Left to right, awards presenter, Nigel Barden, Sam McGregor and Tom Bott of Signature Brew, and SIBA chairman, Buster Grant

 

East London’s Signature Brew  has been named brewery business of the year at the SIBA Business Awards.

Signature Brew, who’s tagline is Brewing with Music, specialising in collaboration beers with musical artists, impressed judges across a range of awards categories, winning the marketing implementation category on its way to the major award.

The brewery stood out for its “fresh ideas, keen business acumen and genuinely unique approach to running a brewing business”. Signature Brew was the majority favourite, with judges commenting on its innovation, uniqueness and business growth as key indicators of an already flourishing brewery on its way to greatness. The competition is judged by an expert panel.

Tom Bott, of Signature Brew, said: “This is just huge recognition that our idea for what we wanted the brewery to be was a good one! For people to recognise our vision to get quality craft beer into independent music venues and spread our message is amazing, and we’re thrilled it struck a chord with judges.”

The awards were presented last night at BeerX UK 2018, at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, by Radio 2 broadcaster and resident foodie Nigel Barden, who will also host the SIBA Independent Beer Awards tonight.

The other winners on the night were: St Albans’ Farr Brew in the green business category, for its commitment to using local ingredients and reducing their environmental impact, North Brewing Co in the business innovation category for its bold export operation, which utilised collaboration beers to great effect; and Fourpure in the commercial achievement category, for its impressive growth and vision over the last 12 months.

In the coveted design award categories, it was Loch Lomond Brewery which took home the individual design award for its unique Dr Peppercorn can, which used drone images of the area to great effect, and Leigh on Sea Brewery, named the winner in the concept design category for its timeless, perfectly judged designs that evoked the story of the brand perfectly.

SIBA chief executive, Mike Benner, said: “The quality and quantity of entries this year was simply staggering, and to be named a winner in the awards represents a huge achievement for these breweries — they really are the best of the best in terms of passion, innovation and excellence in the independent craft brewing industry.

Innovation and vision

“I would particularly like to congratulate Signature Brew on being voted brewery business of the year. They have clearly proved themselves to the judges and are destined for even bigger and better things in the future, I’m sure.”

The SIBA Business Awards received a 60% increase in entries this year, which SIBA say is testament to the innovation and vision on show in the independent craft brewing industry right now.

The brewers themselves also get to vote for the supplier business they think has contributed the most to the independent craft brewing industry over the last year. This year it was design agency LemonTop Creative that was voted supplier associate of the year for its excellent level of service and quality of work.

Waitrose was named best independent craft beer retailer (multiple) by competition judges for its work in supporting and promoting local, independent craft beer. Highly commended in the category was Pivovar Ltd for its unique and innovative business which includes ‘Tap’ bars around the UK, such as the Sheffield Tap, York Tap and Euston Tap.

Hop Burns & Black took top spot in the In the hotly contested independent craft beer retailer (single) category, with judges commenting that its commitment to spreading the word about quality, independent craft beer set it apart from the pack.

Caebhar restaurant, run by Bun Dubh Brewery on the small Scottish isle of Tiree, was named best independent craft beer restaurant, with judges bowled over by the beauty of the location and the quality, locally-sourced menu.

Duncan Castling, of Caebahr and Bun Dubh Brewery, said: “It’s amazing to win. We are so enthusiastic about food and have tried to do something different with Caebahr. We’re an environmental restaurant — no packaging, no waste, only locally-sourced food and beer that is brewed on site. It’s all about being true to the area and championing this amazing community.”

JD Wetherspoon took best independent craft beer promotion (on-trade) for its work on real ale and craft beer across its pub estate.

Best independent craft beer bar (city) was awarded to Wigan Central, in Lancashire, for its laser focus on quality, local draught brews, as well as extensive international bottled ‘beer library’. The best independent craft beer bar (rural) is The Cove Café Bar, in Devon, which shows that quality craft beer and a modern yet approachable aesthetic can be delivered to great affect in rural as well as city locations.

 


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