Justin Adams

Justin Adams managing director, Greene King Brewing Company (40), Stephen Oliver

managing director, Marston's Beer Co (15), Nigel McNally managing director, Wells & Young's (23)

Why they are on the list:

Marston's, Greene King and

Wells & Young's form a top tier of powerhouse regional brewers in the country, with a geographical supply penetration that, arguably, now affords them national status.

All have nailed their colours firmly to the UK cask-ale renaissance, which has paid major benefits for their leading brands.

What the past year has held:

In a difficult climate for brewers, all three have made a decent fist of things. Marston's is now reaping the rewards of the breweries it has acquired over the past few years, such as Ringwood and Jennings, while Greene King's lead IPA brand is building a formidable profile.

Wells & Young's is pioneering innovation in the cask category with projects such as the eye-catching new Bombardier font.

Challenges ahead:

Keeping the cask-ale momentum rolling along will be one of the key goals. The support these companies have given to cask ale has been largely responsible for the big strides the category has made over the past 12 months.