Beer writers recognised at awards

Ben McFarland has been crowned Beer Writer of the Year at the British Guild of Beer Writers Annual Awards Dinner 2006.

And four Morning Advertiser writers were honoured in the prestigious awards - Pete Brown, Richard Fox (pictured above), who also writes for our sister title Pub Chef, Adrian Tierney-Jones and Nigel Huddleston.

This is the second time that Ben has won the industry equivalent of the Oscars, having won it in 2004.

We not only had a record year for entrants, all of which were of the highest standard, but we also staged the biggest and best celebration of beer in the country.​British Guild of Beer Writers chairman Tim Hampson

Last year's winner and chairman of the judges, Alastair Gilmour, said: "Ben is an exceptional talent and his knowledge and passion for beer really comes across in his journalism. It was a tough decision as this year's entrants were of the highest standard."​

The Beer Writer of the Year Awards seek to find the very best of beer writing and journalism.

Presenting the awards was celebrity chef Brian Turner.

British Guild of Beer Writers chairman Tim Hampson said: "We not only had a record year for entrants, all of which were of the highest standard, but we also staged the biggest and best celebration of beer in the country."​

Over 170 journalists, brewers and pub operators attended the dinner at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington, London on December 7.

Category Winners​Brewer of the Year​ - awarded to Roger Ryman of St Austell Brewery, Cornwall.The Judges Award for Excellence​ - awarded to freelance journalist John Westlake.The Budvar Travel Bursary​ - awarded to freelancer and TV broadcaster Pete Brown.The Bishop's Finger Award for Beer and Food Writing​- awarded to Richard Fox from Harrogate, broadcaster and author of The Food & Beer Cook Book.The Whitstable Bay Organic Brewed Sustainability Writing Award​ - awarded to Dominic Roskrow, launch editor of Beers of the World Magazine.The Wells & Young's Trade & Technical Journalism Award​ - awarded to Adam Withrington. Runner up was freelance journalist Nigel Huddleston.The Cains Finest Lager Award for Regional Journalism​ - awarded to Liverpool Daily Post's Mike Chapple. The runner-up was the Yorkshire Post's Simon Jenkins.The Award for National Journalism​ - awarded to Ben McFarland and runner up was freelance journalist and author Adrian Tierney-Jones.