Tiny Rebel's Cwtch crowned Champion Beer of Britain

Campaign for Real Ale’s event at Olympia, London saw the Newport ale crowned overall winner following regional heats and tasting panels.

Co-founder of the brewery Bradley Cummings described Cwtch, which means cuddle in Welsh: “We were brought up on real ale and we love traditional styles. Cwtch is our modern version of a traditional bitter, with extra hopping for a more pronounced bitterness and aroma.

'Ultimate'​

“It’s new world and old world all in one.”

Tiny rebel fought off winners in other categories of bitters, best bitters, strong bitters, golden ales, milds, the specialty class and also the winter beer styles of porter, stouts, barley wines and old ales, and strong old ales and strong milds.

This including beers from both small microbrewers and large regional brewers.

Head brewer Gareth Williams said what it meant to win: “I feel like I’m dreaming! This is the ultimate award to win in our eyes and after winning at the Great Welsh a few years ago this feels even better. It’s just a crazy feeling and we’re massively proud.”

This year's Silver went to Kelburn, Jaguar (Renfrewshire) whilst the Bronze award went to Dancing Duck, Dark Drake (Derby).

All three of the beers are available at the Great British Beer Festival this week.

Prestigious​

Nik Antona, director of the award, said: “The Champion Beer of Britain title is the most coveted titles in British beer, for over 30 years brewers have put forward their real ale in the hope it will win and this year Tiny Rebel’s Cwtch is a very worthy winner of this prestigious award”

Tiny Rebel’s triumph means that 15 of the last 16 CBOB winners have been brewed by SIBA members, who have also dominated the list of class winners every year.

SIBA managing director Mike Benner said, “We are of course delighted that this year’s Champion Beer of Britain is again a SIBA member and congratulate Tiny Rebel. To progress through CAMRA’s local tasting panels, regional beer judging and then today’s final judging is a tremendous achievement.

“SIBA brewers continue to win the top prizes at GBBF year after year, thanks to their commitment to producing quality, great-tasting beers that represent the very best of British craft brewing today." 

Overall winners​

Gold – Tiny Rebel, Cwtch

Silver – Kelburn, Jaguar

Bronze – Dancing Duck, Dark Drake

Mild ​

Gold – Williams Bros, Black

Silver – Rudgate, Ruby Mild

Bronze – Great Orme, Welsh Black

Bitter ​

Gold – Pheasantry, Best Bitter

Silver – Acorn, Barnsley Bitter

Joint Bronze – Purple Moose, Madog’s Ale & Timothy Taylor, Boltmaker

Best Bitter​

Gold – Tiny Rebel, Cwtch  

Silver – Highland, Scapa Special

Joint Bronze – Barngates, Tag Lag & Salopian, Darwin’s Origin

Golden Ale​

Gold – Kelburn, Jaguar

Silver – Adnams, Explorer

Bronze – Blue Monkey, Infinity

Strong Bitter​

Gold – Dark Star, Revelation

Silver – Salopian, Golden Thread

Bronze – Grain, India Pale Ale

Speciality Beer ​

Gold – Titanic, Plum Porter

Joint Silver – Kissingate, Black Cherry Mild & Saltaire, Triple Chocolate

Bronze – Hanlons, Port Stout

Champion Winter Beer of Britain ​
(from category winners announced in January 2015)​

Porter - Elland Brewery

Stout – Dancing Duck, Dark Drake

Barley Wines and Strong Old Ales – Lees, Moonraker

Old Ales and Strong Milds – Purple Moose

Champion Bottled Beer of Britain winners​ 
(Sponsored by Beer Hawk)

Gold – Harveys, Imperial Extra Double Stout

Silver – Fyne Ales, Superior India Pale Ale

Bronze – Mordue, India Pale Ale