Champion Beer of Britain competition returns

The first stage of voting for the Campaigns for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) next Champion Beer of Britain has officially opened, and CAMRA members are invited to have their say on which beers are the ‘cream of the crop’ before 1 November 2023.

The Champion Beer of Britain award is one of the most coveted real ale competitions in the world. Winning the prestigious title is the ultimate honour for UK breweries and has helped many brewers gain both national and international acclaim.

At the most recent Great British Beer Festival in August 2023, the competition returned for the first time since the pandemic, bestowing Elland Brewery’s ‘1872 Porter’ the illustrious award. Previous winners including Surrey Hills’ ‘Shere Drop’ and Siren Craft Brew’s ‘Broken Dream Breakfast Stout’.

Beer lovers now have until the 1st of November to make their submission on CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain platform, and can choose up to five beers across each of the new categories. This will take place alongside a series of rigorous regional heats, culminating in the final judging and announcement at the Trade Day of Great British Beer Festival 2025. All the heats and the final round of judging adhere to a strict blind tasting policy.

This initial vote is exclusive to CAMRA members. As well as getting to vote for their favourite beers, a CAMRA membership also provides a host of benefits, from enjoying social events organised by a local CAMRA branch and volunteering at beer festivals, to taking part in grassroots campaigning efforts. Join the Campaign here. CAMRA members are also invited to train up as beer judges to take part in regional heats and national finals, giving them the unique opportunity to sample some of the very best beers from across the UK. Sign up to become a taste panellist here.

CAMRA Awards Director Laura Emson says: “I am very excited to announce the return of the Champion Beer of Britain competition. The award undoubtably is the grandest of accolades a brewer can hope to receive. The declaration of the winner at the Great British Beer festival is always one of the major highlights of the event.

“CAMRA members will be able to vote using our special voting portal, and in a range of different categories, from milds to bitters, IPAs to barley wines, and more! We’re now urging all members to take part in the process. If you’re not a member, why not join the Campaign today to nominate your favourite pint and enjoy all the benefits of a CAMRA membership too?”

Notes to editors:

Voting is now open and available to CAMRA members at: https://cbob.camra.org.uk/

To join CAMRA and have your say, visit: https://camra.org.uk/join/

CAMRA Beer style categories now cover:

• Milds: up to and including 4% ABV
• Session Bitters: up to and including 4.3% ABV
• Premium Bitters: 4.4% – 6.4% ABV
• Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: up to and including 4.3% ABV
• Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales: 4.4% – 6.4% ABV
• British & New World IPAs: 5.5% and above
• Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds: Up to 6.4%
• Session Stouts and Porters: up to and including 4.9% ABV
• Strong Stouts and Porters including Imperial Stouts and Baltic Porters: 5.0% ABV and above
• Barley Wines and Strong Ales: 6.5% and above
• Speciality Beers – Differently produced
• Speciality Beers – Flavoured

You can read more in-depth about the categories in the Beer Style guide leaflet.

To sign up as a CAMRA beer judge please contact volunteer.services@camra.org.uk or visit https://camra.org.uk/what-we-do/champion-beer-of-britain/