GLOUCESTERSHIRE ECHO (Business section March 14 2006) GOFF’S BLACK KNIGHT WINS WINTER ALE PRIZE

Cotswold based Goff’s Brewery has received another accolade for one of it’s traditional beers. It’s Black Knight, a ruby-red malty beer, has been voted the third best winter ale in Great Britain.

The award was made at the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Beer Festival in Manchester – the largest event of it’s kind in the country.

Goff’s, a family business founded in Winchcombe 12 years ago, was one of many small independent breweries from all over the UK represented at the event.

The winter beer championship, which is judged independently by CAMRA, was started in 1997 to showcase some of this country’s “forgotten” seasonal brews such as stouts, porters, strong milds and old ales. In addition to coming third over-all Goff’s Black Knight 5.3% ABV, was awarded the silver medal in the Old and Strong Ale category.

Tony Aburrow, chairman of Gloucestershire CAMRA, said “Gaining a medal in such a prestigious national competition is a tremendous achievement for Goff’s Brewery, and a just reward for a Black Knight, which is a magnificent ale”.

Goff’s Brewery also produces three principal beers – Jouster, Tournament and White Knight as well as it’s Ales of the Round Table series – twelve different style bitters made on a rotational basis. White Knight is the first of Goff’s beers to become available bottled as well as on draught. It is also unusual in that it can be ordered direct from the brewery as well as being enjoyed in local hostelries.

The brewery supplies its beer daily across Gloucestershire and further afield via national wholesalers. Its brews are marketed as far away as Yorkshire, Cornwall and even the Western Isles of Scotland. The brewery was founded in Winchcombe by Marcus and Alison Goff with the aim of founding a family business.

Marcus’ father Brian Goff created the first batch of Jouster in 1994. The beer went on to win top awards from CAMRA. It’s Sleepless Knight beer was inspired by the period following the birth of Marcus and Alison’s two daughters.