Abbeydale Brewery‘s Black Mass (a black IPA at 6.66% ABV) made it as a finalist in the “Barley Wines & Strong Ales” category of the Champion Beer of Britain awards. The winter ales categories were judged at Liverpool beer festival.
To reach the competition’s final in Liverpool all the beers had progressed through a year of local and regional blind judging heats.
The winner was London Brewing‘s Beer Street. Judges were blown away by this winner, with judging panel coordinator Christine Cryne describing Beer Street (4.0%) as: “A sparkling golden amber bitter, with spicy rye and a roasty nose, sweet biscuit on the flavour, where the spicy rye notes increase and linger in the dry and slightly bitter finish. Very easy drinking.”
Taking the Silver award was Cairngorm, Black Gold, 4.4%. A black session stout with red hues and oyster head. Aromas of black treacle and faint hits of dark fruits. Caramelised fruits on a sweetish chocolate base with some plums create a moreish stout. The dry finish is slightly sweet with some spicy notes.
The Bronze winner was Green Jack, Baltic Trader Export Stout, 10.5%. A dark ruby brown imperial stout, with aromas of sweet black treacle with some damsons. A rich smooth mouthfeel with bitter black chocolate, sweet molasses and damsons. The finish is sweet, smooth with bitter roasty notes remaining. Very warming.
The category winners now go forward to the final judging in May at CAMRA’s Cambridge Beer Festival where they’ll battle it out to take the crown of Supreme Champion 2026.
Reacting to the win, Director of London Brewing Senan Sexton said: “We’re absolutely delighted that our best bitter, Beer Street, has been named Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2026 by CAMRA. We’ve been brewing Beer Street since we founded the brewery in 2011, and it’s a real testament to the skill and dedication of our head brewer, Alex, that he has continued to refine and elevate the recipe over the years.
“This accolade means a tremendous amount to a brewery of our size. It’s not only a proud moment for our team, but also a fantastic boost that celebrates the enduring appeal of high-quality cask ales enjoyed in pubs across the UK.”
CAMRA’s Awards Director, Shelly Bentley, said: “Our Champion Beer of Britain competition is the only truly independent beer contest in the UK. Brewers can’t simply enter their beers into it; they have to be nominated by beer lovers or expert tasting panels.
“London Brewing are incredibly deserving winners of the winter crown, and everyone taking home a category win or top three placement should be proud that their beers have been declared the cream of the crop by expert judges.”
Full category winners:
Brown Ales, Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds:
Silver: Elmtree, Nightlight Mild 5.7%
Bronze: RedWillow, Sleepless, 5.4%
Session Stouts and Porters:
Gold: Cairngorm, Black Gold, 4.4%
Silver: Green Jack, Lurcher Stout, 4.8%
Bronze: Blackjack, Manchester Stout, 4.8%
Strong Stouts and Porters:
Gold: Green Jack, Baltic Trader Export Stout, 10.5%
Silver: Ramsgate, Gadds’ Black Pearl, 6.2%
Bronze: Five Kingdoms, Dark Storm, 6.9%
Barley Wines and Strong Ales:
Gold: Driftwood Spars, Alfie’s Revenge, 6.5%
Silver: Grainstore, Nip, 7.3%
Bronze: Holden’s, Old Ale, 7.2%
Speciality, Differently Produced:
Gold: London Brewing, Beer Street, 4.0%
Bronze: Dorset, Jurassic Dark, 5.9%
Speciality, Differently Flavoured:
Silver: Titanic, Cappuccino Stout, 4.5%
Bronze: Cerne Abbas, Gurt Coconuts Rum Stout, 6.7%