Sweet rewards for Skinner's

April 1, 2007: Cornish honey has helped Truro, Cornwall-based Skinner's Brewery scoop two more prestigious awards, including a best-in-Britain accolade.

First, the brewery won national acclaim with its Heligan Honey bitter, judged best speciality beer in the National Beer Awards at the 2007 annual conference in Leeds of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

Then its Ginger Tosser brew, first launched as a Pancake Day treat last year, triumphed as champion beer at the Darlington Beer Festival, organised by the Campaign For Real Ale.

“Once again, our brewing team have demonstrated their exceptional skills and consistency to beat off some of the biggest names in British brewing,” said managing director Steve Skinner.

“These achievements also underline the value of our commitment to quality ingredients home-grown in Cornwall. The Cornish barley and honey really do make a very big difference. These ales are hugely popular and we will now be looking to expand our honey range.

“At Darlington, we were told that Ginger Tosser was far and away the best of the lot, with nothing else anywhere near it.”

Named after the world-renowned gardens near Mevagissey, Heligan Honey (4.0%) is a light refreshing, pale amber bitter, with distinct hoppy overtones and with the subtle addition of real Cornish honey.

Ginger Tosser (3.8 %) is described as a lovely hoppy golden ale, fused with Cornish honey to give this session beer a superb round finish with a hint of ginger.