THESE ARE THE CHAMPION BEERS, MY FRIEND!

Following on from our previous article a couple of weeks ago about forthcoming Beer Festivals, we were delighted to be invited to the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival 2019 and be involved with the judging of the Champion Beer of Wales.   Relocated this year to the National Cricket Centre in Sophia Gardens Cardiff the event runs from Wednesday 16th October to Saturday 19th October 2019.

The initial rounds consist of various categories, with a few being done at various venues before-hand.   A wide demographic of judges are used, male, female, various age groups, people from trade like publicans, brewers and bloggers to keen volunteers in order to give a good representation of the British drinking public.

Following are the winners and runner-ups with Grey Trees Brewery in Aberdare once again flying the flag with 3 winners, following up their success at the Great British Beer Festival where they scooped Silver Supreme Champion.  A hearty congratulations also goes to a few other breweries getting into contention from the likes of Mad Dog with their superbly named Stouty McStoutface, Mumbles, Purple Moose and Cwrw Ial Community Brewing Company.

Mild
Winner – Rhymney Brewery, Dark
Runner Up – Facer’s Brewery, Mountain Mild

Old Ale/Strong Mild
Winner – The Untapped Brewing Company, Ember
Runner Up – Purple Moose Brewery/Bragdy Mŵs Piws, Dark Side of the Moose

Porter
Winner – Grey Trees Brewery, Valley Porter
Runner Up – Tiny Rebel Brewing Co., Stay Puft

Stout
Winner – Boss Brewing Company, Black
Runner Up – MadDog BrewingCo, Stouty McStout Face

Strong Bitters
Winner – Grey Trees Brewery, Afghan Pale Ale
Runner Up – Montys Brewery, Mischief

Judged at other Festivals:

Bitter
🥇inner – Rhymney Brewery, Hobby Horse

Best Bitter
Winner – Glamorgan Brewing Co., Jemima’s Pitchfork
Runner Up – Cwrw Ial Community Brewing Company, Kia Kaha!

Golden Ale
Winner – Grey Trees Brewery, Digger’s Gold

Speciality Ale
Winner – Mumbles Brewery Ltd, Oystermouth Stout

These beers will be going forward to the finals at the Great Welsh Beer Festival in April, where the overall winners will be crowned!  In the meantime the Great Welsh Beer Festival is open today 18th October and tomorrow Saturday 19th October for you to try these champion beers and many others.  Details can be found at www.gwbcf.info