|
Saltaire Brewery scores a hat trick at SIBA Awards
Saltaire Brewery’s ‘Triple Chocoholic’ speciality ale beat 1,400 beers to become the National Supreme Champion Beer of 2010 at the Society of Independent Brewers awards in Stratford-upon Avon on Friday 5th March.
One of the most prestigious awards in the beer industry, the beer in each category was chosen in ‘blind’ tastings by 50 professional judges.
Triple Chocoholic also won Gold in the Champion Speciality Beers category, with the Brewery’s Cascade Pale Ale scooping the Gold in the Champion Premium Bitters Category. The winners from each category then compete for Supreme National Champion where Triple Chocoholic completed the hat trick of Gold medals!
Both these beers have been honoured at beer festivals across the country but for a brewery to scoop two national category wins and the accolade of National Supreme Champion is unprecedented in the history of the competition!
Brewery owner and Head Brewer, Tony Gartland said ‘We are very proud that a panel of brewers and industry experts have identified our beers as being the best in the country and the award of National Supreme Champion is too much to take in, especially as it’s the first time a speciality beer has won the coveted title.”
Tony continued, “We’ve only been brewing for four years and brewing is hard work, so to get such industry recognition so soon is really rewarding. I’m really proud of the team at Saltaire who have worked wonders to develop a successful business and some fantastic ales. We have a loyal group of customers across Yorkshire and beyond and we look forward to treating them to our award winners, as well as some seasonal specials in the months to come.”
Saltaire Brewery is based in Shipley, West Yorkshire in an impressive Victorian building, which perfectly captures its brand values of ‘heritage with a modern twist’. They pride themselves in experimenting with new flavours whilst maintaining the traditions of craft brewing. The award winning Triple Chocoholic ale is a speciality stout with additions of chocolate, chocolate syrups and chocolate essence.
One criteria of the judging panel was the commercial appeal of the potential winning beer. “The fact that a speciality beer has won overall Supreme Champion shows that the audience for real ale is changing and that we are starting to reach a wider audience, “ commented Tony Gartland.
Sales and Marketing Manager Cecile Simpson added, “Things are going from strength to strength, and our recent investment in a new machinery has provided a much needed 33% increase in capacity. We always try to offer both a core range, which includes Cascade Pale Ale, and also a range of seasonal specials. Triple Chocoholic tends to be a winter seasonal brew, but has become so popular we’ve been brewing it at other times too. We will try to brew some more in the next few weeks and we also plan to bottle the brew in the Autumn with retailers already showing keen interest.”
|
