Today, 27 April 2023, The Railway in Ketton hosted an award ceremony for two local breweries who received awards from Rutland Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). 

The Grainstore Brewery and Baker's Dozen were both collecting Champion Beer of Britain Regional awards for their beers at the ceremony. 

Nip and Rutland Panther by The Grainstore Brewery, as well as Electric Landlady by Bakers Dozen won Gold awards from Rutland CAMRA. Another Grainstore brew, Rutland Beast, won a Silver award. 

The Rutland CAMRA team selected The Railway in Ketton to host the awards, since they stock many of the beers recognised at the event, and have earned CAMRA awards in the past, winning Pub of the Year in 2022. 

CAMRA is an independent organisation run by volunteers who promote and champion real ale, cider, and traditional British pubs and clubs. 

It is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe. Founded by four real ale enthusiasts back in 1971, today they represent beer drinkers and pub-goers across the UK. 

They are prolific in Rutland, naming a range of local pubs, clubs and breweries in their Good Beer Guide 2023. Venues on this list are The Crown Inn at Great Casterton, Empingham Cricket and Sports Club, The Railway in Ketton, Oakham's The Grainstore Brewery, The Vaults, The Crown Inn, and the Exeter Arms all in Uppingham.

Each spring, summer, autumn and winter, CAMRA representatives from Rutland vote for their favourite pubs and beers and host a range of awards ceremonies each month. 

Jamie and Looby, owners at The Railway, were delighted to host the event and welcomed a lively crowd to watch the awards ceremony, which featured some of the best beers from the East Midlands - a large area including Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. 

The event was introduced by CAMRA Chairman, Rich Harris: "We're gathered here tonight folks to recognise and present CAMRA's Champion Beer of Britain East Midlands Regional Awards to not one but to both of our Rutland Breweries - Bakers Dozen and The Grainstore.

"Firstly thank you for coming along and a special thank you to Jamie and Looby for hosting us. We asked if we could present the awards here at The Railway because apart from being a great little pub that we always enjoy visiting it showcases both of our Rutland breweries by having them permanently on - so well done Jamie, thank you.

"The awards we're presenting tonight are the results of the judging conducted by CAMRA East Midlands Regional Judging panel and has included beers from breweries across the region which incorporates Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland, so there is some serious brewery competition amongst that lot."

The Baker's Dozen team accepted their award first, claiming the Gold award in the Pale, Blond & Golden Ales Premium category for Electric Landlady. 

The Baker's Dozen team accepting their Gold award. Image credit: Nub News.

The duo said: "It's great, as this is a big area and there are some much bigger breweries than us, so to be up there with some of the best it's fantastic. We didn't realise how big the region was actually, so this is brilliant."

Peter from The Grainstore then accepted a whopping 3 awards for some of The Grainstore's most popular brews, including Nip, Rutland Beast and Rutland Panther. 

Peter accepting one of many awards. Image credit: Nub News.

Peter said: "I am delighted. It's nice to get awards from public-run groups. We recently won an industry award, Champion Beer of Britain, but it's nice to be recognised by the people who drink the beer and enjoy local venues."

Congratulations to all involved.

If you haven't heard enough from Rutland CAMRA, click here to find out more about their upcoming beer festival.

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