Rural Surrey brewery wins Champion Beer of Britain award

For more information contact press@camra.org.uk or call 01727 337 863

A brewery located in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has come out top in a competition to name the best beer in Britain, according to CAMRA.

The Champion Beer of Britain 2019 competition is one of the most prestigious and well-recognised beer awards. Hosted by CAMRA, it takes place on the opening day of the Great British Beer Festival (6-10 August, Olympia London).

‘Shere Drop’ is a former winner in two different categories and took home bronze in 2010. Described as pale in colour with a subtle hint of grapefruit and lemon in the aroma, the wonderful hop bitterness is complemented by a balanced malt flavour.

The Champion Beer of Britain is the culmination of almost a year of local tasting panels and regional heats, recognising the very best in British beer. Final judging for the competition is held at the opening of CAMRA’s flagship beer festival, which sees over 40,000 visitors through the door to sample nearly a thousand different beers, ciders, perries, wines and gins.

Ross Hunter, director of Surrey Hills Brewery, said: “I am absolutely elated. We have reached the final a number of times, which is most important as it means we are consistently producing quality beers - which is our top goal! To win the gold overall is a fantastic achievement. I am just speechless!”

Nik Antona, CAMRA's National Chairman says: "Congratulations to Surrey Hills Brewery for winning the Champion Beer of Britain award for its Shere Drop, which is the highest beer accolade in the country. The judges were particularly impressed with the malty flavour and long finish. A very worthy winner."

Bronze place in the Champion Beer of Britain competition was taken by Oakham Ales, based in Peterborough, for their session IPA Citra. Oakham are regulars in the Champion Beer of Britain competition and took home the silver award in 2014, 2009 and 1999 as well as gold in 2001.

Silver place was won by Grey Trees Brewery’s Afghan IPA, a previous winner of the Strong Bitters category, taking first place in 2017. Grey Trees is based in Aberdare in South Wales.

Full list of Champion Beer of Britain categories and winners:

OVERALL:

SILVER: Afghan Pale, Grey Trees

GOLD: Shere Drop, Surrey Hills

MILDS:

Bronze: Magg's Magnificent Mild, West Berkshire

Silver: Malt Shovel Mild, Fernandes

Gold: Gravediggers, Church End

STRONG BITTERS:

Bronze: Fallen Angel, Church End

Silver: Iron Duke, Irving

Gold: Afghan Pale, Grey Trees

SPECIALITY:

Bronze: Brazillian Coffee & Vanilla Porter, Colchester

Silver: Chocolate Guerilla, Blue Monkey

Gold: Vanilla Stout, Binghams

GOLDEN ALES:

JOINT Bronze: Heart & Soul, Vocation

                         Prince Bishop Ale, Big Lamp

Silver: Pale, Five Points

Gold: Citra, Oakham

BEST BITTERS:

JOINT Bronze: Preservation Fine Ale, Castle Rock

                         Darwin’s Origin, Salopian

Silver: Trawler Boys, Green Jack

Gold: Shere Drop, Surrey Hills

BITTERS:

JOINT Bronze: Edith Cavell, Wolf

                         Laughing Gravy, Ulverston

Silver: Hobby Horse, Rhymney

Gold: Ay Up, Dancing Duck