Guinness World Record for beer tasting broken at Publican Awards
Guinness World Records officials confirmed 1,236 guests successfully took part in the tasting, which was led by drinks educator and renowned beer sommelier Jane Peyton.
Three beers were tasted by attendees who managed to beat the previous record of 729 people, which was, until last night, the largest official beer tasting in the world.
The previous record was created by Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fair in Dublin, Ireland, on 5 February.
Peyton told the Publican’s Morning Advertiser (PMA): "It's really appropriate that we broke this record tonight on the 25th anniversary of the Publican Awards."
'World's favourite drink'
She added: "Beer is the world's favourite alcoholic drink and it's one of the most convivial drinks. So drinking it in company doesn't get any better.
Big cheer for beer:
"It's a great victory for us to have secured the world record for the most people doing a beer tasting in one room on the 25th anniversary of our prestigious awards"
- PMA editor Ed Bedington
"Anything to do with the Guinness World Records gets into the national press and hopefully it raises awareness of our industry. Beer is Britain's national drink and we should be celebrating it. So a big cheer for beer."
Guinness World Records adjudicator Jack Brockbank told guests at last night's awards, which was held at Battersea Evolution, London, for the first time: "I would like to say thank you to Jane Peyton.
"The current record that we were attempting to beat was set just last month in Dublin.
"I can confirm that here, tonight, at the Publican Awards, we had 1,236 participants."
The winners and runners up
PMA editor Ed Bedington said: "It's a great victory for us to have secured the world record for the most people doing a beer tasting in one room on the 25th anniversary of our prestigious awards. I would like to thank everyone who helped to make it happen and also, well done to the winners and runners up of all the awards."
Watch out for more coverage from the awards here later.
Meanwhile, Peyton will be speaking on a panel about how to pair beer and cider with food at the PMA's Beer and Cider Summit in London on 22 June.
She said: "Beer and cider are perfect pairings for lots of dishes and it's important that we tell diners about the great options they have."
For more information about the Beer and Cider Summit, contact Nicholas Robinson by email at nicholas.robinson@wrbm.com or by phone on 01293 610 490.
