A new to market bottled version of Castle Rock’s Screech Owl, originally brewed as our draught real ale to support Nottinghamshire wildlife, is a finalist in Sainsbury’s great British beer hunt this October.

In five regional heats this summer, panels of customers and sales staff judged over 100 beers from across the UK. Now, the choicest 20 will go head to head on supermarket shelves for three weeks in September. Ten, based on the number sold, will go forward to October’s grand final where judges will choose the top two to be awarded permanent listings at Sainsbury’s.

Colin Wilde is looking forward to the sales battle. “We’re extremely confident that shoppers will reach for a Screech even though only some will have tasted the ale as an award winning draught. Our task was to create something to match the tastes of the discerning drinker who wants something new and individual. I think our brewers and bottle artwork designers have met these challenges with aplomb.

“It’s pleasing too that we’ve been chosen by a group who know exactly what the shopper wants, and that we’ll be on the supermarket shelves side by side some fabulous regional ales,” he says.

As part of the Screech Owl launch, Castle Rock is inviting you to buy the beer, and create YouTube video record of your first impression of its taste and texture. Already, Nottingham Castle’s official Robin Hood is on line with his impressions and more are being added daily.

For more information, click here