CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has today announced that the Isle of Skye brewery's (of Uig, Isle of Skye) Cuillin Beast has been crowned 'a Champion Beer of Scotland' for 2011 at the Scottish Real Ale Festival, Adam House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The Festival runs from today until Saturday (June 18th).
Cuillin Beast, a 7% ABV strong old ale, is described in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide as a ‘winter warmer; sweet and fruity, and much more drinkable than the strength would suggest. Plenty of caramel throughout with a variety of fruit on the nose.’
Runner up in this year's competition was the Cairngorm brewery’s (of Aviemore, Highlands) Black Gold, while third place went to the Houston brewery's (of Houston, Renfrewshire) Peter’s Well.
Judging the final entrants this year were a panel of CAMRA members, brewers, publicans and beer writers. Judges noted the difficulty in choosing between the sheer quality of all the entrants on show this year.
An elated Angus MacRuary, Managing Director of Isle of Skye Brewing Company, on hearing the results, said:
‘We’re absolutely knocked-out. As one of the earlier new Scottish Brewers, we’ve come close to winning on a number of occasions and couldn’t be more delighted to win this year’
Mr MacRuary went on to credit the Head Brewer, Pam MacRuary, and the rest of the team for all their hard work.
The competition was held at the Scottish Real Ale Festival, Adam House, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, which is open from today until Saturday June 18th and features beers from 38 Scottish brewers. Today’s champion, Cuillin Beast, is part of the range of around 150 excellent beers available at this year’s festival.
For more information on the Scottish Real Ale Festival, please visit www.sraf.org.uk
