CAMRA's new Golden Awards celebrate 50 years of promoting beer and cider - a proud Yorkshire tradition

These days, a merry band of enterprising independents have spearheaded something of a renaissance in beer-making in the region.

So it is timely that the Campaign for Real Ale, CAMRA, is launching a new Golden Awards to celebrate its 50 years of action.

The scheme celebrates the people, pubs, clubs, breweries and cider producers who have changed the face of the industry over the last five decades and inspired the latest wave of start-ups.

CAMRA members and non-members alike are invited to make a nomination for a series of awards to be announced throughout 2021.

A total of 50 recipients will be recognised for their valuable contribution to the industry and their dedication to improving consumer choice since CAMRA was founded in 1971.

Big brewing names associated with the region include Timothy Taylor’s in Keighley, Theakston in Masham and Tetley’s, which was founded and for many years brewed in Leeds.

More recently, the profiles of companies such as Northern Monk and North Brewing Co in Leeds, Magic Rock in Huddersfield and Brew York have increased during a growth in independent brewing and consumption.

Russ Clarke, who runs recent start-up Amity Brew Co in Farsley, Leeds, is inspired by the region’s beer-making history.

He said: “We can only go on what people have created before us, that for us is key. Yorkshire, especially, has an incredibly strong brewing tradition. The whole set up at Amity is that we would be bringing classic beers we’ve loved and are inspired by and doing our own take on it.”

One of the company’s own products, Red Lane, is made in tribute to traditional bitter flavours. But when it comes to the old guard in Yorkshire, it is a Timothy Taylor’s Landlord for Mr Clarke, 36.

“A pint of Landlord by the fire in (Leeds pub) Whitelock’s - I think 95 per cent of the whole beer industry is looking forward to when we can do that again.”

Nominations for the Golden Awards come in three categories: pubs, pints and people.

Lynn Atack, awards organiser, said: “CAMRA was founded to demand something better and give a voice to the consumer. As a result, we have 2,000 brewers across the country today.

"The last year has been incredibly difficult for both the beer and pubs industries, and we are already seeing both in decline because of forced closures, restrictions, and curfews. To see such massive changes, in such a short period of time, demonstrates how relevant an organisation like CAMRA still is today.

"That’s why it’s more important than ever before to shout about the last 50 years of campaigning to demonstrate just what can be achieved when we come together in support of the beer and pubs industry.”

Nominations will close on March 16, CAMRA’s 50th anniversary.

Make a submission by visiting camra.org.uk/50-years/golden-awards.