Lacons Brewery’s Audit scoops gold in winter beer competition

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Lacons Brewery has scooped gold in CAMRA’s Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition with ‘Audit Ale’, an 8% ABV Barley Wine packed with berry fruit and spices.

Following over a year of local tasting panels and regional heats, Audit Ale impressed judges for its enticing aroma of marmalade and peach. It was described as “incredibly well-rounded, with not a harsh bone in its body and the perfect balance of flavour”.

Only available on limited release, Audit Ale was named after a number of Cambridge and Oxford University colleges celebrated the end of their annual audits with the special brew. By popular demand, it was exported to the USA in champagne-style bottles from 1937.

The Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition marks the first day of the Great British Beer Festival Winter, which is running from 19-23 February at The Halls in Norwich. It provides an opportunity to showcase the best traditional winter brews in the country, out of categories such as barley wines, strong old ales and stouts.

The Great British Beer Festival Winter features a range of ales from dark, strong winter ales to light hoppy ales. Visitors will have the chance to enjoy live music and visit local pubs across the city centre, which will be extending the festivities outside the Halls with “Fringe” events such as brewery tours and pub quizzes.

Nick Boley, CAMRA’s National Director responsible for the competition, says: “Congratulations to Lacons Brewery for winning the Champion Winter Beer of Britain award, which is one of the highest accolades in the beer world. Lacons takes the crown this year because Audit displayed an all-around great character. One judge even said they were ‘completely sold’ despite not being a barley wine drinker!

“I would like to thank all the judges for their hard work and commend the brewers on the high quality of beers tasted. It was a very close competition and a well-deserved winner.”

Ivan Brooks, Sales Director of Lacons, said: “We’re just absolutely blown away. We’ve come so far in such a short amount of time – it’s just amazing. We’re over the moon.”

Chris Everett, Brewery Manager of Lacons, added: “This is a fantastic result – long may it continue!”

This year’s silver award went to Calverley’s ‘Porter’ while Harviestoun’s ‘Old Engine Oil’ took home the bronze. All three beers will be available to sample throughout the Great British Beer Festival Winter this week.