Newcastle Beer Festival 2015: Hop and Cleaver Wins Top Prize

Thousands of beer enthusiasts gathered in Newcastle upon Tyne for the 39th Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival, where 19 local breweries showcased their best British brews. The competition, known as the Battle of the Beers, saw Hop and Cleaver's Quayside Porter take the top prize, with Anarchy Brew Co's God Save the Queen and Almasty's Homegrown Pale securing second and third place, respectively. The festival, which runs for four days, features a wide range of British beers and ciders, with many unique and innovative brews on offer.

Key Takeaways:

• Hop and Cleaver's Quayside Porter won the top prize in the Battle of the Beers contest, with 100% of the judges agreeing on its excellence.
• Anarchy Brew Co's God Save the Queen came in second, while Almasty's Homegrown Pale took third place.
• The 19 competing breweries were required to use only British malts, hops, yeast, and water to brew their beers.
• The festival features over 25,000 pints of British beer and cider, making it a premier event for beer enthusiasts.
• Thursday is designated as "Hat Day" at the festival, with attendees competing for prizes for their most creative headwear.
• Charity St Oswald's Hospice will be selling hats to raise funds for the event.
• Local band The Happy Cats will perform at the festival on Saturday afternoon.

Statistics:

• 19 breweries participated in the Battle of the Beers contest.
• Over 25,000 pints of British beer and cider will be served during the festival.
• 100% of the judges agreed on Hop and Cleaver's Quayside Porter as the winner.
• 17 of the competing breweries were from the North East of England.

Sources:

• Leader Live (Newcastle Journal)
• Newcastle Beer Festival website