After success in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition, Swannay Brewery is celebrating more wins at SIBA’s Scottish Independent Beer Awards.
Multi award winner: Swannay Brewery’s Orkney Porter
Orkney Porter (9% ABV) was named overall champion keg beer. The brewery also secured a silver in the class for cask
best British bitters for Orkney IPA, and a bronze in cask British bitters for flagship Scapa Special.
Orkney Porter will now represent Scotland at the SIBA national competition, at Beer X, in Liverpool, in March.
Orkney Porter is one of Swannay’s most revered beers, first brewed more than 15 years ago. With four different malts and three different hop varieties, the beer comes in at 9% ABV. It is very dark, yet deceivingly delicate, with aromas of
roasted grains, berry fruits, and a hint of smoke lending complexity.
In August, Swannay was the only Scottish brewery to win gold in CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain contest, and one of only two to win an award at all. Island Hopping took gold in the session pale, golden, and blonde ales category.
“Orkney Porter is probably the most complex beer we make,” said Lewis Hill, managing director of Swannay Brewery. “There’s nothing easy about it. Even the first stage is tricky as we have to max out our mash tun to get the final beer to 9%. It’s a labour of love from start to finish, and although often a late finish, it’s definitely worth it.
“We have always said that it is deceptively approachable for such a strong beer, and we are thrilled to see it win overall keg champion at the SIBA Scotland Awards. We don’t know why my Dad first decided to brew it all those years ago, but lots of people are certainly glad he did!”
