AN AWARD-WINNING brewery has always known that its beers are pretty special, but now it can rightfully claim to have the best brew in Britain.
Finchampstead-based Siren Craft Brew scooped the top honour at the Campaign For Real Ale’s Great British Beer Festival earlier this month.
Judges from CAMRA declared that the Broken Dream Breakfast Stout was worthy of the Champion Beer of Britain award, one of the highest accolades in the beer industry.
The 6.5% ABV beer won over the judges as a result of its “deep and complex blend of chocolate, coffee and a touch of smoke”. The judges said it stood out for its aroma, taste and finish, all of which they said were superb.
This is the second time this year that Siren has scooped a prize from Camra.
In February, it took home a silver award at the Great British Beer Festival Winter.
And Siren’s award came after beating off stiff competition: local tasting panels were held in the regional heats, before the final judging took place on Tuesday. The silver winner was Suffolk-based Green Jack’s Ripper (8.5% ABV), a strong barley wine, while bronze was taken by Tyne & Wear-based Mordue for their Workie Ticket (4.5% ABV).
Nick Boley, CAMRA’s National Director responsible for the competition says: “Congratulations to Siren Brewery for taking home the Champion Beer of Britain award with their Broken Dream Breakfast Stout – the highest beer accolade in the country. This is a distinctive, strong, well-balanced stout from an outstanding craft brewery.
“If there is any beer in the world that is dangerously drinkable, it’s this one.”
And Siren Craft Brew’s founder Darron Anley was overjoyed with the award.
He said: “What a huge achievement that the Champion Beer of Britain is a heavy stout with coffee and lactose flavours in the midst of such warm summer weather. Broken Dream Breakfast Stout is one of our core beers and one of the first beers we ever brewed – we’re absolutely delighted.”
Siren Craft Brew is holding its International Rainbow Project day on Saturday, August 25, offering visitors the chance to try seven specially selected barrel-aged beers, along with some specially curated ales.
Each of the beers is based around a colour of the rainbow and randomly assigned to them.
This is the fifth year that the Project has been run – and it’s also the last.
Breweries involved include Siren Craft, Magic Rock, Casita Cerveceria, Partizan, New Belgium, Beavertown, Hawkshead, Modern Times, Sante Adairius, Wild Beer Co, Side Project, Burning Sky and 3 Floyds.
In addition to the beers, there will be street food
The Finchampstead leg will be held in the Tap Yard at its Marino Way base.
Tickets for the event cost £13 and includes a souvenir glass and drinks tokens worth £10.
It also includes the first opportunity to pick up the last ever Rainbow Project mixed case, which includes all seven beers.
Siren will run shuttle buses from Wokingham station and the Leopard bus stops nearby.
n For more details, log on to www.sirencraftbrew.com or call 0118 973 0929.
