year’s competition are on sale while stock lasts at the Cambridge Beer Festival at Jesus Green Park from Tuesday 19 May to Saturday 23 May. Entry is free for CAMRA members: cambridgebeerfestival.com
Notes to editors:
Images of the award announcement, winning beer and pump clip are available here.
Overall Champion Beer of Britain: Gold, Silver and Bronze winners
Gold: Bristol Beer Factory, Independence, 4.6% ABV
Silver: Cairngorm, Wildcat, 5.1%
Bronze: Driftwood Spars, Alfie’s Revenge, 6.5%
Category winners
Mild
Silver: Harrogate, Nidd Mild, 3.7%
Bronze: Magic Dragon, Old Magic, 3.6%
Session Bitter
Gold: Purple Moose, Cwrw Glaslyn/Glaslyn Ale, 4.2%
Silver: Dancing Duck, 22, 4.3%
Bronze: Ludlow, Ludlow Best, 3.7%
Premium Bitter
Gold: Cairngorm, Wildcat, 5.1%
Silver: Daleside, Monkey Wrench, 5.3%
IPAs (English and New World)
Gold: Blue Monkey, Infinity Plus 1, 5.6%
Silver: Oakham, Green Devil, 6%
Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales
Gold: Blue Monkey, BG Sips, 4%
Silver: Burning Sky, Plateau, 3.4%
Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales
Gold: Bristol Beer Factory, Independence, 4.6%
Silver: Two by Two, Snake Eyes Pale, 4.7%
Bronze: Surrey Hills, Collusion, 5.2%
Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds
Silver: Elmtree, Nightlight Mild, 5.7%
Bronze: RedWillow, Sleepless, 5.4%
Session Stouts and Porters
Gold: Cairngorm, Black Gold, 4.4%
Silver: Green Jack, Lurcher Stout, 4.8%
Bronze: Blackjack, Manchester Stout, 4.8%
Strong Stouts and Porters
Gold: Green Jack, Baltic Trader Export Stout, 10.5%
Silver: Ramsgate, Gadds’ Black Pearl, 6.2%
Bronze: Five Kingdoms, Dark Storm, 6.9%
Specialty, Differently Flavoured
Silver: Titanic, Cappuccino Stout, 4.5%
Bronze: Cerne Abbas, Gurt Coconuts Rum Stout, 6.7%
Specialty, Differently Produced
Gold: London Brewing, Beer Street, 4%
Bronze: Dorset, Jurassic Dark, 5.9%
Barely Wines and Strong Old Ales
Gold: Driftwood Spars, Alfie’s Revenge, 6.5%
Silver: Grainstore, Nip, 7.3%
Bronze: Holden’s, Old Ale, 7.2%
About Champion Beer of Britain
First taking place in 1978, the Champion Beer of Britain is one of the most coveted and well-respected cask beer competitions in the world. With the winner receiving UK-wide and international acclaim.
Judging for the competition takes two years to complete, starting with individual nominations from CAMRA members and tasting panels, then regional rounds. Each round of judging, including the final, uses a strict blind tasting policy, contributing to the award’s respected reputation of independence.
About Cambridge Beer Festival
Find Cambridge Beer Festival photos here.
More information at cambridgebeerfestival.com or email enquiries@cambridgebeerfestival.com.
Opening hours:
Wednesday 20 May: 12noon – 3pm. Reopens 5pm – 10pm
Thursday 21: 12pm – 3pm. Reopens 5pm – 10pm
Friday 22: 12pm – 3pm. Reopens 5pm – 10pm
Saturday 23 May: 12noon – 10pm
