- Details
- Written by Mel James-Henry
- Category: CBOB 2022
CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain (CBoB) is one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. Liverpool Beer Festival (LBF) was one of the first major beer festivals in the country to return after the protracted absence due to the pandemic and it was also one of the first opportunities to recommence face-to face judging for CAMRA’s CBoB competition.
Liverpool Beer Festival hosted the regional finals for 2 of the 12 CAMRA beer style categories, Session Bitters (up to and including 4.3% ABV) and Session Stouts and Porters (up to and including 4.9% ABV). The redefined styles are detailed in ‘CAMRA Beer Styles Brochure Winter 2020’ https://camra.org.uk/volunteers-area/branch-resources/awards-and-certificates/tasting-panels/
How does a beer enter the CBoB competition?
In the autumn of Year 1, entrants for the Champion Beer of Britain are nominated by CAMRA members and Tasting Panels in 12 cask beer style categories and 2 strength categories for bottle-conditioned beers (Real Ale in Bottle). Tasting panel nominations are used alongside an annual online vote in which CAMRA members can vote, within each category, for up to five real ales on a list of eligible beers from across the British Isles. https://cbob.camra.org.uk/
Over the following calendar year (Year 2), category competitions judge these nominations in nine geographical CBoB areas, which are identical to the nine tasting panel regions. Each CBoB area judges the nominations brewed within its boundary. In the next calendar year (Year 3), the top-scoring beers from the area category competitions are judged in three sets of national competitions: Champion Beer of Britain (CBoB), Champion Winter Beer of Britain (CWBoB) and Champion Bottled Beer of Britain (CBBoB).
What happened on the Day?
Two panels made up of CAMRA accredited judges, brewers and local licensees gathered to judge beers from all over the North-West Region, (covering Cumbria & I.O.M, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire).
There were 8 beers to be judged in each beer style category , the beers being scored against 4 parameters, Appearance, Aroma, Taste, Aftertaste, with the score for Taste weighted ‘x2’.
The top 3 beers were chosen in each style category and awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze and the beers from the North-West Finals will progress to the national finals in 2023.
What were the winning beers?
Session Bitters Session Stouts and Porters
Gold Bowland - Pheasant Plucker Deeply Vale DV8
Silver Bollington - Best Brimstage Oatmeal Stout
Bronze Ulverston Laughing Gravy Serious Moonlight
How can members be involved?
Firstly, make sure that you take the opportunity to vote in the annual nomination process but if you want to be more actively involved then you could join a Tasting Panel in your local region, the ultimate step being to become a Tasting Panel Chair in the North-West for information on any of these roles contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Final word from one of the winners:
“I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for this beer and that we were extremely surprised at winning (for us) this momentous award. Fantastic news, most unexpected and absolutely over the moon. This is a wonderful recognition to James (The brewer).”
George Stewart, Sales, Deeply Vale Brewery
