The best beer in Britain has been crowned for 2025
The people at the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have named the UK's best beer for 2025 in the annual Beer of Britain championships. The CAMRA competition is one of the stiffest, and most prestigious, ale contests in the world; 12 finalists were judged by a team of beer experts to be named gold, silver or bronze in the championships.
A dark ale brewed by Cornwall's Penzance Brewing Company was crowned as CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain 2025. Called 'Mild', the brew was lauded for its complex flavour with notes of coffee, chocolate and dried fruits.
This is what Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain judging coordinator, said about Mild: 'The aroma of this classic dark mild has all the enticing aromas one would expect. Chocolate and sweet cocoa on the nose. Chocolate, sultanas and dry roast on the palate where the gentle pleasant sweetness is balanced by a roasty, subtle, dry bitterness. Packs a lot of flavour for a 3.6 percent beer.'
Lewis Elliott and Richard Hickman of Penzance brewery said: 'It's quite overwhelming. I'm really glad the style has come back. It's down to the founder of our brewery Peter Elvin and his nephew Rob, who showed me the ropes.'
Silver went to 'Snowflake', a barley wine brewed by Dudley-based brewery Sarah Hughes, while bronze was clinched by pale ale 'Fallen Angel', brewed in Nuneaton by Church End.
Another Cornish beer took gold for the best bottled beer in the UK. St Austell Brewery's Proper Job, a golden IPA, was named number one for its 'strong fruity nose and a perfect balance of biscuit, citrus fruits and bitter hops'.
Meanwhile, a nitro porter brewed by London craft brewer Anspach & Hobday was recently named Britain's best in the Top 50 UK Beer Awards.
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Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
The best beer in Britain has been crowned for 2025
For some people, plain old lager just isn't enough. Luckily when it comes to beer, the options are endless. Is your favourite a chocolatey porter, a fruity IPA, or something more left-field, like a tzatziki sour? The people at the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have named the UK's best beer for 2025 in the annual Beer of Britain championships. The CAMRA competition is one of the stiffest, and most prestigious, ale contests in the world; 12 finalists were judged by a team of beer experts to be named gold, silver or bronze in the championships. A dark ale brewed by Cornwall's Penzance Brewing Company was crowned as CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain 2025. Called 'Mild', the brew was lauded for its complex flavour with notes of coffee, chocolate and dried fruits. This is what Christine Cryne, Champion Beer of Britain judging coordinator, said about Mild: 'The aroma of this classic dark mild has all the enticing aromas one would expect. Chocolate and sweet cocoa on the nose. Chocolate, sultanas and dry roast on the palate where the gentle pleasant sweetness is balanced by a roasty, subtle, dry bitterness. Packs a lot of flavour for a 3.6 percent beer.' Lewis Elliott and Richard Hickman of Penzance brewery said: 'It's quite overwhelming. I'm really glad the style has come back. It's down to the founder of our brewery Peter Elvin and his nephew Rob, who showed me the ropes.' Silver went to 'Snowflake', a barley wine brewed by Dudley-based brewery Sarah Hughes, while bronze was clinched by pale ale 'Fallen Angel', brewed in Nuneaton by Church End. Another Cornish beer took gold for the best bottled beer in the UK. St Austell Brewery's Proper Job, a golden IPA, was named number one for its 'strong fruity nose and a perfect balance of biscuit, citrus fruits and bitter hops'. Meanwhile, a nitro porter brewed by London craft brewer Anspach & Hobday was recently named Britain's best in the Top 50 UK Beer Awards.
The Sun
06-08-2025
- The Sun
Award-winning Wetherspoons pub that has huge rooftop beer garden is right by the beach
A WETHERSPOONS pint always goes down a treat - and even more so at this one venue that has a rooftop garden and sits right by the beach. Back in 2015, The Admiral Collingwood in Ilfracombe, North Devon, scooped up the prize of best new pub at the National Pub Design Awards. 3 And since, the boozer has become an icon of Ilfracombe's seafront after judges described it as "an uncompromisingly modern building where the glass dome offers urban presence, while the rest of the main elevation is understated yet sophisticated", according to Harrison Ince Architects. Inside, new artworks were commissioned for the pub at the time, and a steel sculpture of a wave breaking was installed. On the roof of the pub, there is a beer garden which is open between March and October and boasts amazing views across the coast. One recent visitor said: "The view of the sea is amazing; the roof terrace is lovely and the drinks are true spoons quality. "We love Ilfraspoons!" According to Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the pub serves three changing beers which often include ales from Fat Belly, GT Ales, Exmoor, Cotleigh and Bays featuring regularly. In the summer, this increases to four beers. And then additionally, there are three regular beers on offer to punters. Visitors also get to learn a bit of histroy about the purpose built pub when they visit, as the menu states: "Until its very recent closure, the Collingwood Hotel had welcomed visitors to north Devon's Ilfracombe for over 130 years. "The imposing five-storey building was named after Admiral, Lord Collingwood, Nelson's second-in-command at Trafalgar (who fought just off the Spanish coast in 1805). "Cuthbert Collingwood fired the first shot in the battle (one of British naval history's most famous and crucial) and took over command of the British fleet after the fatal wounding of his friend Horatio Nelson." Just a short walk away from the pub is Wildersmouth Beach, which is sheltered and shingle. Despite being central to Ilfracombe, the dog-friendly beach is often less crowded than other sandy beaches nearby. 3 Ilfracombe is also home to the Landmark Theatre, in Jubilee Gardens. For art lovers, make sure to follow the coast around to Ilfracombe's harbour where you will find Damien Hirst's bonze sculpture called Verity - a half-skinned pregnant woman, who stands 20 metres tall. The high street is also said to be a "thriving hub of independent shops", according to Visit Ilfracombe. There are many craft shops, gift shops and cafes to explore - and even a coffee-cum-craft shop. Sweet tooths will also enjoy the Ilfracombe Chocolate Emporium, which sells handcrafted chocolates and has a chocolate museum - which is free to visit. And make sure to check out the department story Chas N Pedlar & Son, which has been running for over a century. The seaside town has a lot of choice for accommodating too, with lots of holiday homes. How can I save money at Wetherspoons? FREE refills - Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day. Check a map - Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other. So if you're planning a pint at a Spoons, it's worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you're settling in at the cheapest. Choose your day - Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights. For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual. Pick-up vouchers - Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled. Get appy - The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table - but you don't need to be in the pub to use it. Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play. Check the date - Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry. It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14. As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival. A Devon local has walked the South West Coast Path numerous times – these are her best spots The Salt Path movie doesn't show. Plus, Devon is also home to the best fish and chips in the UK. 3
Wales Online
06-08-2025
- Wales Online
Beer and cider festival returns to Swansea for 35th anniversary
Beer and cider festival returns to Swansea for 35th anniversary It is one of the highlights of the social calendar for beer and cider lovers in the city Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival returns in August (Image: One of the highlights of the social calendar for beer and cider lovers in Swansea takes place this month. Taking place at the Brangwyn Hall over three days, the CAMRA Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival returns on Thursday, August 21, running until Saturday, August 23. The event is now in its 35th year, and will feature some of the best of Welsh brewing, plus beers and ciders as far away as the Orkneys. These will include favourites such as event sponsor Gower Brewery's Gower Gold and Pilot Gold, and its new west coast pale ale, to a specially brewed festival beer from Swansea Brewing Company named Bandwagon and Brains' 140th anniversary Rev James Reserve. There will also be a full range of pale ales and bitters to ciders and perries, with knowledgeable volunteers on hand at the event. The festival will also feature musical performances each evening. Swansea favourite Tweke will be playing Thursday night, followed by crowd pleasers the Soulskunks on Friday night. On the final night, there will be the double bill of the Low Down Dirty Dog Blues Band and The Currants. There will also be traditional pub games to test your skills from shuffleboard to table skittles. Admission is £6 for non-CAMRA members and £4 for CAMRA members on Thursday night, and £8 for non-CAMRA members and £6 for CAMRA members on Friday and Saturday. It includes a commemorative glass and programme. Advance weekend tickets are also available at £18 for non-CAMRA members and £15 for CAMRA members. The first £5 worth of tokens will also be sold with the admission tickets at the door, so people attending are advised to have £13 or £11 ready if they intend on paying cash. The opening times are Thursday, August 21, 5pm until 11pm, Friday, August 22, noon until 11pm and Saturday, August 23, noon until 11pm. The last admission is 10pm. Article continues below Card and cash will be accepted on the door and at the tokens desk. The event is for those aged 18 and over only. No dogs are allowed.
