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!