Great British Beer Festival : Champion Beer of Britain Announced

The 31st Great British Beer Festival at Earls Court, London, kicks off today, with a five day feast of over 450 real ales, ciders, perries and international beers.

The usual beer festival activities are on offer once again where you can play some traditional english pub games, enjoy live music, sample some good old fashioned pub snacks and also attend tutored beer tastings. And perhaps most importantly for the brewers of the Bristish Isles, the announcements for the esteemed Champion Beer of Britain are announced. 2005 and 2006 were double winning years for the Essex brewer, Crouch Vale, taking away the top gong with the sensational Brewers Gold, and 2007 was once again the year of the underrated Mild style of ale (Moorhouse's Black Cat was the last Mild to to take overall Gold in 2000), with Shropshire brewer, Hobsons taking the plaudits.

We are pleased to announce with super quick speed direct from London that this years major winners are: CBoB Gold: Altons Pride from Triple fff (Hampshire), Beckstones Black Dog Freddy's Mild was awarded silver overall with bronze going to Wickwar's Station Porter, the champion winter beer from earlier in the year.

Altons Pride has for many years been a great beer available throughout its local area and is most deserving. Congratulations also to Ray from Wickwar, a fellow stalwart from Matt Jacksons Wednesday Club in Bristol, onya Ray!