Driftwood Spars Brewery, in St Agnes, Cornwall, is celebrating two gold medals and a silver in the Society of Independent Brewers’ (SIBA) South West Regional Awards.
“These awards are hotly contested between SIBA brewery members, so this is brilliant recognition from our peers in the industry,” said Mike Mason, Driftwood Spars head brewer.
“We’re especially excited that Codename Robin, an experimental beer first brewed for Christmas 2020, will go through to the national finals. It really hit the mark and has built a cult following in subsequent years.”
An imperial gingerbread stout, Codename Robin won gold in the speciality and flavoured beer category. Presented in a 750ml sharing bottle, the seasonal ale has become a Christmas tradition for small-batch beer aficionados.
Featuring rich molasses and gingerbread notes on the nose, followed up by a smooth, roasty dark chocolate flavour, Codename Robin has a unique, lingering gingerbread finish to compliment its malt sweetness.
Also winning gold at the regional level, this time in the amber, brown. and red ale category, was Alfie’s Revenge, a strong, rich ale with a deep polished red colour.
Named after a legendary stuffed squirrel who was mischievously liberated from the bar at The Driftwood Spars brewpub many years ago — and who has been missing ever since — Alfie’s has a big malt flavour, with prominent chocolate and biscuit notes.
Finally, Midnight Skinny Dipper, from the Cove canned range of contemporary beers, was awarded a silver in the stouts and porters category. This smooth, rich milk stout was inspired by local myths and legends of late-night shenanigans in a moonlit Trevaunance Cove.
