Hat-trick for Cheddar in SIBA contest

May 14, 2008: Cheddar Ales is continuing a successful year with a hat-trick of prizes at this year's Maltings Beer Festival, organised by the South West branch of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA).

Totty Pot, a dark porter, won the gold medal in the bottled beer category and the silver medal in the stouts and porters section, while golden ale Potholer was awarded a bronze in the category for best bitters.

Head brewer Jem Ham said: "We take a lot of pride in our bottled beers. We only ever bottle condition because we want our beer to always be at its best.

"Many other breweries, even those producing cask-conditioned ales, will pasteurise a beer and artificially add carbon dioxide when it comes to bottling their products and it strips the beer of a lot of its flavour and character.

"With our beers you can be sure that the bottled beer you're drinking will always be as fresh and delicious as if it were a newly pulled pint."

He added: "For Potholer to win back-to-back medals in a competition with such a large number of entries says a lot about its distinctive character and about our commitment to quality and consistency.

"I'm delighted that we have won so many awards, but I am particularly happy that we have won the awards for two completely different styles of beer.

"Potholer is a contemporary style of ale. It is light in colour with a full, zesty flavour, so it is at the opposite end of the spectrum to a dark, malty beer like Totty Pot porter; a style which was originally popular in the 18th century.

"Through both our product range and our new image we are trying to appeal to both traditionalists and newcomers. We look to refresh older styles of beer, such as porters, and to add depth to more contemporary styles such as golden ale.

"These awards show that our ales offer something distinctive and full of character for those that already enjoy real ale, but I would suggest that they also offer something new and exciting to anyone who is interested in food and drink."

Totty Pot was Cheddar Ales' winter special, but is still available bottle conditioned. Cheddar Ales has recently produced its spring special, Mild Cheddar, a dark brown, easy-drinking ale for those who like a less bitter beer. Mild Cheddar is available cask conditioned throughout Somerset and the surrounding area.