GK IPA

Are we unfair to Greene King IPA? I imagine that few of you who read this website would have a kind word to say about it, but it's been named Champion Beer Bitter of Britain. That decision - at the 2004 Great British Beer Festival - might be the most controversial incident in CAMRA's history. A lot of people cried foul, saying that the result was less than legit.

Greene King is Britain's biggest producer of cask ale. The neo-national brewer has an unfortunate habit of buying up and closing down regionals, assimilating their brands into its own portfolio and producing them at the mothership in Bury St Edmunds. Hardy's & Hanson's, Morrells and Ridley's don't exist as breweries anymore, but you'll see them as fake guest beers in GK tied houses.

Someone I know is taking on the lease of a pub tied to Greene King in a few weeks. It's a great opportunity, and doubtless I'll visit fairly often. This led me to think about the brewery's beers. I can only name one I've enjoyed - a summer seasonal - but I'm now wondering whether or not I'm simply prejudiced against them, my mind poisoned by the bad feeling surrounding GK's acquisitive antics. Perhaps I need to try them again with an open mind.