Bristol Beer Factory’s Independence Crowned CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain 2026

Bristol Beer Factory’s flagship pale ale Independence (4.6%) has been crowned CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2026, the highest honour in UK brewing.

The announcement was made at the prestigious Cambridge Beer Festival, where Independence fought off competition from across the country to take the top title following a rigorous blind tasting process judged by industry experts and CAMRA members.

The award places Independence alongside some of the most celebrated beers in British brewing history and shines a national spotlight on Bristol Beer Factory’s long-standing commitment to cask ale.

Sam Burrows, Managing Director at Bristol Beer Factory, said: “Over the last few years, we’ve stayed away from awards you must pay to enter, so to get the call from CAMRA was a real surprise! Furthermore, discovering the process of how you’re nominated and the judging process gives everyone involved with BBF a real sense of achievement.”

He continued: “Our commitment to cask has never wavered. Our team live and breathe cask. It represents beer in its purest form. As we say at BBF, cask is king!”

Brewed at Bristol Beer Factory’s Ashton Vale brewery, Independence has been a defining beer for the brewery for more than 15 years: a bold, modern pale ale built on American hop character and traditional cask drinkability.

CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition is regarded as the most respected cask beer award in the world, with judging taking place over two years through regional heats and multiple rounds of blind tasting.

CAMRA judges described Independence as:

“A pale strong beer. Strong enticing citrus nose, with piney hops. Caramelised citrus, tangerines, grapefruit and digestive biscuits lead to a dry peppery bittersweet finish, which lingers. Refreshing, full flavoured, fruity and smooth.”

The win marks a major moment for both Bristol Beer Factory and the wider independent beer scene, celebrating the continued strength and relevance of cask beer in the UK.