The first stage of voting for the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) next Champion Beer of Britain has officially opened.
CAMRA members are invited to have their say on which beers are the ‘cream of the crop’ before 1st November. Champion Beer of Britain is one of the most coveted real ale competitions in the world. The current holder of the title is Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter.
Beer lovers now have until 1st November to make their submission on CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain platform. They can choose up to five beers across each of several new categories (see below). This will take place alongside a series of vigorous regional heats throughout 2024, culminating in the final judging and announcement on the trade day of the Great British Beer Festival 2024.
All the heats and the final round of judging adhere to a strict blind tasting policy, says CAMRA.
This initial vote is exclusive to CAMRA members. They are also invited to train up as beer judges to take part in regional heats and national finals.
“I am very excited to announce the return of the Champion Beer of Britain competition,” said CAMRA awards director, Laura Emson. “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.”
The beer style classes
- 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 and 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
