Mike Dickinson of sponsors Russell Scanlan presents the trophy to Nik Milo of Cotswold Spring Brewery, winners of this year's SIBA Supreme Champion Beer Award

A Mild from Gloucestershire-based Cotswold Spring Brewery today took the top title of SIBA Supreme Champion Beer 2011, as the National Beer Competition winners were announced at the close of the organisation’s annual conference
in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Old Sodbury, a 3.9% Mild, won the Gold Award in the Mild category before going on to scoop the Supreme Champion prize. Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards were also made in a further seven cask categories. In addition, the winners of SIBA’s Bottled Beer and its first-ever Craft Beer in Keg competitions were announced today, with the Supreme Champion titles going to London-based Kernel Brewery and Glasgow brewer Noah Beers (for Export Stout London 1890 and Hefe-Weizen respectively).

The cask winners were selected last month at The Canalhouse in Nottingham from 56 finalists, who had progressed through regional competitions. Top bottles from each of the seven SIBA regions also competed for the Champion Bottled Beer title, while the Craft Beer in Keg competition saw 50 beers compete in eight categories.

Nik Milo, head brewer at Cotswold Spring Brewer, said, “It’s a real thrill to win the top prize. Old Sodbury, which we’ve been brewing since 2007, has a more complex flavour than most milds, thanks to the selection of at least seven grains used in its production.

“Winning this Award means that Old Sodbury, currently a seasonal ale, will become one of our regular beers, and we will undoubtedly need to expand our brewing capacity to meet the increase in demand.”

Julian Grocock, SIBA chief executive, said, “The success of the competition reflects that of the local brewing sector. Brews from SIBA members offer the quality, taste, individuality and provenance that consumers are looking for in increasing numbers. It’s not surprising that our Awards are keenly desired by the dynamic and innovative craft brewers who make up the SIBA membership.”