Archers win gold at Newton Abbot

l Festival chairman Tim Webster announces the winners 4There are more pics in our special Maltings festival gallery

April 23, 2006: Archers IPA (4.2%) has been crowned champion beer at the SIBA South West Maltings Beer Festival.

One judge described the beer - and the brewer - as "a very worthy winner", and the decision did, indeed, seem to be a very popular one.

Judge worked hard through most of Thursday on a huge tasting of beers in different classes.

SIBA South West chairman, Guy Sheppard, of the Exe Valley Brewery, in Devon, proudly described the event as "a showcase of Westcountry beers", and with 246 casks on one very long stillage, it was difficult to disagree. He said the region's breweries were in very good shape, with the quantity and quality of beers greatly improved in recent years.

Ironically, events such as the foot and mouth crisis have helped to fuel this growth in the region's brewing, with a stronger focus these days on local produce and rural issues.

"The trade is relatively buoyant, but it's been a long winter," Guy added. "It's starting to be that little bit more competitive."

Not that you would know this from watching the 'competing' brewers meet, greet and congratulate each other at Newton Abbot. It's like an annual family reunion with not a bad word said between these skilled craftspeople.

The festival is chaired by Barum brewer Tim Webster who claimed he was talked into the job while under the influence during a late-night post-fest curry five years ago. He clearly enjoys leading a willing team of enthusiastic volunteers, with CAMRA members helping out running the long, long bar.

Results

Standard bitters: 1, Bath Ales - SPA; 2, Bristol Beer Factory - Red; 3, Newmans - Red Stag.
Best bitters: 1, Archers - IPA; 2, Dorset Brewery Co - Weymouth JD 1742; 3, Bristol Beer Factory - Sunrise.
Premium bitters: 1, Cottage - Golden Arrow; 2, South Hams - Eddystone; 3, Hidden Brewery - Hidden Spring.
Strong bitters: 1, Archers - Crystal Clear; 2, Moor - Summerland Gold; 3, Bath Ales - Wild Hare Golden Organic.
Porters, stouts and old ales: 1, O'Hanlon's - Port Stout; 2, Downton - Chimera IPA; 3, Country Life - Country Bumpkin.
Milds: 1, Moor - Milly's Mild; 2, Branscombe Vale - Hell's Belles; 3, Teignworthy - Martha's Mild.
Speciality beers: 1, Skinner's - Heligan Honey; 2, O'Hanlon's - Wheat Beer; 3, Organic Brewhouse - Charlie's Pride.
Bottled beers: 1, Hopback - Entire Stout; 2, O'Hanlon's - Port Stout; 3, Skinner's - Cornish Lager.