A SKINNER’S brew named Porthleven is the only golden ale from the South West shortlisted for a major national award.

Porthleven, a golden ale brewed in Truro, was one of 12 golden ales from around the UK shortlisted for the Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) top annual award, Champion Golden Ale, and was the only one selected from Cornwall and the South West.

Over 900 real ales, ciders, perries and international beers are annually tasted to discover the best pint at the Great British Beer Festival by CAMRA. Tasting took place at the UK’s largest beer festival in London. While Porthleven missed scooping the overall UK top slot this year, head taster and chief executive Steve Skinner of Skinner’s Brewery is delighted with the shortlisting.

“To brew the best golden ale in the South West is an amazing result from all of us at Skinner’s, from our brewers to the rest of the team," he said. "What an incredible privilege to have a team that creates such a special ale.

"Porthleven has always been a trail-blazing ale as it was the first beer in Cornwall to use American citra hops which gives the beer its fantastic zingy character. Today nearly every brewery uses citra but it’s our Porthleven ale that has won this fantastic accolade. Skinner’s is always original and it’s superb to be crowned for leading the way in the South West.”

Porthleven golden ale was awarded the title of Champion Golden Ale of the South West by the CAMRA in 2014. It was developed in 2011 and is named after a Cornish surf break that is one of the best surf breaks in Europe.