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

Bristol Beer Factory’s flagship pale ale Independence has been named CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain 2026.

The 4.6% beer took the top title at the Cambridge Beer Festival, beating competition from breweries across the UK.

The award is regarded as one of the highest honours in British brewing and places Independence alongside some of the most celebrated beers in the country’s cask ale history.

Independence was chosen following CAMRA’s judging process, which includes regional heats and multiple rounds of blind tasting by industry experts and CAMRA members.

The win shines a national spotlight on Bristol Beer Factory’s commitment to cask ale and marks a major moment for the independent Bristol brewery.

Brewed at the company’s Ashton Vale brewery, Independence has been one of Bristol Beer Factory’s defining beers for more than 15 years.

The brewery describes it as a bold, modern pale ale that combines American hop character with traditional cask drinkability.

Sam Burrows, managing director at Bristol Beer Factory, said the award came as a surprise. He 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.

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.

CAMRA judges described Independence as having a strong citrus aroma, piney hops and flavours of caramelised citrus, tangerine, grapefruit and digestive biscuit, followed by a dry, peppery, bittersweet finish.

They called the beer refreshing, full-flavoured, fruity and smooth.

The award is a significant boost for Bristol Beer Factory and the wider independent beer scene, at a time when breweries across the UK continue to navigate challenging trading conditions.

It also underlines the continued appeal of cask beer, with Independence’s win celebrating both traditional brewing and Bristol’s reputation for independent food and drink businesses.