The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Champion Beer of Britain for 2009 is Rudgate Ruby Mild, from York. A year of local tastings panels and regional competitions culminated in a final judging at the Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, recently. The award marks an increase in the popularity of mild ale at a time when interest in real ale drinking generally is on the rise.
The York-brewed real ale was chosen as the overall winner from over sixty finalists in seven categories (Best Bitters, Bitters, Golden Ales, Milds, Speciality, Winter Beer and Strong Bitters) including beers from tiny micro-breweries to major regional brewers.
Ruby Mild, which has an abv of 4.4%, is described by CAMRA as a 'nutty, rich ruby ale', and is a little stronger than most mild ales.
According to CAMRA, milds are generally characterised as black to dark brown to pale amber in colour, and come in a variety of styles from warming roasty ales to light refreshing lunchtime thirst quenchers. "Malty and possibly sweet tones dominate the flavour profile but there may also be a light hop flavour or aroma. Slight diacetyl (toffee/butterscotch) flavours are not inappropriate".
Alcohol levels are typically low, less than 4.3%. Pale milds tend to have a lighter, more fruity aroma with gentle hoppiness, while dark milds may have a light roast malt or caramel character in aroma and taste. Some Scottish cask beers have mild characteristics with a dominance of sweetness, smooth body and light bitterness.
Roger Protz, Chairman of the final judging panel said:
'It's a tremendous boost for the mild category. It's good to see a classic British traditional beer making such a comeback in the age of golden ales and much paler beers in general. The judges were impressed by rich, fruity character, and the fact that it's quite hoppy and bitter for a mild ale. Its victory should invigorate the whole mild ale category.'
An elated Craig Lee, Rudgate's brewery owner, said:
'It's an excellent achievement, we've come close in previous years, and we are really proud to have won the Champion Beer of Britain. It's unbelievable, and we hope our beer helps popularise the cause of real ale.'
Rudgate's victory comes in the wake of new research from CAMRA showing 50% of adult drinkers have now tried Britain's national drink, real ale! This comes at a time when there are currently over 670 brewers in the UK, more than at any other time since the Second World War.
I'm currently researching an article for a weekly publication covering the resurgence of the real ale industry in the north (its a tough job but someone's got to do it) so I look forward to sharing more beer-related nuggets as my research progresses.