Brewer wins five prizes at festival

Home brewer Mr Ron Allison won five top prizes at the Craft Brewing Association annual festival in Derby, but was named runner-up champion brewer.

He has won the top title for the past two years.

Mr Allison (66) of Spring Lane, Balderton, was among the record entry of more than 120 for the festival.

He won first place in the speciality beer section with a brew called New World IPA which has a strength of 7.1%.

He used North American hops for the beer, which he said gave it a distinctive flavour.

The judges awarded him 53 out of a possible 60 and also named him champion runner-up for the beer.

He gained a highly commended in the same section for his brew called Kiwi Rauchbier which is 4.4%.

He was awarded firsts in the average strength bitter with Golden Quaffing Ale, which is 4.3%, and in the strong dark beer section with Ancient Kiwi, which is 5.5%.

He received a highly commended in the medium strength bitter with New Zealand Gold, which is 4.6%.

Mr Allison is the social secretary for the Newark branch of the Campaign for Real Ale.

He first started brewing in 1970 but took it up more seriously about three years ago.

He uses his own recipes and brews about five gallons at a time every three or four weeks.

He gives some of the beer away.

“It is a very interesting hobby,” he said.

“Despite what people think there are lots of different beers.”