Tuesday 13 April 2010

Humpty Dumpty on top


Broadland Sunrise from Reedham-based brewery Humpty Dumpty has been named the Champion Beer of Norfolk 2010 by the Norwich and Norfolk branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

The 4.2% Best Bitter described as ‘Beautifully smooth with a swirling malt, hop, and fruit aroma’ emerged victorious from a year-long programme of beer tasting conducted by the Norfolk Taste Panel.

Organiser Alan Edwards explained “Members of the panel completed over 300 taste cards covering nearly 60 beers from nineteen Norfolk breweries. We are lucky to have around 30 breweries in the county and the panel tries to cover as many as possible.

"The panel were highly complementary of the quality and mix of flavours found in Broadland Sunrise. The beer faced strong competition but has emerged as a worthy winner."

Alan continued, “It is a triple success for the brewery as, apart from Broadland Sunrise scooping the Best Bitter and Overall Champion award, their Railway Sleeper and Norfolk Nectar were tops in the Strong Bitter and Speciality Beer categories.

"The brewery began in 1998 and now incorporates a shop at the brewery. Many of the beers are named after either railway or Norfolk themes.

"Six local breweries are award winners and it is hoped their success will give a boost to the branch ‘LocAle’ scheme which publicises pubs which always stock beers from breweries within 30 miles of the hostelry.”

Full Results:
Champion – Humpty Dumpty, Reedham: Broadland Sunrise
Bitter – Grain, Alburgh: Oak Best Bitter
Best Bitter – Humpty Dumpty, Reedham: Broadland Sunrise
Strong Bitter – Humpty Dumpty, Reedham: Railway Sleeper
Golden Ale – Wolf, Besthorpe: Golden Jackal
Speciality Beer – Humpty Dumpty, Reedham: Norfolk Nectar
Strong Mild – Chalk Hill, Norwich: Flintknappers Mild
Stout – Elmtree, Snetterton: Dark Horse Stout
Real Ale in a Bottle – Norfolk Square, Gt Yarmouth: Winklepicker