Earlier this month Young was named Brewer of the Year by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG) at its annual dinner.
While the title came as a complete surprise, awards like this, she told The Morning Advertiser (The MA), are important for the industry and to recognise the hard work that goes into the “dark art” of brewing.
“It was a complete surprise [to win this award] as Kevin Georgel had asked me to attend the event ‘in his place’.
“I hadn’t really thought or known that it was an awards dinner and was just going along to chat to a few MPs about the state of the industry and hopefully catch up with a few brewing pals and maltsters.
“[But] it is a huge honour to have received this award, as so many others have before me. Brewing plays a less significant role now within brewing companies so it’s really wonderful the hard work and ‘dark art’ of the brewing and production team is recognised”, she continued.
Multiple awards
Young has led the production teams at St Austell for the past five years, leaving her role as head brewer at Fuller’s to return to the West Country, where she grew up.
Appointed as brewing director in 2020, the first woman to ever hold the role at St Austell, the brewing stalwart now oversees production at both of the firm’s brewing sites, in St Austell and Hare Brewery in Bath, and has seen international recognition for the quality of her work.
Last year, the brewing director successfully spearheaded the launch of St Austell’s first no and low beer, Proper Job 0.5%, which has since won multiple awards.
Earlier this year, the beer expert was also voted the Brewers’ Brewer of the Year at the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) Business Awards.
Meanwhile, in 2023, Young received two further accolades: Brewer of the Year at the Guild of Beer Writers Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Brewer’s Congress.
She is also a trustee of the Chartered Institute of Brewing & Distilling, a member of the Worshipful Company of Brewers and serves on the Sustainability Steering Committee at St Austell.
Influential brewers
Young added: “It is a real privilege to be a brewer at St Austell Brewery and to be able to collaborate with such talented individuals across the industry.
“Together, we are committed to celebrating great British beer, inspiring the next generation of brewers, and advancing sustainable practices in an ever-evolving world.”
Speaking with The MA in May this year as part of the Big Interview series, Young shared her passion for the industry, how it has changed since she started out and the lessons learned along the way. Read the full interview here.
The Brewer of the Year award is nominated by an expert panel comprising representatives from the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), Frederic Robinson, Titanic Brewery, and the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA).
It recognises not only brewing expertise but also the individual’s wider contribution to beer, brewing, people, and the community.
Honorary secretary of the APPBG Rita King said: “Georgina was a standout candidate and a truly deserving winner of this year’s award.
“Her dedication to brewing, her innovative spirit, and her passion for educating and welcoming others into the industry are highly respected across the beer community. When we speak to people about influential brewers, Georgina’s name is often mentioned as an inspiring figure whom many admire.”
