Timothy Taylor's Boltmaker is Champion Beer of Britain 2014
The bitter was announced as the winner by Iron Maiden frontman, Bruce Dickinson, on the opening day of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA)’s festival.
Oakham Ales' Citra took silver while Salopian’s Darwin's Origin was awarded bronze.
Announcing the result Dickinson backed CAMRA’s calls for greater planning protection for pubs.
He also criticised companies turning pubs into “places where people can just be hooligans”.
He added: “They take all the furniture out and you can just do lots of stupid shots of Vodka Red Bull or whatever. I’m really old-fashioned and traditional about things. I like a pub where you can get a really nice pint of beer and where you don’t have to shout over some awful music that’s been inflicted on you.”
Tiomthy Taylor head brewer Peter Eells said: “I’m speechless. We work very hard to produce great beers and we really believe this is the best beer we can brew – so to have it acknowledged in such an important competition is absolutely fantastic.”
Managing director Charles Dent added: “We’re absolutely delighted. It’s our favourite, it’s the brewers favourite, it’s the beer that you drink if you’re drinking with us and it’s named after one of our favourite pubs – The Boltmakers.”
The full list of winners were:
Overall winners
Gold: Timothy Taylor - Boltmaker
Silver: Oakham Ales - Citra
Bronze: Salopian - Darwin’s Origin
Dark and Light Milds
Bronze: Castle Rock – Black Gold
Silver: Branscombe Vale – Mild
Gold: Bank Top – Dark Mild
Bitters
Joint bronze: Sambrooks – Wandle Ale AND Flowerpots – Flowerpots Bitter
Silver: Mighty Oak – Captain Bob
Gold: Timothy Taylor – Boltmaker
Best Bitters
Joint bronze: Langton – Inclined Plane Bitter AND Purity – Mad Goose
Silver: RedWillow – Directionless
Gold: Salopian – Darwin’s Origin
Golden Ales
Bronze: Salopian – Hop Twister
Silver: Hawkshead – Cumbrian Five Hop
Gold: Oakham – Citra
Strong Bitters
Bronze: Loch Ness – HoppyNESS
Silver: Blue Monkey – Ape Ale
Gold: Church End –Fallen Angel
Speciality Beers
Bronze: Peak Ales – Chatsworth Gold
Silver: Offbeat – Way Out Wheat
Gold: Saltaire – Triple Chocaholic
Real Ale in a Bottle
Bronze: Spire – Prince Igor IRS
Silver: St Austell – Proper Job
Gold: Marble – Chocolate Marble
