Bitter taste of real success for brewery

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) announced that Raj IPA, an Indian pale ale from the Tryst Brewery, was its 2016 Champion Beer of Scotland.

Raj IPA was chosen for the prestigious award in a blind tasting competition by a panel of expert judges at CAMRA’s flagship event in Scotland, the Scottish Real Ale Festival.

The festival, organised annually by the Campaign for Real Ale, was held at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange last weekend.

Ray Turpie, CAMRA director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “Raj IPA is a fine example of a traditional strong bitter at 5.5 per cent alcohol by volume.

“Congratulations to everyone at the Tryst Brewery on being worthy winners of this most prestigious of CAMRA’s awards in Scotland.”

India Pale Ale was developed in colonial times and was originally brewed with a high enough alcohol content to survive the long voyage to India where it refreshed troops.

John McGarva, owner of Tryst Brewery, said: “We have been making Raj IPA since 2005.

“It is brewed exclusively with traditional British hops and Scottish pale malt which give the beer a perfect balance between the hop and malt flavours and a fresh, hop aroma.

“As well as being a great drink on its own, it’s the perfect companion to any curry dish.

“It has already won awards from CAMRA for being the best strong bitter in Scotland but to win overall Champion Beer of Scotland is a crowning achievement.”

CAMRA is an independent, voluntary organisation campaigning for real ale, community pubs and consumer rights.