GAVIN AITCHISON finds out what’s top of the hops at this year’s York festival of beer.

TODAY’S the day. If you’ve not yet been to Knavesmire, then get yourself there.

Forget the independence referendum and “better together”. Try bitter together instead. Or mild together. Or stout, or porter, or IPA, or saison or lager together.

As ever, the range at the York Beer and Cider Festival has been astonishing.

The York branch of the Campaign for Real Ale can be rightly proud of what it has achieved, introducing thousands of people to new breweries, beers and styles. But what were the stand-outs?

We asked some local landlords and brewers to name the best new beer they discovered, and one clear winner emerged.

Brass Castle, from Malton, were singled out by three of our six panellists, and also won nine awards at the event - three in the LocAle judging and six in the Society of Independent Brewers competition.

Look out for their bar, and the other beers below, if you are heading along today to help empty the final barrels.

Cheers!
 

Shaun Collinge, landlord of The Maltings in Tanner’s Moat:

“I do not always stray too far from what I like but I did like Bad Seed’s Waimea Pale Ale. It was very, very nice; I like hops like that with a bitterness on the end, and I really like what the Bad Seed lads are doing.”

Tom Renshaw, landlord of The Waggon and Horses in Lawrence Street:

“Brass Castle’s Wallop was absolutely stunning; it’s a Yorkshire Stingo-style beer aged and served in a sherry butt. It had a really rich, syrup-like sherry flavour and was absolutely amazing.”

Giles Seddon, manager of The Fox in Holgate:

“The one that was my favourite was Snow Eater by Brass Castle. It was absolutely fantastic - very hoppy and full-flavoured.”

Stuart Neilson, of North Riding Brewery in Scarborough:

“The stand-out for me was the one that won the LocAle competition: Comfort-ably Numb by B.A.D in Dishforth. It has an American hop character and is a well-rounded pale session beer with a massive fruity finish.”

Kev Jones, landlord of Brigantes in Micklegate:

“The highlight for me was Cumulonimbus by Brass Castle [a dark cloudy beer]. It had a vast depth of flavour and loads going on to excite the palate.”

Paul Marshall, landlord of The Rook and Gaskill in Lawrence Street:

“My favourite was RoShamBo, a collaboration between Wharfebank and Broadford. It was dark and so, so full of flavour, a completely different beer to the normal Wharfebank range.”

Twitter: @PintsofView