Judges evaluate all aspects of the business, with the winner showcasing strong synergy, financial success, passion, innovation, and effective beer sales and marketing strategies despite market challenges.
This year’s finalists are:
SALT Brewing Company
Established in 2018, SALT Brewing Company is based in Saltaire, West Yorkshire, and is the sister company to cask brewer Ossett.
The independent craft brewery was founded by Jamie Lawson and is overseen by managing director Edd Simpson.
Its name pays homage to Sir Titus Salt, the industrialist who founded the UNESCO World Heritage village and built its textile mill. Its beers are also named after textiles.
SALT’s core range includes its flagship session IPA, Jute (4.2% ABV), Loom Pale (4% ABV), Serge Citra IPA (4.5% ABV), Huckaback NEIPA (5.5% ABV) and IKAT DDH DIPA (8% ABV).
The business operates 11 venues in Yorkshire and two in London, all of which host a different street food vendor.
On its website, SALT describes itself as “creating great craft beer for everyone”.
Tiny Rebel
Newport-based Tiny Rebel was founded in 2012 by Brad Cummings and Gareth Williams.
The independent craft brewer has two sites, its main taproom and brewery in Newport and a bar in Cardiff.
Its core range of brews include Clwb Tropica IPA (5% ABV), which also has a non-alcoholic version, and Cwtch, a 4.6% Welsh Red Ale, alongside Cali Pale Ale (4.6%) and a range of special beers.
Last month, Tiny Rebel expanded its core range with the launch of Rebel IPA (4.3%) and released a new stout in collaboration with Fuller’s, Coal Drop (4.1%).
The brand is also passionate about sustainability and describes itself on its website as “on a mission to bring great times and great beer”.
St Austell Brewery
St Austell Brewery is a historic brewery based in Cornwall. It was founded in 1851 by Walter Hicks and is still family-owned.
The company is currently managed by CEO Kevin Georgel, with brewing director Georgina Young heading up the brewery side of the business.
It operates a portfolio of pubs, inns, and hotels across Cornwall, Devon, and beyond, with an estate of more than 180 sites, and acquired Bath Ales in 2016.
St Austell Brewery’s core range includes Tribute Pale Ale (4.2%), Proper Job (4.5%), Korev Lager (4.8%) and Hicks Cornish Ale (5%).
The brewery also brews Mena Dhu Stout (4.5%), Anthem British Pale Ale (3.8%) and Cornish Best (3.4%) and recently expanded its portfolio to include Proper Job 0.5%.
Black Country Ales
Black Country Ales is an independent traditional pub company and cask brewer based in the West Midlands.
Founded by Angus McMeeking in 1999, managing director Graham Manwaring is currently at the helm of the business.
The company operates 53 pubs, most of which are managed sites, and its main brewhouse is at The Old Bulls Head pub in Dudley.
Its core range includes BFG Golden Ale (4.2%), Pig on the Wall (4.3%), Fireside Bitter (5%) Citra Sublime Pale Ale (4.5%), Plum Pig (4.3%) and Chain Ale (4.2%).
Black Country Ales states on its website: “Our goal is to uphold the values of the traditional real ale pub: A comfortable friendly atmosphere, log fires, and most importantly of all, a wide range of top-quality ales.”
