Top British beers

Ahead of the first ever Beer Day Britain, the “There’s a beer for that” campaign cherry-picks eight of Britain’s “greatest beers”.

Founded by beer sommelier Jane Peyton the first Beer Day Britain – a national day to celebrate the best of beer in Britain – will take place on 15 June.

Britain’s 2014 Beer Sommelier of the Year, Jane Peyton is also an author, public speaker and events producer, as well as Beer Day Britain’s project manager.

Its launch will coincide with the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta, in which ale is given a prominent mention.

“Let there be throughout our kingdom a single measure for wine and a single measure for ale and a single measure for corn, namely the London quarter”, reads Clause 35 of the document.

“Beer Day Britain gives the nation a real opportunity to celebrate the incredible beer available in Britain from home and abroad, and to feel proud of our national drink”, said Peyton.

“We are encouraging the nation to join us in a national cheers to beer on June 15th at 12.15pm – in reflection of the year the Magna Carta was sealed – and rejoice in the country’s love of beer.”

There’s A Beer For That, an beer industry campaign backed by Britain’s Beer Alliance which aims to educate and excite the public on the quality, diversity and versatility of beer, is backing Beer Day Britain.

David Cunningham, programme director for There’s a Beer for That said: “Our ambition is to drive a renaissance for Britain’s love of beer and we are really excited to work with ‘Britain’s Sommelier of The Year 2014’ Jane Peyton, to get behind Beer Day Britain and invest our support in a campaign that is so closely aligned with our objectives.”

For more information on Beer Day Britain and the activities taking place, click here. 

Click through to see which beers get the vote as “Britain’s greatest”…

Elgood’s Black Dog

“This award-winning traditional dark mild ale is well balanced and has a full roast flavour with hints of dark chocolate and raisins, plus a touch of caramel.”

3.6% abv

Available at www.waitrose.com from £1.99 per 100ml bottle

Fuller’s London Porter

“Brewed using pale, crystal, brown and chocolate malts, this tasty London Porter has a rich, dark and complex flavour and pairs well with a wide variety of foods especially chocolate and coffee desserts.”

5.4% abv

Available at www.sainsburys.co.uk for £2.00 per 500ml bottle

Ilkley Brewery’s Mary Jane pale ale

“Packed with aromatic American hops, this flavoursome pale ale has a refreshing crisp taste and has strong citrus aromas and a refreshing finish.”

3.5% abv

Available at www.alesbymail.co.uk for £2.70 per 500ml bottle

Hilden’s Irish Stout

“A mature tasting stout, with a tasty combination of roasted barley and hops give a full -bodied chocolate and coffee flavour.”

Available at www.therealalecompany.co.uk for £2.69 per 500ml bottle

4.3% abv

Shepherd’s Neame’s Bishops Finger

“This strong ale is brewed with Kentish hops and has a firm, fruity foundation of crystal malt and cinnamon and a soft bitter orange finish.”

5.4% abv

Available at www.tesco.com for £1.64 per 500ml bottle

Greene King’s IPA Reserve

“This premium strength IPA is warming full-bodied ale; grapefruit and orange citrus tones combine and floral hops deliver a dry bitter finish.”

5.4% abv

Available at www.tesco.com for £1.64 per 500ml bottle

Brewdog’s Punk IPA

“This fresh, full flavour natural beer is an explosion of tropical fruit flavours including grapefruit, pineapple and lychee, leaving a sharp bitter finish.”

5.6% abv

Available at brewdog.com for £1.80 per 330ml bottle

Meantime Raspberry Wheat Beer

“Based on a pale, lightly hopped wheat beer, Meantime raspberry wheat beer has a refreshingly crisp fruitiness and a wildly refreshing zesty finish perfect for those with a sweet tooth.”

5% abv

Available at beermerchants.com for £2.35 per 330ml bottle