Ruby Mild, which has an abv of 4.4%, is described in Camra’s Good Beer Guide 2009 as a ‘nutty, rich ruby ale, stronger than usual for a mild’.
The York-brewed real ale was chosen as the overall winner from more than 60 finalists in seven categories (Best Bitters, Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Speciality, Winter Beer and Strong Bitters) including beers from tiny micros to major regional brewers.
Roger Protz, chairman of the final judging panel, said: “It’s a tremendous boost for the mild category. It’s good to see a classic British traditional beer making such a comeback in the age of golden ales and much paler beers in general. The judges were impressed by rich, fruity character, and the fact that it’s quite hoppy and bitter for a mild ale. Its victory should invigorate the whole mild ale category.”
An elated Craig Lee, Rudgate’s brewery owner, said: “It’s an excellent achievement. We’ve come close in previous years, and we’re really proud to have won the Champion Beer of Britain. It’s unbelievable, and we hope our beer helps popularise the cause of real ale.”
Rudgate’s victory comes in the wake of new research from Camra showing 50% of adult drinkers have now tried real ale. This comes at a time when there are currently more than 670 brewers in the UK, more than at any other time since the second world war.
Camra’s research shows:
Over the last few years, Camra has concentrated its efforts on encouraging people to try real ale, as its previous research showed a high level of conversion among those who try it, with 40% converting to drinking it afterwards.
Further research from Camra shows that, out of all the consumers having tried real ale, 64% of people have tried a beer brewed in their local area, revealing why trade bodies such as the Society of Independent Brewers has reported a 7% year-on-year volume growth for local brewers for the last two years.
Champion Beer of Britain
Mild category 1. Rudgate, Ruby Mild (York, North Yorkshire) 2. Bank Top, Dark Mild (Bolton, Lancashire) 3. Highland, Dark Munro (Birsay, Orkney).
Bitter category 1. Surrey Hills, Ranmore Ale (Guildford, Surrey) 2. Butcombe, Bitter (Bristol, Avon) 3. (Joint Bronze) Humpty Dumpty, Little Sharpie (Reedham, Norfolk) 3. (Joint Bronze) Triple fff, Alton’s Pride (Alton, Hampshire).
Best Bitter category 1. Southport, Golden Sands (Southport, Merseyside) 2. Buntingford, Britannia (Royston, Hertfordshire) 3. (Joint Bronze) Evan Evans, Cwrw (Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire) 3. (Joint Bronze) Thornbridge, Lord Marples (Bakewell, Derbyshire) 3. (Joint Bronze) Vale, VPA (Brill, Buckinghamshire).
Golden Ale category 1.Dark Star, American Pale Ale (Ansty, West Sussex) 2. (Joint Silver) Adnams, Explorer (Southwold, Suffolk) 2. (Joint Silver) St Austell, Proper Job (St Austell, Cornwall).
Strong Bitter category 1. West Berkshire, Dr Hexter’s Healer (Thatcham, Berkshire) 2. Thornbridge, Kipling (Bakewell, Derbyshire) 3. Grain, Tamarind IPA (Harleston, Norfolk).
Speciality Beer category 1. Nethergate, Umbel Magna (Pentlow, Essex) 2. Wentworth, Bumble Beer (Wentworth, South Yorkshire) 3. Amber, Chocolate Orange Stout (Ripley, Derbyshire).
Winter Beer of Britain winner (announced in January 2009) 1. Oakham, Attila (Cambridgeshire)
Bottled Beer of Britain winners (Champion Bottled Beer of Britain competition sponsored by Travelodge) 1. Titanic, Stout (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire) 2. Great Gable, Yewbarrow (Gosforth, Cumbria) 3. White Shield Brewery, White Shield (Coors, Burton-on-Trent).
Source: Camra
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