CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain awards 2026 were announced at the recent Cambridge Beer Festival. The competition is strongly independent with judging taking two years to complete. Each year kicks off with individual nominations from CAMRA members, volunteer tasting panels, and then regional competitions. Every round of judging, including the final, follows a strict blind tasting policy.

The Overall Champion Beer winners for 2026 were:
Gold: Bristol Beer Factory Independence (4.6%)
Silver: Cairngorm Wildcat (5.1%)
Bronze: Driftwood Spars Alfie’s Revenge (6.5%)

Independence (4.6%abv), a premium pale ale from Bristol Beer Factory has been crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2026.
Bristol Beer Factory MD Sam Burrows said: “The lineage of the Champion Beer of Britain is impeccable. It features some of the best beers of all time: Landlord, Bluebird, Cwtch, JHB, Ruby Mild, and now Independence. We could not be more chuffed. “In an era when the majority of our successful contemporaries have prioritised keg, we have remained steadfastly committed to the brilliance of cask. We brew around 60 cask beers per year, but only four all year round. And the one that made our name, the one that blends the tradition of cask with the punch of modern American hop legends, is Independence. It’s been a staple of South West cask pumps for 15 years – what took you so long! We love cask. Raise a glass to independent drinkers, to indie venues, and to our bold, citrusy 4.6% IPA, Independence, or as we call it, Indy. Cheers and thank you from all of us.”
Champion Beer of Britain judging coordinator Christine Cryne described Independence as: “A pale strong beer. Strong enticing citrus nose, with piney hops. Caramelised citrus, tangerines, grapefruit and digestive biscuits lead to dry peppery bittersweet finish, which lingers. Refreshing, full flavoured, fruity and smooth.”

Silver and Bronze runners-up were:
Wildcat (5.1%), a premium bitter by Cairngorm. Judges described Wildcat as: “Toffee, malt hops and a little orange on the nose, with flavours of dark orange marmalade with honey. The spicy hops develop and then linger in a dry bitter finish, which is balanced by some toffee notes. Well balanced and satisfying.”
Cairngorm MD Samantha Faircliff said: “It is absolutely brilliant to get overall Silver in the Champion Beer of Britain competition with Wildcat, alongside winning Gold with Wildcat for Premium Bitters, and Gold for Black Gold in the Session Stout and Porters categories. Two years on the trot, along with similar wins in the CAMRA Winter Beer of Britain competition, is a real testimony to the consistency and the quality of the beers that Head Brewer Liam Anderson and the team are producing here in Aviemore. We would like to sincerely thank CAMRA and its members for their continued support.”

Alfie’s Revenge (6.5%), a strong ale by Driftwood Spars. Judges describes Alfie's Revenge as: “Fruity aroma with toffee and some pear notes. Flavours are estery overlaid with toffee and caramelised fruit. Finish remains sweet, with a bitterness which grows, alongside a little dryness. Full flavoured and rich.”
Driftwood Spars head brewer Tim Lawrence said: “Driftwood Spa is an independent brewpub based in St Agnes. Alfie's Revenge is what we are best known for, a Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2012 winner, brewed by our old head brewer Pete. We haven't changed the recipe since he passed away, and it is faithful to his original recipe. It is a really nice surprise to be recognised, and it honours him.”

CAMRA awards director Shelly Bentley said: “I’m thrilled to bits to see Independence by Bristol Beer Factory claim the 2026 title of Champion Beer of Britain! It is a more than deserving winner. All 12 finalists in the coveted competition are fantastic examples of how the quality of UK brewing continues to climb to new heights. Government must improve the access to market for the UK’s amazing independent brewers, who are being blocked from getting space at the bar by the giant global brewers which have a stranglehold on our pubs. Let’s raise a pint and cheers to Bristol Beer Factory – a thoroughly deserving Champion Beer of Britain!”

Individual Category winners were:
Mild
Gold: Shortts Two Tone (3.8%)
Silver: Harrogate Nidd Mild (3.7%)
Bronze: Magic Dragon Old Magic (3.6%)
Session Bitter
Gold: Purple Moose Cwrw Glaslyn/Glaslyn Ale (4.2%)
Silver: Dancing Duck 22 (4.3%)
Bronze: Ludlow Ludlow Best (3.7%)
Premium Bitter
Gold: Cairngorm Wildcat (5.1%)
Silver: Daleside Monkey Wrench (5.3%)
Bronze: Langham Best (4.5%)
IPAs (English & New World) Gold: Blue Monkey Infinity Plus 1 (5.6%)
Silver: Oakham Green Devil (6.0%)
Bronze: Gun Zamzama (6.5%)
Session Pale, Blond & Golden Ales
Gold: Blue Monkey BG Sips (4.0%)
Silver: Burning Sky Plateau (3.4%)
Bronze: Ossett White Rat (4.0%)
Premium Pale, Blond & Golden Ales
Gold: Bristol Beer Factory Independence (4.6%)
Silver: Two by Two Snake Eyes Pale (4.7%)
Bronze: Surrey Hills Collusion (5.2%)
Brown & Red Ales, Old Ales & Strong Milds
Gold: Harvey’s Old Ale (4.3%)
Silver: Elmtree Nightlight Mild (5.7%)
Bronze: Red Willow Sleepless (5.4%)
b>Session Stouts & Porters
Gold: Cairngorm Black Gold (4.4%)
Silver: Green Jack Lurcher Stout (4.8%)
Bronze: Blackjack Manchester Stout (4.8%)
Strong Stouts & Porters
Gold: Green Jack Baltic Trader Export Stout (10.5%)
Silver: Ramsgate Gadds’ Black Pearl (6.2%)
Bronze: Five Kingdoms Dark Storm (6.9%)
Speciality, Differently Flavoured
Gold: Farm Yard Hoof (4.3%)
Silver: Titanic Cappuccino Stout (4.5%)
Bronze: Cerne Abbas Gurt Coconuts Rum Stout (6.7%)
Speciality, Differently Produced
Gold: London Brewing Beer Street (4.0%)
Silver: Papworth Koura (5.7%)
Bronze: Dorset Jurassic Dark (5.9%)
Barley Wines & Strong Old Ales
Gold: Driftwood Spars Alfie’s Revenge (6.5%)
Silver: Grainstore Nip (7.3%)
Bronze: Holden’s Old Ale (7.2%)