Brew achieves its Hidden Potential

l James Woodhouse and Gary Lumber at the Hidden Brewery

November 19, 2006: Hidden Potential (4.2%), one of nine real ales brewed by Hidden Brewery, in Wiltshire, has been named champion beer at the Bath Beer Festival 2006.

A full hop traditional bitter, Hidden Potential actually came about as the result of brewer Gary Lumber’s intuition — a slight alteration was made to one of his favourite beers and he immediately recognised the new brews potential, hence the name.

Gary said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the Hidden Brewery and we are extremely pleased that judges at the Bath Beer Festival recognised Hidden Potential as a winner.

"At 4.2%, Hidden Potential is a clean-tasting, well-rounded, traditional beer with slight citrus tones and a balanced malty flavour. Created earlier this year it has been so popular we can’t seem to make it fast enough. Brewing really is an intuitive art and this award is proof that you have to be brave and go with your instincts!”

Bath Beer Festival gets more than 2,000 visitors and will celebrate its 30th anniversary next year. More than 80 beers were tasted at the festival by six judges, and as the champion, Hidden Potential will automatically be put forward for judging at the Great British Beer Festival next August at Earls Court, London.

James Honey, chairman of Bath branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “Judging so many beers can be difficult and it was very refreshing when we tasted Hidden Potential as it stood out from the others.

"It’s a beer with real character, very traditional and well balanced, without any gimmicks. Hidden Potential is most definitely worth discovering and we would like to congratulate the Hidden Brewery team on their excellent brew, wherever they are in the West Country!”

Set up by Gary, previously of Oakhill Brewery, and his business partner Michael Woodhouse, the Hidden Brewery is barely three years old. Growth has been rapid and it now supplies more than 800 pubs and clubs in the South and South West.