The Branch makes two annual Beer of the Year awards, one covering breweries in the Branch and Sub Branch area, the other including breweries from the whole of Sussex. These are awarded on the basis of the NBSS scoring over the year, with the proviso that a beer has been scored a meaningful number of times by different people in a variety of pubs or clubs. Because of the severe disruption caused by the pandemic, the most recent awards were made combining the scores from 2020 and 2021. The winner of the Branch Area Beer of the Year was Battle Brewery’s One Hop Wonder. So it was that branch members gathered in the Brewery Tap in Battle High Street to make the award. Branch Chair, Peter Adams, explained how special this award is, because beers are assessed by CAMRA members from near and far in our pubs and clubs, so the winner has been found consistently excellent over the year(s), rather than from a single cask at a single event like a beer festival. The first two pictures show Peter presenting Brewer Ian with award.



The third picture shows Ian with CAMRA’s Brewery Liaison Officer, Mac, and brewery owners Rob (behind) and Jo, proudly showing off the certificate.



Our next two pictures show branch members enjoying the ambiance of and the beer in the Battle Tap; to celebrate the award everyone present was offered a One Hop Wonder on the house.



The final picture shows Ian clutching the award, in accepting it on behalf of the brewery he said he was most proud, it was his first award as a brewer. The constant smile he had all evening showed he meant it and he was rewarded by a hearty round of well deserved applause and cheers as all present raised a glass.