Matthew Winter with his winning beer
Gold, Silver and Bronze winners crowned at Great British Beer Festival
CAMRA has announced Matthew Winter (above) with his beer Black Magic – Tropical Stout (7%) as winner of the Champion Homebrewer of the Year 2025 competition at the Great British Beer Festival, held at the NEC Birmingham.
Matthew won with his beer, Black Magic – Tropical Stout which also topped the strong stouts and porters category.
Sponsored by Nailmaker Brewing Co and Brew At Home, the award seeks out the best of homebrewing and showcases the brightest brewers of the future.
In the final judging round at the festival, the homebrewers’ beers were blind-tested by a formidable panel of experienced beer judges.
Reacting to his win, Matthew said:
"I was absolutely chuffed to have made it as far as winning my category in the first round of judging, and that was prize enough for me. So, to hear that I'd won best in show at the NEC was the cherry on the icing on the cake! I still can't really believe it and I'm very grateful to all the people that have given me feedback on my beer over the years."
Kevin Travers, judging coordinator for the final round of the competition, described the winning beer as:
“A full-bodied stout, with a thick creamy head. Incredibly complex with a sweet aroma, loaded with dark fruits and a smoky finish. Really easy drinking for its strength.”
The overall Silver award went to Richard Taylor with his beer The Bishops Tripple (4.4%) which won the brown and red ales, old ales and strong milds category.
The Bronze prize was awarded to James Bailey with his beer Because I'm Hoppy! the winner of the British and New World IPAs category.
Bronze winner James Bailey said:
“Wow! I never expected to win this, and I am very happy.”
Gary Timmins, CAMRA Awards Director, said:
“Whether it’s a hobby that’s been mastered, or an ambition to go on and brew commercially, Champion Homebrewer of the Year showcases the brightest and best people that are taking their beer knowledge home with them.
“A massive congratulations to Matthew, and to everyone who put themselves out there and entered their beers for judging by our expert panels.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
The Champion Homebrewer of the Year 2025 is sponsored by Nailmaker Brew Co and Brew At Home, who also helped with the early rounds of judging.
Overall winners
Gold: Matthew Winter, Black Magic – Tropical Stout
Silver: Richard Taylor, The Bishops Tripple
Bronze: James Bailey, Because I'm Hoppy!
Final round judges
Bill Austin: Bill is a trained CAMRA beer judge and has been judging beer for CAMRA, SIBA and other beer competitions for over two decades. He has chaired CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain Final on several occasions. Bill is also knowledgeable on beer and brewery history and is CAMRA’s National Brewerianna Organiser as well as being active in helping to organise Watford Beer Festivals for many years.
Gillian Hough: Gillian has frequently been involved behind the scenes with CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain Competition, serving as a Regional CBoB Coordinator, ordering beer, and Chairing Panels as a trained CAMRA beer judge. Recently, Gillian was re-elected to serve as a National Executive member and appointed as CAMRA’s Vice Chair. She is also a Member of the British Guild of Beer Writers and a trained Pommelier.
Kevin Travers: Kevin is the Chair of CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain Coordination Group, which is responsible for overseeing the Competition. He looks after CAMRA’s London & South East Area for both the Champion Beer of Britain and CAMRA’s Tasting Panels. Kevin himself is a trained taster and also a trained trainer, delivering taste training to CAMRA members and others around the UK.
Chris Small: Chris is owner and head brewer at Burning Soul in Birmingham. Chris began as a home brewer before setting up the brewery with a friend in 2016. The brewery produces a range beers including includes sours, saisons, and very hoppy pales, alongside dark beers of all styles. Chris has judged several times in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain Competition at a national level.
Alison Douglas: Alison is the Managing Director and Laboratory Manager at BrewLab where she has worked for 25 years. Prior to this she managed the Microbiology Department at Vaux Brewery in Sunderland. BrewLab provides specialist assistance to the beer industry including training and laboratory services. The latter varies from testing a beer’s attributes, such as pH, ABV, colour and bitterness, to fault finding. They also assist on product development and yeast development.
Roger Protz: Roger is an internationally well-known beer writer and speaker with multiple awards. He writes occasionally for the Morning Advertiser and regularly for CAMRA’s BEER magazine and What’s Brewing. He is also a past editor of the Good Beer Guide and has published over 20 beer books. With a lifelong dedication to beer and beer education, he was also one of the founders of the British Guild of Beer Writers.
Category winners
Milds: Richard Roseblade, Brolly Wobbler (3.4%)
Session Bitters: Phill Turner, Harlequin and Jester Bitter (3.4%)
Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: Ian Benefell, Admiral Nelson (4.1%)
Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: Richard Roseblade, Sun’s out, Pints out (4.3%)
Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds: Richard Taylor, The Bishops Tripple (4.4%)
Session Stouts and Porters: Mark Robotham, Hogg End Porter Brew (4.4%)
Premium Bitters: Les Manley, The Full English (5.4%)
Speciality Beers – Differently Produced or Flavoured: Stuart Hubbard, Pink Octopus (5%)
British and New World IPAs: James Bailey, Because I’m Hoppy! (6.8%)
Barley Wines and Strong Ales: David Lutman, Delahop Ernest Asian Bitter (7.2%)
Strong Stouts and Porters including Imperial Stouts and Baltic Porters: Matthew Winter, Black Magic – Tropical Stout (7%)
