An imperial stout collaboration between Vocation and Neon Raptor has been named drinkers’ favourite at last month’s Norwich Beer Festival.

Vocation Neon Raptor

Runner-up was Xtreme Ales’ Blax Forest Stout. Bronze was divided between three beers with equal votes: Fengate Brewery’s Double India Pale Ale, Three Blind Mice Brewery’s Duality V2, and Old Chimneys Brewery’s Good King Henry.

“This competition means a lot to the breweries, so we would like to thank those who voted,” said festival organiser Craig Harmer. “The Norwich Beer Festival is the best opportunity locally to sample so many beers from local and national producers all under one roof (or rather two adjoining roofs and a marquee!).

“We were delighted with the attendance at this year’s festival and were equally pleased by the continued support last year, after the pandemic lockdown. It is always heart-warming to see the popularity of the festival, now in its 44th year.

“Thanks also go to our amazing team of volunteers who ensure that the festival runs smoothly, with improvements year on year.”

Full classified results

Barley wines and strong ales
Gold: Bruha, XO

Brown, red, and old ales, and strong milds
Gold: Lacons, Old Nogg
Silver: Moon Gazer, Bouchart
Bronze: Moon Gazer, Witch-Hare

IPAs
Joint gold: Fengate, Double India Pale Ale; Three Blind Mice, Duality V2
Bronze: Grain, Lignum Vitae

Milds
Gold: Elmtree, Professor
Silver: Elephant School, White Elephant
Bronze: Beeston, The Squirrels Nuts

Premium bitters
Gold: Harrogate, Harrogate Best
Silver: Beccles Brew Co, Nelson’s Tree
Bronze: Clun, Citadel

Session bitters
Joint gold: Mighty Oak, Bat Juice; Portobello, Star
Joint bronze: Papworth, Crystal Ship; Three Blind Mice, Old Brown Mouse

Premium goldens
Gold: Rudgate, Valkyrie
Silver: Wildcraft, Wild Un Bongo Mango
Bronze: Peerless, Knee Buckler

Session goldens
Gold: Tindall, Galaxy Dream
Silver: Papworth, Fen Skater
Bronze: Boudicca, Queen of Hops

Session stouts and porters
Gold: Xtreme, BlaX Forest Stout
Silver: Elephant School, My Milk Stout Brings all the Bulls to the Yard
Bronze: Wilde Child, Clique Fiesta Biscoff

Strong stouts and porters
Gold: Vocation and Neon Rapto, Imperial Stout
Silver: Old Chimneys, Good King Henry
Bronze: Xtreme, Rhubarb X Custard

Speciality beers, differently produced
Gold: Moon Gazer, Full Caff Pale
Silver: Green Jack, Big Dog
Bronze: Opa Hay’s, Liquid Bread

Speciality beers, differently flavoured
Gold: Xtreme, Ales Strawberry Xtreme
Silver: Brew York, Rhubarbra Streisand
Bronze: Mr Winter’s, Vanilla Latte