Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter, at 6.5 per cent ABV, has been crowned CAMRA’s Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2013 at the National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester. The panel of judges included beer writers, members of the licensed trade and CAMRA members.
The winning beer is described in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide 2013 as a creamy, full flavoured porter, with rich liquorice flavours and more than hint of hint of chocolate.
Nik Antona, CAMRA Director, praised the outstanding quality of the champion. He said:
“Porters should not be regarded as endangered beers, they are beers for today’s discerning drinkers. And on a cold day, 1872 Porter is a perfect winter warming beer. Elland Brewery 1872 Porter is a fine example of a modern day interpretation of one of this country’s classic beer styles. It’s gorgeous, drinkable, likeable and is highly recommended.”
Two-time winner
The West Yorkshire brewery first scooped the country’s top winter beer award in 2010, and Elland Brewery owner Martin Ogley said he was shocked to win the award again:
“I am gobsmacked, as I never expected this. There are so many great beers at the festival that it is remarkable for the judges to choose us again. “1872 Porter is our most award winning beer and I will now have to be ready to brew more of it.”
Also in the Overall awards, Silver went to Bartrams Brewery’s (Suffolk) Comrade Bill Bartram’s EAISS (Egalitarian Anti-Imperialist Soviet Stout) while the Bronze medal went to Kelburn Brewing’s (East Renfrewshire, Scotland) Dark Moor.