Elland Porter named as Britain’s best beer

The Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter has been named as the Champion Beer of Britain by the Campaign for Real Ale.

The announcement was made on the first day of the Great British Beer Festival, which is taking place this week at the Olympia in London.

The 1872 Porter is brewed in West Yorkshire, by Elland Brewery, to a recipe from 1872. The porter was judged the supreme champion out of finalists in seven categories, including bitters, golden ales and milds.

Colin Valentine, chairman of Camra, said: “It was a really tough decision but Elland 1872 Porter is a fantastic beer and a well deserved winner.

“A 6.5% ABV, rich and strongly flavoured porter with flavours of coffee and dark chocolate, this result makes it two years in a row that our champion winter beer has gone on to win the Champion Beer of Britain competition.”

Michael Wynnyczuk, head brewer at Elland, said: “I’m utterly shocked. It’s a great beer but after we won the Winter Ales competition you wonder about it in the summer competition, as people may prefer different styles of beer in warmer weather.

“But we know it’s a great beer and we’re really proud to be crowned Champion Beer of Britain.”

The silver award went to Buntingford (Hertfordshire), and the bronze to Fyne Ales (Argyll).