Cairngorm Brewery’s Black Gold has won the Champion Winter Beer of Britain award at the recent CAMRA Winter Beer Festival. The stout, with tasting notes of liquorice and blackcurrant, stood out amidst competition while UK pint prices show significant increases, reflecting economic challenges.
The Champion Winter Beer of Britain award, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), has acknowledged Cairngorm Brewery’s Black Gold as the best beer in Britain after an extensive judging process spanning over a year. The ultimate decision was made during the CAMRA Winter Beer Festival, which was held from February 12 to 15.
Cairngorm’s Black Gold, a Scottish stout with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 4.4%, stood out amongst the competition due to its prominent roasted malt characteristics and subtle smokiness. The beer features tasting notes of liquorice and blackcurrant, rounded off with a delicate sweetness. Christine Cryne, organiser of the judging panel, highlighted its distinctive qualities, stating it has a “roasted coffee nose with dark fruits and earthy hops” and is “very easy drinking.”
Merlin Sandbach, the sales director at Cairngorm Brewery, expressed his team’s excitement about the win, citing their previous successes with the Champion Beer of Scotland award. He noted, “the team is ecstatic” at achieving this prestigious recognition, adding, “Our head brewer Liam, Gemma from Productions and I are absolutely over the moon!”
The competition also recognised other noteworthy brews, with Silver awarded to Sarah Hughes Snowflake, which has an ABV of 8%, and Grain Slate earning the Bronze medal with a 6% ABV.
In addition to celebrating the Champion Beer, data from The Morning Advertiser reveals trends in beer pricing, underscoring market challenges faced by consumers and suppliers alike. The average cost of a pint in the UK has risen to £5.08, marking a 26p increase from December reports by the Office for National Statistics.
Beavertown Neck Oil has emerged as the most expensive pint, commanding an average price of £6.36, followed closely by Peroni at £6.08. Conversely, Tennent’s is reported to be the cheapest option at £4.02. Regional analysis indicates that London remains the most expensive locale to enjoy a pint, averaging £6.16, while the Midlands report the lowest costs at £4.47.
Several factors contribute to the rising prices, including increased taxation on alcohol, production costs, and packaging fees. With the changing landscape of pricing and consumer preferences, breweries and brands must navigate these financial dynamics while positioning their products strategically in an increasingly competitive market.
The insights from both the CAMRA awards and the pint price analysis highlight significant implications for breweries aiming to engage with consumers effectively while maintaining profitability in the evolving UK beverage industry.
Source: Noah Wire Services
