Best beer in Scotland named by SIBA

Island Hopping, a 3.9% ABV “hoppy session beer”, was awarded the title at SIBA’s Independent Beer Awards at Drygate Brewery in Glasgow last night (10 November).

SIBA chairman Guy Sheppard said: “Scotland has an amazingly vibrant and exciting craft beer scene and, as such, the quality of the entries was exceptionally high this year.”

Butch Lynch, brewer at Swannay, accepted the award.

'Amazing to win'

He said: “It’s amazing to win, especially for such a small brewery as this award gets our name out across the whole of Scotland and beyond.

“We think Island Hopping is a very special beer and are proud that the judges did too.”

SIBA also crowned Mills & Hills of Fyne Ales as the winner of its 'small pack' competition, which judges bottled and canned beers from independent brewers.

Overall Champion Cask Beer of the competition​

Standard Milds & Brown Ales​

Standard Bitters & Pale Ales​

Best Bitters & Pale Ales ​

Premium Bitters & Pale Ales​

Strong Bitters & Pale Ales​

Premium Strong Beers​

Porters, Stouts, Old Ales, Strong Milds & Strong Brown Ales​

Speciality Beers​