Green Jack Brewery's Ripper was today named as the supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2007 by a panel of judges at CAMRA's National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester.
The 8.5% abv barley wine was described as “A light coloured beer brewed as a homage to Belgian trappist ales, with sweet notes and a strong hoppy flavour.”
At the announcement, Steve Prescott, Organiser of the National Winter Ales Festival congratulated Green Jack on its victory. He said, "It's great to see a barley wine win the competition yet again. I sincerely hope people will be inspired to try this fantastic beer style on the back of Green Jack's victory.”
On hearing the news, Green Jack Head Brewer Tim Dunford said: “This is absolutely incredible. All my life it has been my ambition to win a national award for my beers and I can't believe it has happened.”
The Silver award went to Fuller's London Porter and the Bronze to Orkney Skullsplitter.
A panel of CAMRA experts and beer writers at the National Winter Ales Festival (New Century Hall, Manchester) judged the competition. Drinkers at the festival, which opened yesterday and will run until January 20th, can sample the winners as well as try over 200 old ales, milds, stouts, porters, barley wines and bitters.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Descriptions taken from CAMRA's '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 2007: Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2007
SUPREME CHAMPION
Gold - Green Jack, Ripper (Lowestoft, Suffolk, contact Tim Dunford 07913 053540)
Silver - Fuller's London Porter (Chiswick, London, Tel 020 89962000)
Bronze - Orkney, Skullsplitter (Stromness, Orkney, Tel 01856 841802)
CATEGORY WINNERS
Old Ales & Strong Mild Category
Gold - B&T: Black Dragon Mild (Bedfordshire)
Silver - Orkney: Dark Island (Orkney)
Bronze - Rudgate: Ruby Mild (North Yorkshire)
Stouts & Porters
Gold - Fuller's: London Porter (London)
Silver - Cairngorm: Black Gold (Aviemore, Highlands)
Bronze - St Peter's: Old Style Porter (Suffolk)
Barley Wines
Gold - Orkney, Skullsplitter (Orkney)
Silver - Green Jack, Ripper (Lowestoft, Suffolk)
Bronze - Durham: Benedictus (Co Durham)
For more information:
National Winter Ales Festival Co-ordinator and CAMRA Director Steve Prescott: 01942 719037 or 0795 2418160.
CAMRA Press Office 01727 798443.
CAMRA Senior Press and Marketing Manager Tony Jerome on 01727 798444 or 07736948186.
Opening times & prices
Wednesday 17th January 5.30 pm - 10:30pm £3 - NUS, OAP & other concessionary £2
Thursday 18th January 4.30 pm - 10:30pm £3
Friday 19th January 12 noon - 5pm £3 Note - no access to downstairs bar
Friday 19th January 5 pm - 10:30pm £4
Saturday 20th January 12 noon - 10:30pm
CAMRA members £1 off at all times
Please visit the National Winter Ales Festival website at
www.winterales.uku.co.uk