Severn Sins is SIBA national champion

March 11, 2008: Severn Sins, a 5.2% ABV stout, has been named supreme champion in SIBA's National Beer Competition.

Brewed by the Severn Vale Brewing Company in a disused milking parlour, the beer was crowned champion pint at SIBA's annual conference, which took place in York.

It beat off competition from 342 other draught ales, ranging from milds to speciality beers.

"Our dream has come true with winning this award," said Steve McDonald who, with his family, put in a year of hard work converting the milking parlour, on the outskirts of Dursley, Gloucestershire, into a top-quality brewery. "It's been worth all the hard work."

Among the 50 or so pubs the brewery supplies is the Old Spot, Dursley, which was named national pub of the year by the Campaign for Real Ale last month.

Full results

Supreme championship: 1, Severn Vale: Severn Sins (5.2%); 2, Moorhouses: Premier (3.7%); 3, Vale: Gravitas (3.8%).

Bitters (up to 4%): 1, Moorhouses: Premier (3.7%); 2, Stroud: Tom Long (3.8%); 3, Poachers: Shy Talk (3.7%).

Best bitters (4.1-4.5%): 1, Cairngorm: Trade Winds (4.3%); 2, Otley: CO2 (4.2%); 3, Surrey Hills: Shere Drop (4.2%).

Premium bitters (4.6-4.9%): 1, Vale: Gravitas (4.8%); 2, Stewart: Edinburgh Gold (4.8%); 3, Oakleaf: Hole Hearted (4.7%).

Strong ales (5%+): 1, Hogs Back: A Over T (9%): 2, Whim: Flower Power (5.3%); 3, Ossett: Excelsior (5.2%).

Milds: 1, Highlands: Dark Munro (4%); 2, Castle Rock: Black Gold (3.8%); 3, Elgoods: Black Dog (3.6%).

Porters, strong milds, old ales and stouts: 1, Severn Vale: Severn Sins (5.2%); 2, Beartown: Polar Eclipse (4.8%); 3, Amber: Original Black Stout (4%)

Speciality beers: 1, Oakleaf: I Can't Believe It's Not Bitter (4.9%); 2, Sinclair: Atlas Wayfarer (4.4%); 3, Jarrow: Westoe IPA (4.6%).

Bottled beers: 1, Sinclair: Atlas Latitude (3.9%); 2, Westerham: William Wilberforce Freedom Ale (4.8%); 3, Mauldons: Black Adder (5.3%).