Best UK Draught Beer
Timothy Taylor “Landlord” – a classic hoppy pale ale. There’s no real ale quite like a well cellared pint of this, served at perfect temperature (a few degrees below room temperature). Drank in the Pen & Wig, Cardiff.
Runner up – Arbor Ales “Full of Beans” Mild
Best UK Bottled or Canned Beer
Tiny Rebel “Hot Box” – a “Smoked Indian Ale”. This was a one off brew but I sorely hope they make it again, if possible adding it to their regular line-up. “Hot Box” to me was the epitome of balance, it was smokey, malty and hoppy, all working in perfect harmony to create a truly brilliant beer.
Runner up – Brewdog “Hops Kill?” Red Ale
Best Overseas Draught Beer
Boon “Kriek” – not a particularly rare or sought after beer, but this was my first kriek (cherry lambic) and I really loved it.
Runner up – Southern Tier “Unearthly” IPA
Best Overseas Bottled or Canned Beer
Westvleteren 12 – the one and only, argued by many to be the best beer in the world. It was certainly a very complex beer, and very tasty. Though I have to say though, that perhaps the hype surrounding this beer usually results in a hint of disappointment when you drink it. I much preferred the Quad made by Struise – “Pannepot”, which I had in 2011.
Runner up – Ayinger “Brau Weisse” Hefeweizen
Best Overall Beer
Would have to be “Hot Box” for me.
Best Pumpclip or Label
Best UK Brewery
The Kernel, London – the most consistent brewery I know. Great pale ales and brilliant stouts.
Best Overseas Brewery
Struise, Belgium. For Black Albert, Pannepot and Ignis et Flamma.
Pub/Bar of the Year
Cask Pub and Kitchen, Pimlico – tied with Euston Tap.
Supermarket of the Year
Sainsburys for making a vague effort with their annual beer festival.
Independent Retailer of the Year
Discount Supermarket, Cardiff – tied with The Bottle Shop, Cardiff. Both excellent in their own respects.
Online Retailer of the Year
Beautifulbeers.co.uk – gets hard to get Dutch and Belgian offerings, prompt service and reasonable prices
Best Beer Blog or Website
Here obviously! No, for me it would be http://www.camrgb.org/ which has a really good, simple and objective outlook on beer drinking.
Food and Beer Pairing of the Year
Real ale in sausages. Made by the giggly pig company in Essex, they were the best sausages I’ve ever had.
In 2013 I’d most like to…
Visit Belgium for at least a day trip – get some bottles from Cantillon, go to the Struise shop in Brugge, and generally have an orgy of Belgian beer and food.
In Pursuit of Hoppyness 