Golden Pints' Awards For 2011

Considering everyone else is doing this I may as well add my own coverage; thoughts and perceptions on 2011.

All in all 2011 has been a mixed-bag of a year for me. Still no progress with the job front yet a massive overhaul of project work which is seriously gaining ground fast and should hopefully see light of day sometime in the second quarter or around Easter of 2012.

2011 for beer has been utterly fantastic. I've been lucky enough to time my events around short-term temporary employment situations; having a unique ability to budget in the limited constraints of these environments and some wonderfully generous people on the continent and domestic have really eased a lot of potential stress and personal pain which I am going through.

Anyway my Golden Pints' nominations are as follows:

Best UK Draught Beer

1 Brew Wharf Vs Danko

The saison which I've been waiting to happen on tap in the uk for a long time. So good. All the correct saison elements with an added special edge. Wonderful beer and a delight to consume.

2 Magic Rock Cannonball - So stunningly balanced and elegant. A stunning beer which I can drink copiously if threatened or politely asked. A great tropical fruit-storm in a glass. Something wonderous which I keep on going back to when I can find it.

Best UK Bottled or Canned Beer

The Kernel Citra - Just hits me so hard every time I have it. Just as good as the other best UK Citra hopped beer - Oakham Citra but maybe better. WOW.

Best Overseas' Draught Beer

Alvinne Beer Geek Wedding - Mes and Sim's Wedding

The best new sour beer of the year and something special it is. Just pips De Struise Black Messy. Stunning work and something I can keep on drinking again and again. It also gets better with age. Can't thank Tom enough for getting me the samples when he does.

Best Overseas Bottled or Canned Beer

Ballast Point Sculpin. Have been very fortunate to have this via trade or generosity a couple of times. Now it is on at Brewdog Camden for a bargain price of £10 I can enjoy it in the UK. Simply the best IPA on the market.

Best Overall Beer

The Kernel 1890 Export

I can't remember how many times I've drunk this beer. This says it all really. A world-clsss imperial stout by a world-class brewery.

Best Pumpclip or Label

Brew Wharf's 'Danko v Brewwharf'. WOW. Great artwork which takes me back to my Amiga days.

Best UK Brewery

The Kernel for pushing all the boundaries in all the right places.
Thornbridge for being stunning at everything and pushing things in the markets where craft beer drinkers can feel safe once again.

Best Overseas' Brewery

Alvinne

Amazing sour beers and new direction with a new brew kit. Expect to be making big things in 2012.

Pub/Bar of the Year

The Craft Beer Company. It has the Cad in it. Mario works there. I can get the best beer extremely easily and knowing I am close to friends and a perfect night out.

Beer Festival of the Year

Mes and Simone's Wedding. It had De Struise. Yes.

Supermarket of the Year

Sainsburrys for selling Punk IPA for a stupid price in cans.

Independent Retailer of the Year

Utobeer for still going and for getting those big bad Goose Island imperial stouts

Online Retailer of the Year

MyBreweryTap - Thornbridge and Magic Rock!! YES PLEASE.

Best Beer Book or Magazine

How To Brew by John Palmer - not got Des' book yet but will do soon

Best Beer Blog or Website

Thornbridge Dom's and Scoopergen for all that data from Gazza

Best Online Brewery Presence

Gazza's e-mails on Scoopergen and Rate Beer.

Food and Beer Pairing of the Year

Roman Pizza in Bir Et Fud with whatever Manuelle was giving me. WOW.

In 2012 I’d most like to..

Launch 'Ale Ticker' and rejuvenate the image of craft beer

In 2012 I’m most looking forward to...

Ale Ticker. Alvinne Craft Beer Festival. Job. Going to Bir Et Fud and hopefully brewing at BrewWharf.

Best beer I’ve drunk in a brewery in 2011

BrewWharf V Danko from the tank

Second

Eddie's beer from the fermentation tank.

Third

Harwich Town double ipa from the fermentation tank.

I love visiting breweries!

Twitter of the year

Emma J Cole - constantly cracking me up and top music buys.
Special mention - Beery Matt.

Blogger of the year:

Chris O's Beer Blog. Outstanding coverage of the trade and my most trusted festival accompaniment. Thanks Chris.