Gloucestershire’s Beer of the Year 2023 has been announced at this year’s Cotswold Beer Festival.
The cask brewers within the county were asked to provide up to two beers each – of their own choosing, to be judged and the winners announced on the festivals Trade Night. The beers entered were placed into categories based on their style and subject to the current CAMRA definitions. Each category produced a winner, which went forward to the ‘grand taste-off’ to determine the overall winner.
CATEGORY WINNERS:
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FIRST, and winner of the GOLD Medal: GLOUCESTER – Cascade
Presentation of the award took place on 30th August. Tasting Panel Chair, Tony Lucas is seen with the Gloucester brewers.
SECOND, and winner of the SILVER Medal: BATTLEDOWN – Belgian Dubbel
Tony with Roland from Battledown.
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THIRD, and winner of the BRONZE Medal: COTSWOLD LION – Drover’s Return
Tony with Andy Forbes, brewer at Cotswold Lion.
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Responsibility for putting together the judging panel fell to Cheltenham Tasting Panel Chair Tony Lucas. “I am looking to balance the judges with CAMRA trained tasters, and big names from Gloucestershire’s landlords and the local beer industry. This includes a confirmed, and highly respected, international beer judge”, said Tony. “Judging blind is challenging but fun, and it will be run to the same stringent CAMRA style guide, and scoring system, as is used in the national CAMRA final competitions. That way we, and the local brewers, can have confidence in the result. ”.
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Tony, with judging panel Chair Leigh Norwood, announcing the winners.
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