SIBA unveils best beer winners

The organisation handed out three Supreme Champions awards to the companies after they each won a gold award for cask, bottled beer and keg beer respectively.

Brass Castle Brewery, based in Malton, Yorkshire, was given the award for Burnout; St Austell Brewery for Big Job; and Wild Beer Company, of Evercreech, Somerset, for Madness IPA.

Gold, silver and bronze medal winners for each category were also chosen by a judging panel of industry experts, local licensees, beer writers and drinkers at SIBA’s BeerX event, which took place this week in Sheffield.

There were around 150 finalist beers, which had all earned their place in the finals by winning a medal at one of SIBA’s ten regional beer competitions. 

SIBA chairman Guy Sheppard said: “With close to 800 brewers now members of SIBA, competition for our awards is fierce and all our winners can be very proud of their achievement. We congratulate them on brewing beers that have been judged as the best in the country and wish them every success within the vibrant, innovative British brewing industry.” 

'Come a long way'​

Ian Goodall, business director of Brass Castle Brewery, said: “Brass Castle started just four years ago as a one barrel brewery, so we've come a long way.

“We do a lot of beer swaps with brewers in other areas, distributing their beers in return for them taking some of ours, and I’m now expecting my phone to be ringing off the hook.”

Rob Orton, brewing team leader at St Austell Brewery, said: “Our head brewer Roger Ryman has created an amazing beer in Big Job, and it’s gratifying to have that recognised. It’s building a following and, as we plan to offer Big Job as a cask ale more frequently, this award will definitely increase interest from pubs.”