Old Tom from Robinson's in Stockport was today named as the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2005 by a panel of judges at CAMRA's national winter celebration of beer.

The barley wine has an ABV of 8.5% and is described in the 2005 edition of the Good Beer Guide as a 'A full-bodied, dark beer, it has malt, fruit and chocolate in the aroma. A delightfully complex range  of flavours including dark chocolate, full maltiness, port and fruits  lead to a long, bitter-sweet aftertaste'.

At the announcement, Steve Prescott, Organiser of the National Winter  Ales Festival congratulated Robinson's on their victory. He said, "Old  Tom is no stranger to awards. It's a fabulously rich beer and thoroughly  deserves the top prize."

On hearing the news Oliver Robinson, Commercial Director at Robinson's  Brewery, said, "I'm absolutely thrilled. We won the award back in 2000  and it's wonderful to achieve that once again. Old Tom is our flagship  beer, we've been brewing it since 1899 and it's still very popular.  It's great to get this recognition and I hope the award will help Old Tom to reach  its true potential as a classic British beer and a great brand. My  thanks go to  our excellent brewing team and to all the staff at the brewery".

The silver prize went to Somerset based Bath Brewery for their superb  Festivity, and the Bronze award went to Woodforde's brewery from  Norfolk for their fantastic Headcracker.