Oakham Ales have added to their trophy cabinet with an overall Gold at the SIBA East Independent Beer Awards, beating brewers from across the East of England.
Buster Grant (left), Megan Breckon, and Andy Slee, of SIBA, accept the award on behalf of Oakham Ales
Oakham’s Icon, a 5% ABV cask-aged IPA, was named overall cask champion in a final round judging against winners from various beer style categories.
The beer is described by Oakham as having “vibrant berry flavours and earthy, pine resin complexity”. Mosaic hops combine with the grapefruit, orange, and tangerine notes of Centennial and the punchy tropical fruit characteristics of Citra.
“Competition was incredibly tough this year, with superb beers across the board, but I’d like to say a particular congratulations to this year’s overall winners, Oakham,” said SIBA chief executive, Andy Slee. “Very well done and well deserved.”
The judging was staged prior to the beer festival at Elgood’s Brewery, Wisbech. Taking the overall silver was Brentwood Brewery, with Chockwork Orange, with Baker’s Dozen picking up bronze for Bull Run.
Dan Curtis, of Brentwood Brewery, said: “This is our most popular beer, so great to see it voted gold in the imperial and strong, and even better silver in the overall category. So, yeah very, very pleased, and a big well done to all the guys back at the brewery and the brewing team.”
Jill Baker, of Baker’s Dozen, said: “Really delighted because Dean [head brewer] is really happy with this beer and he loves it, so he’s going to be delighted and gutted that he’s not here to collect the award himself!
“We first brewed it six years ago and have just reintroduced it, looking to put it into our core range, so this is great news.”
The full results can be read here.
