Wednesday 21 March 2012

2012 Bottled Beer of Norfolk Competition

The Norwich and Norfolk branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) are running a Bottled Beer of Norfolk competition again this year after the successful launch in 2011. The first competition was won by Why Not Brewery’s Chocolate Nutter.

In 2011, the Norfolk Taste Panel decided to extend the scope of its tasting to include Real Ale In A Bottle. This was partly to follow national CAMRA policy, partly to ensure entries in the Champion Beer of Britain category, partly to foster better relations with local brewers, but mainly to meet together and enjoy some quality local ales.

Alan Edwards, the Bottled Beer of Norfolk competition organiser, said: “The competition is a great way for breweries to showcase their beers and get them to a wider audience. A big thank you to all the breweries that entered the first competition which made it such a success, proving again the great variety of Norfolk Real Ale that is available, hence we are launching the 2012 competition”.

The competition is open to any commercial brewery in Norfolk producing Real Ale in a Bottle with the closing date the 31st March.

With around thirty breweries in the county, and seven categories, each Norfolk brewery is limited to nominating four beers. This might be reviewed in the light of actual entries but the panel will potentially have 120 beers to taste.

A monumental challenge but one the panel is uniquely equipped for; the tasting panel is used to some forthright and spirited discussions regarding real ale! ‘Blind’ tastings will take place, one category at a time, between April and September.

All breweries should have received an entry form already, however if any brewery hasn’t so far, please contact Alan Edwards via e-mail arted1@ntlworld.com.