Champion Beer of Wales: Winner is Rhymney Brewery of Merthyr Tydfil with their classic beer, Dark

DARK BEER PUTS OTHERS IN THE SHADE

The Champion Beer of Wales competition has been won by Rhymney Brewery of Merthyr Tydfil with their classic beer, Dark. The competition, run by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, was held at the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival at Cardiff City Hall today. The beer was judged by a panel of beer experts from a selection of more than 200 real ales that are brewed every year in Wales. The judges looked at the aroma, appearance, taste and aftertaste of the top beers of Wales and came to the unanimous decision that Rhymney Dark was the best beer brewed in Wales this year. The beer is 3.9% ABV.

Rhymney Brewery was set up 3 years in Merthyr Tydfil ago by father and son team Steve and Marc Evans. Said Steve Evans, “This award is something that we've been aiming for since we started the brewery. It's a dream come to true to win Champion Beer of Wales and have the recognition from CAMRA”.

Traditionally dark beers were the most popular style of beer in the valleys but they gradually gave way to more lighter coloured beers. Recently there has been a resurgence in the style and Rhymney Dark is now the best selling beer in the sole tied house owned by the brewery, the Winchester in Merthyr Tydfil.

According to Gerald Stevenson, sales manager for Rhymney Brewery, “This is like winning the Olympics of the beer world for us. I'm overjoyed at getting this accolade from CAMRA”.

The Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival is open until 11 pm on Saturday and emergency orders of beer have been delivered to make sure the Festival does not run dry. James “Arfur” Daley, CAMRA Press officer said, “It's been a great festival and this award is true recognition for the hard work that Steve and Marc have put in over the years. Rhymney Dark is a fantastic beer with roast malt flavours and an edgy bitterness which makes it an award-winning and highly distinctive real ale. It's our last year here at City Hall but the Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival will return in June at its new home, Cardiff International Arena.

Champion Beer of Wales Results:
1st Rhymney Brewery Dark
2nd Bryncelyn Holly Hops
3rd Bryncelyn Buddy Marvellous

Festival Facts:
· Over 19, 000 pints of real ale, cider and perry will be sold at the festival.
· That’s over 10 tons of beer, cider and perry!
· Over 4000 customers will be attending the 3-day festival.
· 170 different real ales will be available at the Festival.
· The total length of the bars is over 140 foot
· An average of 9 pints every minute will be sold when the Festival is open.
· Around 50 ciders and perries (pear ciders), many from Welsh producers, will also be available to complement the real ales.
· Over 100 staff, all CAMRA volunteers, will be staffing the Festival.
· A range of beers from Germany will also be on sale at the upstairs bar.
· Pub games, stalls and food will be available at the Festival.


The Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival
Cardiff City Hall
Open Thursday 22nd November 12-11,
Friday and Saturday 23rd-24th November 11-11
Admission £3 (£5 after 5pm Friday) includes souvenir glass and programme

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NEW VENUE & DATE FOR GREAT WELSH BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL 2008, 12th-14th JUNE, CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ARENA, CF10 2EQ
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Further Information:
www.gwbcf.org.uk
James ‘Arfur’ Daley, CAMRA Publicity, 0794 185 9902
arfurdaley@hotmail.com
Steve Evans, Rhymney Brewery, 01685 722253

Tags:CAMRA
Cardiff city hall
real ale
Cider

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