Baltic Trader by Green Jack Brewing is crowned the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain

In a closely fought competition, Baltic Trader (10.5%) has been awarded the CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Bottled Beer of Britain award. The annual competition recognises the best bottle-conditioned real ales in the country.

Judges described the Extra Strong Export Stout as a ruby black strong stout with a stunning oyster head. It had dark roast, black treacle and currants on the nose with alcohol and a very rich smooth mouthfeel. Dry black chocolate, hints of cherry, caramelised fruits and a growing bitter roasty finish that is sweet and lingering. A beer to be savoured.

The well-deserved runners up included Dhustone Stout (4.3%) by Hobsons Brewery who scooped silver and McGregor’s Mild (3.8%) by Five Kingdoms Brewery took home the bronze award.

Announced at the Great British Beer Festival following the grand final with a panel of esteemed judges, previous judging rounds included a series of local member voting rounds and regional judging competitions throughout the year.

Tim Dunford, owner of Green Jack Brewing said, “Thank you to all who voted for Baltic Trader, a lifetime achievement has been met. This is one of the highlights in 30 years of brewing. The team and I are beyond pleased. Another great accolade for Green Jack!”

Laura Emson of CAMRA’s National Executive, who made the announcement, said: “Huge congratulations to this year’s worthy winner of the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain award. Celebrating bottled conditioned cask beer is important; by giving consumers more choice, while offering brewers across the country more opportunities to get a wider range of drinks to the public. As ever the dedication, professionalism and hard work put into bottled beer by brewery teams across the country was evident from the high-quality beers judged this year.

“Bottled and canned beer offers such a wide range of choice and options, giving vitally important choice to real ale lovers across the UK. Congratulations to our very deserved runners up this year; the quality this year has been amazing. I look forward to seeing these bottled beers in pubs, clubs and tap rooms across the country.”

CAMRA has its bottle and canned accreditation scheme, dubbed ‘One to Try’ to support more breweries producing ‘live beer’ and making it easier for brewers to sign up.

Ends 

Notes to editors

List of Champion Bottled Beer of Britain winner and runner ups.

Overall Winners

Gold: Baltic Trader (10.5%), Green Jack Brewing

Silver: Dhustone Stout (4.3%), Hobsons Brewery

Bronze: McGregor’s Mild (3.8%), Five Kingdoms Brewery

Category Winners

Beers 4.3% and below 

Gold: Table Beer (3%), The Kernel Brewery

Silver: McGregor’s Mild (3.8%), Five Kingdoms Brewery

Bronze: Dhustone Stout (4.3%), Hobsons Brewery

Beers 4.4% abv and above 

Gold: Baltic Trader (10.5%), Green Jack Brewing

Silver: 1845 (6.3%), Fuller’s

Bronze: Elsie Mo (4.7%), Castle Rock Brewery