Tribute triumph at the Maltings

April 13, 2007: St Austell Tribute has been named champion beer at the Society of Independent Brewers' (SIBA) Maltings Festival, at Newton Abbot.

Reserve champion was RCH PG Steam.

This was the 15th Maltings Beer Festival. Committee member Carl Beeson, of Summerskill's Brewery, explained that 16 years ago "I had a dream!" and the first festival was organised with 22 brewers exhibiting 67 beers. This year there were more than 250 beers from 58 brewers.

Carl paid tribute to the work of Richard Wheeler, who recently retired as managing director of Tucker's Maltings and who had been hugely supportive of the festival from day one, not least in providing an excellent venue.

Maltings committee chairman Tim Webster — resplendent as ever in his bright red suit — was master of ceremonies for the presentations and thanks the Maltings staff, beer competition judges, SIBA and special festival supporters Advanced Bottling. There was a special word too for CAMRA's South West branches, who help to man the festival bar.

Those results in full, then.

Standard bitters: bronze, Dorset Brewing Co Harbourmaster (3.6%); silver, Archer's Pride (3.8%); gold, RCH PG Steam (3.9%).

Best bitters: bronze, Dorset Brewing CO Weymouth Best Bitter (3.9%); silver, Cheddar Ales Potholer (4.3%); gold, St Austell Tribute (4.2%).

Premium bitters: bronze, Teignworthy Amy's Ale (4.8%); silver, Hidden Brewery Hidden Spring (4.5%); gold, Moles Rucking Mole (4.5%).

Strong ales: bronze, O'Hanlon's Royal Oak (5%); silver, Stonehenge Danish Dynamite (5%); gold, Otter Brewery Otter Head (5.8%).

Milds: bronze, St Austell Black Prince (4%); silver, Teignworthy Martha's Mild (5.3%); gold, Barum Mild (4/2%).

Porters, old ales and a stouts: bronze, Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout (4.5%); silver, RCH Firebox (6%); gold, South Hams Devon Porter (5%).

Speciality beers: Skinner's Ginger Tosser (3.8); Dorset Brewing CO Chesil (4.1%); gold, Keystone Gold Spice (4%).

Bottled beers: bronze, Hopback Entire Stout (4.5%); silver, Butcombe Brunel IPA (5%); gold, RCH Old Slug Porter (5%).