Shropshire Star

Oracle and Hop Twister lead the way as Salopian Brewery strikes festival gold

A Shropshire brewery is celebrating a hat-trick of medals in the Campaign for Real Ale's national competition.

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Wilf Nelson of Salopian Brewery with previous awards the brewery has won

Salopian Brewery, based in Hadnall, near Shrewsbury, took gold, silver and bronze medals in the Great British Beer Festival, held at Olympia in London, winning more awards than any other brewery in the country.

Salopian's Oracle took first prize in the Best Golden Ale category, followed by its Hop Twister which came second.

The brewery's Darwin's Origin took bronze in the best bitter award. It is the third time it five years that the beer has won an award at the event.

Managing director Wilf Nelson said he was pleased with the medal haul.

"We're quite pleased that we won in the Golden Ales category, as that is what is mostly brewed in this country these days," he said.

"I'm not sure if this is the first time we have won three awards, I know we have won two before.

"We've had quite a good run over the last few years."

He said he believed the key to Salopian's success was producing quality beers which had a bit of character that made them stand out from the crowd.

"I suspect what the judges look for is first of all competence, they want to see beers that have been brewed well," said Mr Nelson.

"Then they will look for an amount of character, it's got to have an amount of flavour.

"Golden ales on sale at the moment tend to be quite heavily hopped, not all, but I would say most are at the moment. I suppose the judges are looking for a bit of excitement."

The overall Champion Beer of Britain was Broken Dream Breakfast Stout, brewed by Surrey-based Siren.

In second place was Ripper, from Lowestoft-based Green Jack, while third place went to Workie Ticket from Mordue in North Shields.