Origins of the Chertsey Beer Challenge

The inaugural Chertsey Beer Challenge was held in 2009 and organised by the Chertsey Otters RFC, whose members came up with the idea during the dire England vs Ireland Six Nations match last year.

Having drunk a lot of beer, we reasoned: how difficult can it be to make your own? Not difficult at all, as it happens.

The idea behind the Challenge is for amateur/rank-beginner brewers to have a crack at making their own beer, and for that beer to be judged by a professional brewer who actually knows what he's talking about.

We expanded the competition to include 'Best name' and 'Best label' categories, because a decent beer always has a cracking name and a label to match. Plus, it encourages our brewers to make their beers a team effort and express the full range of their creativity. Or something.

In a fit of patriotism we decided it should be held annually on the nearest weekend to St George's Day.

The Beer Challenge is about having a go. All-comers - especially the under-represented female brewers among you - are welcome. And it's definitely the taking part that counts!

Prize winners and photos from the 2009 Beer Challenge

The final of the inaugural Chertsey St George's Day Beer Challenge was held on Sunday 26 February 2009. The standard of the entries, which included a Tudor butter beer and a late entry all the way from Argentina, was absolutely outstanding.


Photos from the day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37893203@N08/sets/72157617404517676/ [LINK]

The Results
Best name

1. Floozing Flax Wench (Kayte Cable)
2. The Otterman Empire (Uli Kleinsteuber)
3. Blind Lynesman (Craig Hazledine)

Best label

1. Woodwammer (Ben Gilbey)
2. Dragon Slayer (Debbie Greenwood)
3. The Otterman Empire (Kate Lumsden)
Best beer

1. Willingale's Willing Ale (Myles Willingale) - 12 points (of 14 possible)
2. No Thanks I'm Driving (Richard Cable) - 12 points
3. B'George (Steve Dobson) - 11 points
4. Woodwammer (Sean Parry) - 11 points
5. Patricio's Beer (Patricio Zapata) - 10 points
6. Queen B (Big Gay Al Davis) - 9 points
7. The Otterman Empire (Uli Kleinsteuber) - 7 points
8. Blind Lynesman (Craig Hazeldine) - 7 points
9. Dragon Slayer (Chris Greenwood) - 6 points
10. The Unknown Soldier (Patrick Martin) - 5 points
11. Floozing Flax Wench (Kayte Cable) - Ungraded

Congratulations to everyone who took part. A fantastic day and a great standard all round!