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Cairngorm Brewery in Aviemore took home Silver in CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Beer of Britain 2026
CAMRA has let the cat out of the bag with an expert judging panel going wild for a premium bitter, Wildcat (5.1%), by Scottish brewer Cairngorm, which has fought off competitors to be named overall Silver in the UK’s most trusted beer competition – the Champion Beer of Britain.
The Champion Beer of Britain 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, with judging taking two years to complete. Each year kicks off with individual nominations from CAMRA members, volunteer tasting panels, and then regional competitions. Every round of judging, including the final at Cambridge Beer Festival, uses a strict blind tasting policy.
Cairngorm is no stranger to CAMRA awards. Along with Wildcat being awarded overall Silver, and Gold in the Premium Bitter category, its decorated session stout, Black Gold (4.4%), also won Gold in the Session Stouts and Porters category. Black Gold has previously claimed the overall Champion Winter Beer of Britain title in 2025 and has achieved the Champion Beer of Scotland four times.
Grinning like the cat got the cream, Samantha Faircliff, Managing Director of Cairngorm said:
“It is absolutely brilliant to get overall Silver in the Champion Beer of Britain competition with Wildcat, alongside winning Gold with Wildcat for Premium Bitter, and Gold for Black Gold in the Session Stout and Porters categories. Two years on the trot, along with similar wins in the CAMRA Winter Beer of Britain competition, is a real testimony to the consistency and the quality of the beers that Head Brewer Liam Anderson and the team are producing here in Aviemore. We would like to sincerely thank CAMRA and its members for their continued support.”
Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain Judging Coordinator described Wildcat as having:
“Toffee, malt hops and a little orange on the nose, with flavours of 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.”
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Notes to editors:
Images of the award announcement, winning beer and pump clip are here.
Overall Champion Beer of Britain: Gold, Silver and Bronze winners
Gold: Bristol Beer Factory, Independence, 4.6%
Silver: Cairngorm, Wildcat, 5.1%
Bronze: Driftwood Spars, Alfie’s Revenge, 6.5%
All the category winners are here.
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.
