The Scottish Beer Awards judging panel
The first annual competition to celebrate Scotland’s booming beer business has secured a headline sponsorship deal with one of the UK’s fastest-growing supermarket chains.
The Scottish Beer Awards will be sponsored by Aldi in Scotland in a two-year deal to support and promote the competition alongside the supermarket’s own in-store Scottish beer festivals.
The deal is the first major corporate sponsorship for the awards programme which launched six months ago and which has received entries from 31 breweries with 154 beers.
Work is now under way to prepare a celebration industry awards dinner for 300 people which will announce the winners in 15 categories.
Michael Whiteford, buying director at Aldi in Scotland, said: “Sponsoring the Scottish Beer Awards is an opportunity to promote the fantastic range of Scottish beers available to our growing customer base. With three annual Scottish beer festivals running in store, our commitment to Scottish brewing has never been higher and the quality of beers being produced in Scotland is outstanding.
“We look forward to working with the Scottish Beer Awards contenders to support their achievements as finalists and winners, alongside our growing range of Scottish beers available throughout our 67 Scottish stores.”
Kirsten Speirs, director of KDMedia, which operates the awards, added: “Securing the support of Aldi is a game changer for the Scottish Beer Awards and our work to promote the best of Scottish brewing. Aldi will join a team of people including an expert judging panel and many other loyal sponsors committed to helping hard-working Scottish brewers gain the recognition and reward they deserve.”
The Scottish Beer Awards takes place on Thursday, September 29, at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange.
