NEWPORT’S Tiny Rebel brewery team have been crowned the Best Beer in Britain at the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF).

The brewers lifted the Champion Beer of Britain trophy for their Cwtch Welsh Red Ale during the beer festival in London today.

Bradley Cummings, the director and co-founder of Tiny Rebel, said it was a ‘massive surprise’ to be awarded the coveted title.

“It’s absolutely fantastic and is an amazing achievement for the brewery and everyone that works there,” he said

“We were a bit shell-shocked when they said we won.

“We came here to represent Tiny Rebel but we have walked away with Champion Beer of Britain.”

He added about the beer: “We were brought up on real ale and we love traditional styles.

"Cwtch is our modern version of a traditional bitter, with extra hopping for a more pronounced bitterness and aroma. It’s new world and old world all in one.”

Cwtch Welsh Red Ale progressed through local taste panels and regional beer judging before final judging at the GBBF, organised by the Campaign for Real Ale and held at London Olympia.

Most of the winners, including Tiny Rebel, are members of the Society of Brewers, the organisation representing more than 820 British craft brewers.

Its managing director Mike Benner said: "We're delighted to see Tiny Rebel take the Champion Beer of Britain title. Winning this top award helps brewers to raise their profile and gain new listings in pubs and supermarkets, so more beer drinkers will now be able to enjoy their wonderful Cwtch."

He added: "SIBA brewers have dominated the list of winners at this GBBF, as they do every year, thanks to their commitment to producing quality, great-tasting beers that represent the very best of British craft brewing today."

The man who brewed Cwtch, head brewer and fellow co-founder Gareth Williams, said what it meant to win:

"I feel like I'm dreaming! This is the ultimate award to win in our eyes and after winning at the Great Welsh a few years ago this feels even better. It's just a crazy feeling and we're massively proud."

Tiny Rebel won the Best Bitter category on its way to taking the Champion Beer of Britain title and is described as an "untraditional Welsh Red Ale with citrus and tropical fruit flavours backed up by caramel malts that balance the moderate bitterness."