Old Freddy walks to festival glory

A brewery owned by a Californian has scooped the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) prestigious Champion Winter Beer of Britain award on the opening day of the National Winter Ales Festival, taking place in Norwich this year.

Following more than a year of local tasting panels and regional heats leading up to the finals, Old Freddy Walker (7.5 per cent ABV) from the Bristol-based Moor Beer Company impressed judges with its incredible balance of flavours. Moor brewery made CAMRA history earlier this year after producing the first real ale in a can, which has been accredited by CAMRA after vigorous testing at the Great British Beer Festival.

The Champion Winter Beer of Britain competition provides an opportunity to showcase the best traditional winter brews in the country, in categories including barley wine, strong old ales, porters and stouts.

The competition marks the first day of the National Winter Ales Festival, which is running from the 22-25 February at The Halls in Norwich. The Festival will feature a range of ales from traditional 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 Moor brewery for winning the Champion Winter Beer of Britain award for its Old Freddy Walker brew, which is one of the highest accolades in the beer world.

The judges were particularly impressed with the fantastic balance in this brew. It was a strong ale, with a rich flavour perfectly balanced between chocolate, honey, dark roasts and a hint of liquorice. It is a beer to sip and enjoy, particularly as a dessert.”

Justin Hawke from Moor Beer Company moved to the UK and bought a brewery after falling in love with beer while on military service in Germany. He says:

“We are absolutely thrilled to win the Champion Winter Beer of Britain award for the second time. Old Freddy Walker is a unique blend of a classic British beer combined with our own style of modern real ale. It’s fantastic that this style is consistently recognised by CAMRA and others around the world.”

This year’s silver went to Sulwath’s Black Galloway, while Magic Rock’s Dark Arts took home the bronze award. All three of the beers will be available to sample at the National Winter Ales Festival.

Champion Winter Beer of Britain winners

Overall

Gold – Moor – Old Freddy Walker (Bristol)

Silver – Sulwath Brewers – Black Galloway (Dumfries & Galloway)

Bronze – Magic Rock – Dark Arts (Huddersfield)

Barley Wine, Strong Old Ales

Gold – Moor - Old Freddy Walker

Silver – Green Jack - Ripper Tripel

Bronze – Orkney - Skull Splitter

Old Ales Strong Milds

Gold – The Grainstore Brewery - Rutland Beast

Silver – Sarah Hughes - Dark Ruby Mild

Bronze – Adnams – Old Ale joint with Old Dairy Brewery - Snow Top

Porters

Gold – Sulwath Brewers - Black Galloway

Silver – Elland Brewery – 1872 Porter

Bronze – Tavy Ales - Tavy Porter

Stouts

Gold – Magic Rock – Dark Arts

Silver – London Brewing Company – 100 Oysters Stout

Bronze – Loch Lomond – Silkie Stout