Independence day for champ

Independence (4.6 per cent), a premium pale ale by Bristol Beer Factory has been crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2026 at the Cambridge Beer Festival. 

The competition is strongly independent with judging taking two years to complete. Each year kicks off with individual nominations from CAMRA members, volunteer tasting panels, and then regional competitions. Every round of judging, including the final at Cambridge Beer Festival, uses a strict blind tasting policy. 

Bristol Beer Factory MD Sam Burrows said: “The lineage of the Champion Beer of Britain is impeccable. It features some of the best beers of all time: Landlord, Bluebird, Cwtch, JHB, Ruby Mild, and now Independence. We could not be more chuffed. 

“In an era when the majority of our successful contemporaries have prioritised keg, we have remained steadfastly committed to the brilliance of cask. We brew around 60 cask beers per year, but only four all year round. And the one that made our name, the one that blends the tradition of cask with the punch of modern American hop legends, is Independence. 

“It’s been a staple of South West cask pumps for 15 years – what took you so long! 

“We love cask. Raise a glass to independent drinkers, to indie venues, and to our bold, citrusy 4.6 per cent IPA, Independence, or as we call it, Indy. Cheers and thank you from all of us.” 

Champion Beer of Britain judging coordinator Christine Cryne described Independence as: “A pale strong beer. Strong enticing citrus nose, with piney hops. Caramelised citrus, tangerines, grapefruit and digestive biscuits lead to dry peppery bittersweet finish, which lingers. Refreshing, full flavoured, fruity and smooth.” 

The silver and bronze winners were: 

Silver: Wildcat (5.1 per cent), a premium bitter by Cairngorm. Judges described Wildcat as: “Toffee, malt hops and a little orange on the nose, with flavours of dark orange marmalade with honey. The spicy hops develop and then linger in a dry bitter finish, which is balanced by some toffee notes. Well balanced and satisfying.” 

Cairngorm MD Samantha Faircliff said: “It is absolutely brilliant to get overall Silver in the Champion Beer of Britain competition with Wildcat, alongside winning Gold with Wildcat for Premium Bitters, and Gold for Black Gold in the Session Stout and Porters categories. Two years on the trot, along with similar wins in the CAMRA Winter Beer of Britain competition, is a real testimony to the consistency and the quality of the beers that Head Brewer Liam Anderson and the team are producing here in Aviemore. We would like to sincerely thank CAMRA and its members for their continued support.”

Bronze: Alfie’s Revenge (6.5 per cent), a strong ale by Driftwood Spars. Judges describes Alfie's Revenge as: “Fruity aroma with toffee and some pear notes. Flavours are estery overlaid with toffee and caramelised fruit. Finish remains sweet, with a bitterness which grows, alongside a little dryness. Full flavoured and rich.” 

Driftwood Spars head brewer Tim Lawrence said: “Driftwood Spa is an independent brewpub based in St Agnes. Alfie's Revenge is what we are best known for, a Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2012 winner, brewed by our old head brewer Pete. We haven't changed the recipe since he passed away, and it is faithful to his original recipe. It is a really nice surprise to be recognised, and it honours him.” 

CAMRA awards director Shelly Bentley said: “I’m thrilled to bits to see Independence by Bristol Beer Factory claim the 2026 title of Champion Beer of Britain! It is a more than deserving winner. 

“All 12 finalists in the coveted competition are fantastic examples of how the quality of UK brewing continues to climb to new heights. Government must improve the access to market for the UK’s amazing independent brewers, who are being blocked from getting space at the bar by the giant global brewers which have a stranglehold on our pubs. 

“Make sure to come down to the Cambridge Beer Festival, one of CAMRA’s longest running and largest events, to try the best beer, cider and perry the UK has to offer. Let’s raise a pint and cheers to Bristol Beer Factory – a thoroughly deserving Champion Beer of Britain!” 

All the finalists in this year’s competition are on sale while stock lasts at the Cambridge Beer Festival at Jesus Green Park until 23 May. Entry is free for CAMRA members: cambridgebeerfestival.com 

Who won what

Overall 

Gold: Bristol Beer Factory, Independence, 4.6 per cent  

Silver: Cairngorm, Wildcat, 5.1 per cent 

Bronze: Driftwood Spars, Alfie’s Revenge, 6.5 per cent 

Category winners 

Mild 

Gold: Shortts, Two Tone, 3.8 per cent

Silver: Harrogate, Nidd Mild, 3.7 per cent 

Bronze: Magic Dragon, Old Magic, 3.6 per cent

Session Bitter 

Gold: Purple Moose, Cwrw Glaslyn/Glaslyn Ale, 4.2 per cent

Silver: Dancing Duck, 22, 4.3 per cent 

Bronze: Ludlow, Ludlow Best, 3.7 per cent 

Premium Bitter 

Gold: Cairngorm, Wildcat, 5.1 per cent 

Silver: Daleside, Monkey Wrench, 5.3 per cent  

Bronze: Langham, Best, 4.5 per cent 

IPAs (English and New World) 

Gold: Blue Monkey, Infinity Plus 1, 5.6 per cent 

Silver: Oakham, Green Devil, 6 per cent 

Bronze: Gun, Zamzama, 6.5 per cent 

Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales 

Gold: Blue Monkey, BG Sips, 4 per cent

Silver: Burning Sky, Plateau, 3.4 per cent 

Bronze: Ossett, White Rat, 4 per cent 

Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales 

Gold: Bristol Beer Factory, Independence, 4.6 per cent 

Silver: Two by Two, Snake Eyes Pale, 4.7 per cent 

Bronze: Surrey Hills, Collusion, 5.2 per cent 

Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds 

Gold: Harvey’s, Old Ale, 4.3 per cent 

Silver: Elmtree, Nightlight Mild, 5.7 per cent 

Bronze: RedWillow, Sleepless, 5.4 per cent 

Session Stouts and Porters 

Gold: Cairngorm, Black Gold, 4.4 per cent 

Silver: Green Jack, Lurcher Stout, 4.8 per cent 

Bronze: Blackjack, Manchester Stout, 4.8 per cent

Strong Stouts and Porters 

Gold: Green Jack, Baltic Trader Export Stout, 10.5 per cent

Silver: Ramsgate, Gadds’ Black Pearl, 6.2 per cent 

Bronze: Five Kingdoms, Dark Storm, 6.9 per cent

Speciality, Differently Flavoured 

Gold: Farm Yard, Hoof, 4.3 per cent 

Silver: Titanic, Cappuccino Stout, 4.5 per cent

Bronze: Cerne Abbas, Gurt Coconuts Rum Stout, 6.7 per cent 

Speciality, Differently Produced 

Gold: London Brewing, Beer Street, 4 per cent 

Silver: Papworth, Koura, 5.7 per cent 

Bronze: Dorset, Jurassic Dark, 5.9 per cent 

Barley Wines and Strong Old Ales 

Gold: Driftwood Spars, Alfie’s Revenge, 6.5 per cent 

Silver: Grainstore, Nip, 7.3 per cent 

Bronze: Holden’s, Old Ale, 7.2 per cent