Triple Chocoholic wins SIBA accolade

Sponsor Tim Croxson (left) with Saltaire's Tony Gartland

Saltaire Brewery scoops Supreme Champion

A chocolate concoction from Saltaire Brewery has come top of the judging panel’s affections in this year’s Society of Independent Brewers beer competition.

Triple Chocoholic, a seasonal 4.8% abv speciality ale, was named Supreme Champion Friday at SIBA’s annual conference, beating out gold medal winners in eight other categories. The beer derives its name from three additions of chocolate – cocoa in the boil, chocolate syrup in the fermenter and chocolate essences directly in the cask.

Company founder and head brewer Tony Gartland said, “I was shocked to see such an unusual beer to win overall champion. The idea came from trying Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, and I thought I could make a more chocolaty beer than that.”

Saltaire Brewery came to life in 2005 after Gartland decided to exit a successful legal career to become a brewer. The brewery, situated in a former generating hall that provided electricity to the town’s trams, today produces 60 barrels a week on average from a 20 barrel brewhouse.

The award is naturally a boost for the young business. “It’s obviously not as big as (CAMRA’s) Champion Beer,” said Gartland. “But it will put us on the stage with the national wholesalers and the pub groups. It will spread awareness of the company.”

Saltaire picked up a second gold medal on the day, its 4.8% abv Cascade Pale Ale winning the Premium Bitters category. SIBA’s other gold medallists are as follows:

* Milds – Dark Mild, Bank Top Brewery Ltd
* Bitters & Pale Ales – Lord Marples, Thornbridge Brewery
* Best Bitters – Darwin’s origin, Salopian Brewing Co Ltd
* Strong Bitters – Big Chief Bitter, Greenmill Brewery
* Strong Ales – Dorothy Goodbody’s Country Ale, Wye Valley Brewery
* Porters, Strong Milds, Old Ales & Stouts – Guerrilla, Blue Monkey Brewery
* Bottled Beers – Proper Job, St Austell Brewery