Alton's Pride crowned Champion Beer of Britain

04-Aug-2008 - Last updated on 28-Aug-2011 at 06:47 GMT

Related tags Great british beer British beer festival Beer

Alton's Pride has today been named the 2008 Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF). The 3.8 per cent ABV beer, brewed by...

Alton's Pride has today been named the 2008 Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF).

The 3.8 per cent ABV beer, brewed by Triple fff in Hampshire, was crowned overall winner during the festival's trade session, sponsored by The Publican.

Graham Trott, head brewer of Triple fff brewery said: "We are over the moon and delighted to put Alton as a brewery back on the map. I would like to thank everyone who is connected with the brewery and we look forward to more people enjoying our winning beer."

It is descibed in the 2008 beer guide as a "clean-tasting, golden brown beer, full-bodied for its strength with an aroma of floral hops. An initial malty flavour fades as citrus notes and hoppiness take over, leading to a hoppy, bitter finish."

Beckstones Black Dog Freddy's was awarded second place overall with third place going to Wickwar's Station Porter, which was voted champion winter beer earlier this year.

A panel of expert judges, including members of The Publican editorial team, helped decide on the winners.

The GBBF, organised by consumer group the Campaign for Real Ale, runs until Saturday at London's Earls Court, with around 65,000 people expected to visit.

The category winners were:

Mild

Gold - Beckstones, Black Dog Freddy (Cumbria)

Silver - Rudgate, Ruby Mild (York)

Bronze - Rhymney, Dark (Merthyr Tydfil)

Bitter

Gold - Triple fff, Alton's Pride (Hampshire)

Silver - Lees, Bitter (Manchester)

Joint Bronze - Jarrow, Rivet Catcher (Tyne & Wear) and Surrey Hills, Ranmore Ale (Surrey)

Best Bitter

Gold - Skinner's, Betty Stogs (Cornwall)

Silver - Highland, Scapa Special (Orkney)