Cairngorm Brewery’s stout, Black Gold (4.4% ABV), has been crowned the best beer in Scotland by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA member, and festival volunteer, Fiona McIsaac, with a pint of the winning beer
The session stout was described by judges as having a roast malt which dominates throughout, with a slight smoky aroma leading into liquorice and blackcurrant flavours for a subtle sweetness. The sweet background flavour is complemented by a very long, dry bitter finish. Four colours of malt are used to make the grist.
The Cairngorm Brewery team are no strangers to awards. Black Gold also won a gold award in SIBA’s recent Scottish competition, in the session dark beers class, and a silver in SIBA’s overall champion Scottish cask beer final. The beer was awarded gold in CAMRA’s Winter Beer of Britain 2012 competition.
“Cairngorm Brewery, which is based in Aviemore, is making some great beers at present,” said CAMRA’s Scotland director, Stuart McMahon.
“Black Gold was a very worthy winner, despite the strong competition from the other category winners. It is a very good example of a rich stout, with the strong roast and burnt malts to the fore, but with a lovely smooth, bitter but sweet aftertaste.”
Runners up was Loch Lomond Brewery’s Bravehop IPA, with the bronze award going to Swannay Brewery’s Dark Munro.
