Norwich & District CAMRA’s tasting panel have carefully deliberated over some of the finest bottled beers and have selected the very best of Norfolk.
The overall Gold winner has now been revealed as Lacons Audit Ale, a dark copper barley wine bursting with marmalade, berry and spice aromas and flavours.
Brewed by the Great Yarmouth based Lacons Brewery, Audit Ale has been named the Champion Bottled Beer of Norfolk 2021.
The 8.0% strong barley wine stood out for judges who described it as having ‘Honey, marmalade and a sweet maltiness with a bitter edge’, and was given the accolade after a year-long series of tastings by members of the local Tasting Panel.
Lacons also scooped second place, for their Imperial Stout, inspired by stronger recipes from Lacons’ past, with mighty malt flavours; this beer was described by judges as ‘A kaleidoscope of malt, caramel and dried fruit with dark chocolate throughout.’
Overall third place was claimed by the new Birdhouse Brewery with their Mild. This is the first time this West Norfolk producer has featured in the awards – with one of the brewery’s original beers, a traditional mild, full of favour.
Panel chair Alan Edwards explained: ‘Real ale in a bottle has been the only way to enjoy the many quality Norfolk-brewed beers recently, due to pub closures and restrictions due to the Covid pandemic. It has also enabled many breweries to survive.’
Many of Norfolk’s 45 breweries produce Real Ale In a Bottle (RAIB). All were invited to enter the competition. Alan went on to add ‘The number of beers judged is only part of the rich portfolio available to Norfolk drinkers.
‘There are beers to suit all tastes, and we encourage ale-lovers to try them! CAMRA is part of the battle to preserve our rich pub and brewery heritage and we urge all appreciators to do their part in supporting local pubs and breweries.’
The full list of category winners:
OVERALL
1ST Lacons Brewery Audit Ale - Great Yarmouth
RUNNER UP Lacons Brewery Imperial Stout - Great Yarmouth
THIRD Birdhouse Brewery Mild - Downham Market
MILDS
1ST Birdhouse Brewery Mild - Downham Market
SESSION BITTERS
1ST Humpty Dumpty Brewery Humpty Dumpty Ale - Reedham
PREMIUM BITTERS
1ST Elmtree Brewery Snetterton Scary Tree - Snetterton
IPAs
1ST Elmtree Brewery Top of the Hop - Snetterton
SESSION PALE, BLONDE & GOLDEN ALES
1ST Two Rivers Brewery Happy Hopper - Denver
RUNNER UP Tindall Brewery Summer Loving - Seething
PREMIUM PALE, BLONDE & GOLDEN ALES
1ST Mr Winters Brewery Twisted Ladder - Norwich
RUNNER UP Elmtree Brewery Golden Pale Ale - Snetterton
RED ALES, BROWN ALES, OLD ALES & STRONG MILDS
1ST Lacons Brewery Old Nogg - Great Yarmouth
SESSION STOUTS & PORTERS
1ST Mr Winters Brewery Rorschach - Norwich
RUNNER UP Tindall Brewery Caramel Stout - Seething
STRONG STOUTS & PORTERS
1ST Lacons Brewery Imperial Stout - Great Yarmouth
RUNNER UP Grain Brewery Slate - Alburgh
BARLEY WINES & STRONG ALES
1ST Lacons Brewery Audit Ale - Great Yarmouth
SPECIALITY BEERS
1ST Elmtree Brewery Winter Solstice - Snetterton
RUNNER UP Panther Brewery Hunter Dry Hopped Lager - Reepham
WHAT PUB?
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