BITTER CROWNED BEST IN WORLD – WITH A RECIPE UNCHANGED FOR NEARLY 180 YEARS
A Joseph Holt beer prepared to the same recipe for nearly 180 years has just been crowned the best in the world.
Joseph Holt Bitter beat competition to clinch gold at the 2026 International Brewing Awards – widely regarded as the Oscars of the brewing industry – with brands competing from across the globe.
The gong forms part of a bumper haul for the 176-year-old Joseph Holt brewery at this year’s awards. While many of its beers have won awards over the years, this represents the company’s most successful set of results to date.
Said Phil Parkinson, Head Brewer at Joseph Holt: “It was absolutely thrilling to be awarded so many medals at this year’s competition – not least our legendary Bitter, whose recipe has remained unchanged since it was first brewed in 1849.
“What’s more, another of our beers, Fool’s Gold, won silver in the same category – which while still a cask beer is far paler than our Bitter and is full of tropical fruit aromas from the hops. Taking Gold and Silver for an old and a new beer with completely different flavour profiles made success all the sweeter.”
“Although we make many award-winning ales and lagers, Joseph Holt was, if you like, built on our Bitter and it reflects our proud Northern heritage. And with its deep, clear amber colour, clean bitterness and full white head it has become something of an icon among English beers.”
Joseph Holt Bitter has also become increasingly popular with younger drinkers inspiring the brewery to relaunch the beer last year as its ‘newest vintage’. It is also finding increasing popularity with women.
The International Brewing Awards attract entries from across the world with several hundred beers judged by industry experts.
Other gold medals were awarded to bottled beer Humdinger, an already multi-award-winning light golden ale with a refreshing, slightly bitter taste and notes of Mexican honey and citrus.
Another long-standing recipe to be recognised was Sixex, which claimed a silver medal. The bottled beer, first produced by Joseph Holt in 1901, made with rich crystal and black malts is a longstanding staple in the brewery’s range.
Phil Parkinson added: “This is Joseph Holt’s biggest haul of medals to date and reflects the commitment of our team and the company’s unwavering commitment to brewing quality beers. We recognise there’s no need to tamper with historic favourites, while also continuing to refresh our range with new lines.
“The breadth of our wins demonstrates that range since we aced it in so many categories. But we never rest on our laurels – we’re always striving to produce the very best beers we can for both loyal customers and those discovering our beers for the first time.”
Full list of awards
Gold – Bitter
Gold – Humdinger (bottled ale)
Silver – Diamond (bottled lager)
Silver – Fool’s Gold (cask)
Silver – Sixex (cask)
Bronze – Crystal (keg lager)
Bronze – Sixex (bottled ale)
Bronze – Crystal Gold (keg lager)
Bronze – Mild (cask)
Bronze – Sixex (dark beer)
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