ACORN SUCCESS AT NATIONAL BEER CONTEST
South Yorkshire’s Acorn Brewery has toasted success for Gorlovka Imperial Stout in a national beer competition.
The premium strength brew first scooped a gold award in the stout category before going on to win the contest’s bronze accolade at the Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) National Winter Ales Festival – which judges stouts, porters, barley wines and old ales from throughout the country.
This success came only days after the Barnsley brewer’s new Conquest ale triumphed with an overall bronze - after first claiming gold in the strong ales category - at the SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) North Beer Competition.
Gorlovka (ABV 6%) is named after Barnsley’s Ukrainian twin town. During the 19th century stout was brewed strong to sustain the journey to the Baltic, where it was very popular with the Russian Imperial Court. Gorlovka is described as: ’Full bodied stout, rich in roast malts and dark fruits with chocolate and coffee notes delivered in both the aroma and taste. Challenger hops add a bitter spiciness and dry finish to the fruity aftertaste’.
Acorn head brewer Dave Hughes (pictured*) said: “We have just had a wonderful start to 2010. Winning two major awards is a terrific boost for all the team. It comes just after a tremendous festive season with sales up by nearly a third on last year. Cask beer is becoming increasingly popular, so it is particularly rewarding for us to know our ales have again been voted amongst the country’s best by both beer drinkers and our fellow professionals.”
Acorn saw sales leap by 29 per cent over the festive season. Since brewing began in 2003 Acorn has doubled production capacity to a 20 barrel-brew -length and won more than forty brewing awards from both Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) and trade bodies for core beers Barnsley Bitter, Barnsley Gold and Old Moor Porter. Recently Acorn Blonde has been added to the range along with Conquest.