Sunday 5 October 2014

Winners and photos from the 2013 Beer and Pie Challenge

So the 2014 Beer and Pie Challenge is upon us and, as per tradition, I have left it until now to post the results for last year's competition. In keeping with previous years, I have attempted to reconstruct events from memories, photographs and fragmentary documentary evidence - an exercise that this year is so bereft it has led me to question whether or not the 2013 Beer and Pie Challenge happened at all.

Listen, I've done the best I can. I think these are the results, but if I've arsed it up, do let me know. I have included Hugo's beer-soaked palimpsest and some other notes that were found tucked in a brew box in the attic. Oh, and I've drawn the following artistic impression of the award ceremony, which I have a vague recollection was terribly moving. If you have anything better, do share.



Best beer (grand prix)
Blind tasting letter included as key to the accompanying image.

Here's all the paperwork that survived and made it back to
ours. Hugo's scores, plus rankings for pie, label, name.
1. Dirty Harry (Sean Parry) J
2. Black Cat Milf Stout (Myles Willingale) J
3. Erkenwald 666 (Richard Jones) M
= 4. Headpuncher (Richard Cable) L
= 4. Peter Brew (Myles Willingale) D
= 4. Chertsey Gold (Colette Kitterhing) K
= 5. Islay Malt (Al Davis) F
= 5. Hoppy Christmas Vintage (Al Davis) G
= 5. Sibling Rivalry (Rod Hardcastle) A
= 6. Maiden Voyage (Gary Weber) E
= 6. Try Ale (Yuki Lindstrup) B
7. No Name Beer (Phil Boast) M
8. Killer with Vanilla (Richard Cable) I

Best pie

1. Three Nations Surprise (Tamie Inoue)
2. Game (Rod Hardcastle)
3. Black Bird Pie (Emma Willingale)

Also listed in the Blessed Company of Pie Makers:

  • Pork Pie Not Halaal (Mikakshi Bharal) SPECIAL MERIT
  • Sausage and Egg Picnic Pie (Nicky Penn)
  • Plumage to Catalonia (Lucy, Gabriel and Steve Wood)
  • Mini-me (Rod Hardcastle)
  • Delicious Kent (Tim and Barry Nunan)
  • Chertsey Fidget (Kayte Cable)
  • Not Your Average Pork Pie (Can Hewetson)


Best name

1. Erkenwald 666 (Richard Jones)

Best label

1. Chertsey Gold (Colette Kitterhing)


Prize winners and photos from the 2012 Beer and Pie Challenge [LINK]
Prize winners and photos from the 2011 Beer and Pie Challenge [LINK]
Prize winners and photos from the 2010 Beer Challenge [LINK]
Prize winners and photos from the 2009 Beer Challenge [LINK]