Cairngorm Brewery’s Black Gold (4.4% ABV) has been crowned the best beer in Scotland after winning the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) prestigious Champion Beer of Scotland competition.
The session stout was described by judges as having a roast malt which dominates throughout, with a slight smoky aroma which led into liquorice and blackcurrant flavours for a subtle sweetness. The sweet background flavour is complemented by a very long, dry bitter finish. No less than four colours of malt are used to make the grist.
Cairngorm Brewery are no stranger to awards, as Black Gold also won a gold award in the Cask Session Dark Beers category of SIBA’s (Society of Independent Brewers) recent Scottish competition, 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 in the Stouts category.
The Champion Beer of Scotland competition was held at the Ayrshire Real Ale Festival on 6th October.
CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon said “Cairngorm Brewery, which is based in Aviemore, is making some great beers at present. 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 in the Scottish competition were silver prize winner Loch Lomond Brewery’s Bravehop IPA and bronze winner Swannay Brewery’s Dark Munro.
A formal presentation to Cairngorm Brewery will be arranged in due course.
Pictured is Ayrshire & Wigtownshire CAMRA member and festival volunteer Fiona McIsaac with a pint of the winning beer.
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