North-west Porter steals the Derby show

Dunham Porter at 5.2% ABV, brewed by Dunham Massey Brewery (Altrincham, Greater Manchester), has today been crowned CAMRA's Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2014 by a panel of judges at the National Winter Ales Festival in Derby, which begins today (19 February) at the city’s Roundhouse venue. 

The winning beer is described as a classic old-style English porter; creamy, full-bodied and packed with flavour. It is the second year a porter has won the overall Champion Winter Beer of Britain.

Dunham Massey owner John Costello, had this to say on the win:

“We’re made up!  We are a relatively new brewery who love making traditional styles like porters, milds and stouts, and I thought our porter would do well but I can’t believe we’ve won overall Champion – I’m over the moon. The CAMRA [Champion Winter Beer of Britain] awards mean everything to us. It’s the highest accolade a dark beer can earn.”

The Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition judges the best of the best in terms of classic winter warmers – from thick, rich, dark porters and stouts, to sweet and strong barley wines.

A panel of beer writers, members of the licensed trade and CAMRA members judged the competition. Nik Antona, Champion Winter Beer of Britain Director, had this to say on the importance of the competition:

“The Winter Beer of Britain competition has been given even greater significance in recent years, with the last two winners going on to win the overall Champion Beer of Britain held at the Great British Beer Festival in the summer, proving these once lesser-known styles are perfect for drinking all year round.“

Drinkers at the National Winter Ales Festival will now be able to sample the winning brews, as well as a selection of more than 400 beers, ciders and perries.

*Runners-up in the competition were Exe Valley Winter Glow, Cairngorm Black Gold and Kinver Over the Edge. In a separate competition for East Midlands beers, the winner was Welbeck Abbey Portland Black.