Keith Bott receives lifetime achievement award

The managing director of Titanic Brewery, who stepped down from his SIBA role in March, was given the honour by the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG).

APPBG chairman Andrew Griffiths said: “Keith’s impact on the British brewing industry is immeasurable and it is no exaggeration to say that, without his involvement over the last three decades, the sector would look very different.  He has been a towering presence in the modern, forward-looking brewing industry that his vision, and his tireless campaigning, have helped to shape. 

“For his unique contribution to British brewing, Keith is a very worthy recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Bott started his brewing career as an assistant brewer at a microbrewery in his home town of Stoke-on-Trent, which he then bought, with his brother David, three years later. He became a SIBA trustee in 1996 and was elected chairman in 2003.

SIBA managing director Mike Benner said, “Everyone within SIBA, and the wider British brewing industry, will applaud this well-deserved recognition for Keith. He has been a driving force behind many of the great victories for beer, through a combination of strategic vision, political astuteness and, underpinning everything he did, a deeply-held passion for our national drink.” 

Bott was replaced as chairman by Guy Sheppard, a long-standing SIBA trustee and founder of Exe Valley Brewery. He remains a member of the board.