Gem bitter – the first beer produced by Warmley-based Bath Ales when it launched 20 years ago – has lost none of its thirst for awards, earning a silver medal at the International Beer Challenge.
The trophy is the second in consecutive years scooped by Gem – last year it struck gold and won the highly coveted trophy as the ‘Best Ale up to 5% abv’. It is the first time in the two decades since it was first brewed that the beer has landed two titles in two years. 
This year more than 630 beers from 30 countries entered the International Beer Challenge. Each beer was tasted blind by the expert panel of judges made up of UK beer experts including retailers, publicans, writers and flavour analysts. Medals were awarded to the exceptional entries.
Bath Ales first crafted the winning formula for Gem in 1995 when it started out as a very small business.
While the independent brewery’s size and scale of production has changed dramatically, it still uses the same recipe for Gem and applies the same care and attention to brew each pint.
Bath Ales joint founder and managing director Roger Jones said: “Gem was the very first beer made by Bath Ales in 1995 when the hare was originally born. We were determined to create an exceptional ‘best bitter’ with a superb depth of flavour and great balance.
“Despite the influx of new breweries and more beers to compete against, Gem has continued to be highly regarded by competition judges and beer fans alike, which is testament to the quality of that original work.
“In a market that’s changed with the craft beer movement, Gem has remained constant. A consistently high-quality, traditional ale that remains incredibly popular with beer drinkers.”
Chairman of the International Beer Challenge judges Jeff Evans said: “This has been a bumper year for the IBC. Not only have the number of beers entered rocketed, so has the standard of the entries. It is testimony to the quality of beers that are now available around the world: there has never been a better time to be a beer drinker.”
Bath Ales celebrates its 20th anniversary next month and will mark the occasion with a birthday happy hour on September 22 between 5pm and 8pm at selected Bath Ales venues. A pint of Gem will cost the same it would have done 20 years ago – £1.50.
Today the brewery produces just over 20,000 barrels a year and has had its own bottling plant since 2007. Bath Ales now operates 11 pubs, bars and restaurants across the South West including The Wellington in Horfield, as well as the Graze restaurant in Queen Square, craft beer bar Beerd in Kingsdown and the bars and restaurants at Colston Hall.
As well as Gem, its beer range includes Barnsey, Dark Side, Wild Hare, Special Pale Ale and Ginger Hare.
