CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today announced that the Highland brewery's (of Birsay, Orkney) Orkney Blast has been crowned 'Champion Beer of Scotland' for 2010 at the Scottish Real Ale Festival, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh. The Festival runs from today until Saturday June 26th.
Orkney Blast, a 6% ABV strong bitter, is described in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide as 'having a mushroom and woody aroma that blossoms into a well-balanced smack of malt and hop in the taste.' Highland brewery's success today at the Festival is the culmination of months of CAMRA branch recommendations and tasting sessions in the quest to find the best beer in Scotland!
Runner up in this year's competition was the Black Isle brewery's (of Munlochy, Ross-shire) Hibernator Oatmeal Stout, while third place went to the Cairngorm brewery's (of Aviemore, Highlands) Black Gold.
Judging the final entrants this year were a panel of CAMRA members, brewers and beer writers.
A delighted Rob Hill, Highland brewery owner, on hearing the results, said:
'Life a blast! It's about as good as it gets. It's the third time we've won this award, and it's a great achievement. You don't often get a beer of this type winning such awards, therefore we are so happy to win. We've just expanded our brewing unit here - I'm chasing quality, and looking forward to winning more awards!'
Bob Wallace, CAMRA's Scottish Real Ale Festival organiser, praised the quality of this year's finalists. He said:
'The growth of the real ale market in Scotland makes this competition harder to judge by the year. There were some fantastic examples of all different beer styles on show in this competition today, and we can't wait for the thirsty punters in the Festival hall to give them or any of the other 140 real ales a try at the Assembly Rooms this week'
For more information on the Scottish Real Ale Festival, please visit www.scottishbeerfestival.org.uk
ENDS
For further information:
Bob Wallace, CAMRA Scottish Real Ale Festival organiser, 07929 990972
Highland Brewing Co, Swannay Brewery, Swannay by Evie, Birsay, Orkney, KW17 2NP, 01856 721700
Black Isle Brewery, Old Allengrange, Munlochy, Ross-Shire, IV8 8NZ, 01463 811871
Cairngorm Brewery Co, Unit 12, Dalfaber Industrial Estate, Aviemore, Highlands, PH22 1ST, 01479 812222
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