The National Winter Ales Festival,
New Century House, Corporation Street, Manchester -
Wednesday 18th - Saturday 21st January 2006
Issued: For immediate use - CAMRA.ORG.UK 19JAN2006
A Over T from Hogs Back Brewery, Surrey was today named as the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2006 by a panel of judges at CAMRA's national winter celebration of beer.
A Over T, which stand for Aromas Over Tongham, is barley wine of a deep tawny colour and is complex and powerful yet well balanced. The beer has fruity notes with hints of chocolate and raisins
At the announcement, Steve Prescott, Organiser of the National Winter Ales Festival congratulated Hogs Back on their victory. He said, "Congratulations to Hogs Back. A Over T is a fantastic Barley Wine that fully deserves this accolade. I hope this will encourage more beer drinkers to try this style of beer.”
Prescott continued, ”It is also excellent news that Gales Festival Mild won the national Silver award. We hope this recognition will encourage Fuller’s to continue brewing this excellent brew at Horndean in Hampshire.”
On hearing the news Tony Stanton Marketing Manager for Hogs Back Brewery said, "A over T is our flagship dark strong ale at 9% ABV and is our king of ales too. At Hogs Back we have always been proud of our range of winter dark ales and having the opportunity to exhibit at Manchester and win the national title was amazing”.
The Bronze award went to Goff’s Black Knight, Gloucestershire.
A panel of CAMRA experts and beer writers at the National Winter Ales Festival (New Century House, Manchester) judged the competition. Drinkers at the festival, which opened yesterday and will run until 21st January, can sample the winners as well as try over 200 Old Ales, Milds, Stouts, Porters, Barley Wines and Bitters.
Notes to Editors
Descriptions taken from 'Dictionary of Beer':
Stout - One of the classic types of ale, a successor in fashion to 'porter'. Usually a very dark, heavy, well-hopped bitter ale, with a dry palate, thick creamy head, and a good grainy taste.
Porter - A dark, slightly sweetish but hoppy ale made with roasted barley; the successor of 'entire' and predecessor of stout. Porter originated in London around 1730, and by the end of the 18th century was probably the most popular beer in England.
Old Ale - Now virtually synonymous with 'winter ale'. Most 'old ales' are produced and sold for a limited time of the year, usually between November and the end of February. Usually a rich, dark, high-gravity draught ale of considerable body.
Barley Wine - a strong, rich and sweetish ale, usually over 1060 OG, dark in colour, with high condition and a high hop rate.
National Winter Ales Festival 2006
Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2006
SUPREME CHAMPION
1st – A over T: Hogs Back (Surrey)
2nd – Festival Mild: Gale’s (Horndean, Hampshire)
3rd – Black Knight: Goff’s (Cheltenham, Glos)
CATEGORY WINNERS
Old Ales & Strong Mild Category
Gold – Festival Mild: Gales (Horndean, Hampshire)
Silver – Black Knight: Goff’s (Cheltenham, Glos)
Bronze – Dark Island: Orkney (Stromness Orkney)
Stouts & Porters
Gold – Knoll Street Porter: Bazen’s (Salford)
Silver – London Porter: Fullers (Chiswick, London)
Bronze – Festivity: Bath (Warmley, Bristol)
Barley Wines
Gold – AOT: Hog’s Back (Tongham, Surrey)
Silver – Cuillen Beast: Isle of Skye (Uig, IoS)
Bronze – Old Tom: Robinson’s (Stockport)