Brass Castle, St Austell and Weil Beer Company were given the top honours at the annual National Beer Competition 2015 hosted by The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) at its BeerX celebration of British beer in Sheffield.
A Supreme Champion title went to Brass Castle Brewery of Malton, Yorkshire for its Burnout in the National Cask Beer Competition; St Austell Brewery for Big Job in the National Bottled Beer Competition; and Wild Beer Company of Evercreech in Somerset for Madness IPA in the National Keg Beer Competition.
The winners were selected by a judging panel made up from industry experts, local licensees, beer writers and drinkers from around 150 finalist beers from regional competitions.
SIBA chairman Guy Sheppard said: “With close to 800 brewers now members of SIBA, competition for our awards is fierce and all our winners can be very proud of their achievement. We congratulate them on brewing beers that have been judged as the best in the country and wish them every success within the vibrant, innovative British brewing industry.”
“For many of our winners and finalists, the BeerX Festival of Beer is a unique opportunity to put their beers in front of new drinkers outside their heartland. Helping our members to expand distribution of their beers has always been one of SIBA’s key goals and we hope that BeerX results in additional sales for many of them.”
Rob Orton, brewing team leader at St Austell Brewery said: “Our head brewer Roger Ryman has created an amazing beer in Big Job, and it’s gratifying to have that recognised. It’s building a following and, as we plan to offer Big Job as a cask ale more frequently, this award will definitely increase interest from pubs.”
Ian Goodall, business director of Brass Castle Brewery, said, “Brass Castle started just four years ago as a one barrel brewery, so we’ve come a long way. Winning awards is always wonderful, but it’s particularly gratifying to win a SIBA Award because it is voted for by fellow brewers and industry peers. We do a lot of beer swaps with brewers in other areas, distributing their beers in return for them taking some of ours, and I’m now expecting my phone to be ringing off the hook.”
