Beer from all over the world is served in Nottingham pubs but it's a locally brewed ale that is setting taste buds alight. Rebel session IPA, from Navigation Brewery, has been crowned the best in the Midlands.
It's an impressive feat for the three-man operation that trounced some of the big boys of the brewing world. With the taste of of tropical fruits and citrus and a well-balanced hoppy bitterness, the beer is described as a punchy session which delivers aroma and flavour without holding back.
Not only did the brewery take gold, it also scooped silver for its American IPA in the annual Regional Independent Beer Awards, organised by SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers Association). Some of the more speciality beers also took silver and bronze awards including Key Lime Pale, Pog Slammer and Arizona Wave.
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Gravitational Anomaly, a 11.5% Imperial Stout won gold in Imperial and Strong Beer category, making it the best imperial in the Midlands. As the results came in, head brewer, Dom Flynn, was canning their Nottingham Forest Pale Ale ready for the big Forest vs Arsenal game on Saturday.
His phone started buzzing uncontrollably with notifications as the WhatsApp messages of congratulations came flooding in. Dom said: “The brewery team are ecstatic with, once again, winning such prestigious awards. With just three members of staff to go up against giants like Thornbridge, Titanic and Castle Rock and to come out on top is genuinely humbling.
"Having a small team means it’s a really hands-on collective, but with beer quality, innovation and high standards for consistency being at the forefront of our approach to the job. If we can do that with a smile on our faces and enjoy a beer on the way, then we are lucky guys.
"Our approach to ingredients and brewing methods is constantly reviewed and tweaked and over the last five years we have spent a lot more on the ingredients - that has paid dividends in the final, award winning, product. One of the jobs within the team is development brewer - it's not even June yet and we have released 26 new beers so far this year and with Nottingham Craft Beer Festival around the corner we have loads more on the way - safe to say we’re a busy bunch.
"I don’t take anything for granted. Winning awards naturally puts you in a bracket with other award-winning breweries, but for me the fact that we’ve won over 30 awards over the last few years shows that its not a lucky punch, we are making award winning beer on a regular basis and there’s no secret to that its down to fantastic team I have at his brewery, who I can't thank enough.
The best place to sample the beers is at the brewery tap house, the Trent Navigation, also on Meadow Lane, which always has the American and Rebel brands on tap as well as a selection from the speciality and guest range. Rebel is sporadically available at The Old Angel, Curious Tavern, Tap & Tumbler, in Nottingham city centre, The Blues Dawg in Mapperley, and Gilt Bingham.
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