Matthew Winter (above) with his Black Magic – Tropical Stout (7 per cent) beer has been crowned winner of the Champion Homebrewer of the Year 2025 competition at the Great British Beer Festival at the NEC Birmingham.

The brew also topped the strong stouts and porters category.

Sponsored by Nailmaker Brewing Co and Brew At Home, the award seeks out the best of homebrewing and showcases the brightest brewers of the future.

Reacting to his win, Matthew said:

"I was absolutely chuffed to have made it as far as winning my category in the first round of judging, and that was prize enough for me. So, to hear that I'd won best in show at the NEC was the cherry on the icing on the cake! I still can't really believe it and I'm very grateful to all the people that have given me feedback on my beer over the years."

In the final judging round at the festival, the homebrewers’ beers were blind tested by a panel of experienced beer judges.

Final round judging coordinator Kevin Travers described the winning beer as: “A full-bodied stout, with a thick creamy head. Incredibly complex with a sweet aroma, loaded with dark fruits and a smoky finish. Really easy drinking for its strength.”

The Silver went to Richard Taylor with The Bishops Tripple (4.4 per cent) which won the brown and red ales, old ales and strong milds category.

The Bronze was awarded to James Bailey with his Because I'm Hoppy! winner of the British and New World IPAs category.

Bailey said: “Wow! I never expected to win this, and I am very happy.”

CAMRA awards director Gary Timmins said: “Whether it’s a hobby that’s been mastered, or an ambition to go on and brew commercially, Champion Homebrewer of the Year showcases the brightest and best people that are taking their beer knowledge home with them.

“A massive congratulations to Matthew, and to everyone who put themselves out there and entered their beers for judging by our expert panels.”

WHO WON WHAT

Overall winners

Gold: Matthew Winter, Black Magic – Tropical Stout

Silver: Richard Taylor, The Bishops Tripple

Bronze: James Bailey, Because I'm Hoppy!

Category winners

Milds

Richard Roseblade, Brolly Wobbler (3.4 per cent)

Session Bitters

Phill Turner, Harlequin and Jester Bitter (3.4 per cent)

Session Pale, Blond and Golden Ales

Ian Benefell, Admiral Nelson (4.1 per cent)

Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales

Richard Roseblade, Sun’s out, Pints out (4.3 per cent)

Brown and Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds

Richard Taylor, The Bishops Tripple (4.4 per cent)

Session Stouts and Porters

Mark Robotham, Hogg End Porter Brew (4.4 per cent)

Premium Bitters

Les Manley, The Full English (5.4 per cent)

Speciality Beers – Differently Produced or Flavoured

Stuart Hubbard, Pink Octopus (5 per cent)

British and New World IPAs

James Bailey, Because I’m Hoppy! (6.8 per cent)

Barley Wines and Strong Ales

David Lutman, Delahop Ernest Asian Bitter (7.2 per cent)

Strong Stouts and Porters including Imperial Stouts and Baltic Porters

Matthew Winter, Black Magic – Tropical Stout (7 per cent)