Elland 1872 Porter claims CAMRA prize

The “hugely popular” Elland 1872 Porter scooped CAMRA’s prestigious Supreme Champion Winter Beer, a third award in three years. Elland Brewery chose to celebrate their national triumph at the Junction pub in Castleford.

CAMRA officials, headed by Nik Antona, Champion Winter Beer of Britain Director, gathered with enthusiastic beer lovers and locals at the pub last Thursday to raise a glass to the achievement.

Elland Brewery Manager Mike Hiscock said: “It’s absolutely fabulous to win the Champion Winter Beer of Britain, though we certainly weren’t expecting this, it’s amazing to get the hat trick and win this award for the third time.

“We know it’s independently judged so for it to keep coming out on top is testament to the depth of flavour and complexity that we get into the beer.”

The winning 6.5% ABV beer is described in CAMRA’s 2015 Good Beer Guide as a ‘creamy, full-flavoured porter with rich liquorice flavours and a hint of chocolate from the roasted malt. A soft but satisfying after taste of bittersweat roast and malt’.

Mr Antona added: “Elland 1872 is a fantastic example of what a traditional porter should taste like and has been hugely popular for many years, particularly it seems with competition judges, who have named it Champion Winter Beer of Britain twice and overall Champion Top; Head brewer Michael Wynnyczuk, Neil Midgley, Maureen Shaw, Chairman Elland Brewery, Dickie Bird and Mike Hiscock pose with the winning certificate. Above; David Litten pulls a pint of Elland 1872 Beer of Britain once in the last three years.”

Mike revealed they chose to host the event at the Junction, who also boast the CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year, because of its continued support of the Brewery.

Landlady Maureen Shaw said: “Neil (Landlord) and I are both delighted and most honoured that Elland Brewery asked us to host such a prestigious national CAMRA event.”