Buster Grant, owner and head brewer of Brecon Brewing, in Wales, has been appointed the new chairman of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). Buster will take the chair for the first time at SIBA’s AGM on 16th March at their annual BeerX event.
The appointment comes as current chairman, Guy Sheppard, of Exe Valley Brewery, prepares to step down at the end of his successful maximum term of three years as the head of the brewers’ trade association.
Buster (pictured) said: “I’m delighted and honoured to have been chosen by my fellow brewers to represent them and their trade association. The reputed curse of ‘may you live in interesting times’ has never seemed truer, with a number of threats and opportunities facing our industry.
“However, I see mostly opportunities, and I’m delighted to be working with SIBA’s managing director, Mike Benner, and the team towards a goal of a more professional industry, with a real focus on quality products, sustainable business and fair access to market for all of our members, whatever their size.”
Buster is a brewer with more than 16 years’ experience in the industry. He has been heavily involved in SIBA since his first election to the SIBA board in 2008 and then again in 2012, and joined SIBA’s executive board in 2016 before his election as Chairman this week.
Mr Grant will work closely with Mike Benner, and Justin Hawke of Moor Beer Co, who has also been elected as SIBA’s new vice-chairman. American born Justin trained as a brewer in San Fransisco before taking over the then defunct Moor Beer Co in 2007, transforming it into the modern US-inspired brewery it is today.
He said: “In the past, SIBA has been accused of being too conservative. Nominating me as vice-chairman to work alongside my friend and industry veteran Buster Grant, of Brecon Brewing, demonstrates that SIBA is taking bolder steps to drive the industry in a positive direction. We are beefing up the role of vice-chairman to be much more involved and public-facing.
“Whether a brewer regards themselves as traditional or craft, nano or macro, we all have things to learn from each other and contribute to the future success of a united industry. When we do this there is an enormous opportunity at home and especially around the world.”
Mike Benner said: “I am very pleased to welcome Buster as SIBA’s new chairman and Justin as vice-chairman. I look forward to working closely with them in what I expect to be a challenging but exciting future ahead for the independent craft brewing industry.
“Buster brings with him a wealth of experience and has, for many years, been a strong voice on behalf of SIBA’s brewing members, both on the SIBA board and from last year our executive board, and now as our incoming chairman.
“Together we will present SIBA’s 2020 Vision at the AGM in Sheffield next month, setting out how we will help members thrive in a challenging marketplace with a positive and hard-hitting response. A sustainable market must be based on excellence, sustainability and growth — the key themes of BeerX this year.”
With a masters in brewing and distilling from the Heriot Watt University, in Edinburgh, and past experience working for WH Brakspear before setting up Brecon Brewing, Buster brings with him a wealth of practical brewing experience to the role, something which is hugely important for a chairman at SIBA.
Mike added: “SIBA as a trade body represents the interest of more than 840 independent craft brewers who brew approximately 80% of all the beer brewed by our market. SIBA is a democratic organisation and it is vital that our members participate within the organisation at all levels, from regional meetings and through our valuable regio
“Only by working together can all sides of the independent brewing industry push forward for an even better future for British beer, giving consumers access to the amazing range and quality of independent craft beers being brewed by our members.”
