Signature Brew has been named brewery business of the year at the 2021 SIBA Business Awards, presented last night.
Tom Bott and Sam McGregor, of Signature Brew. Photograph: Signature Brew
It’s the second time Signature Brew has won the award, the music-themed business having picked up the title in 2017, too. Charles Faram was named SIBA supplier associate of the year.
Tom Bott, of Signature Brew, said: “We’re incredibly humbled and thrilled to have won SIBA’s brewery business of the year award for a second time. The last 12 months have been exceptionally turbulent and difficult for everyone in the industry, and we couldn’t be prouder to work in a sector as resilient and innovative as the craft beer community.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to our amazing team and our drinkers for their continued support. We can’t wait to see everyone for a pint very soon.”
The SIBA Business Awards are judged by a panel of independent beer industry experts, managed by not-for-profit trade association the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA). The awards cover everything from brewery marketing, design and innovation, to efforts to make businesses more eco friendly or impactful.
This year two additional categories were added to highlight the amazing work done by breweries and suppliers businesses in the face of incredible pressure from covid. The craft beer retailing, restaurant and bar categories highlight the fantastic work being done to promote British independent craft beer, and include businesses from across the UK.
Chair of judges, Neil Walker, said: “This has been an incredibly difficult 12 months for our industry but these awards show the resilience of the British brewing industry and the amazing work that is being done by businesses across the UK.
“This was a very tough year to judge and, in fact, we have awarded more highly commended awards in 2021 than ever before, as it was so difficult to separate an incredibly impressive pack of finalists.
“Huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners, but in particular our brewery business of the year Signature Brew — who gave jobs to out-of-work musicians when venues were forced to close, and tackled loneliness and isolation with their lo-fi beer campaign — and of course our supplier associate of the year, Charles Faram, a company who have won the award many times over the years thanks to a passionate commitment to supporting independent brewing across the UK. This year they showed how much brewers and this industry mean to them with their support through a critical period for struggling businesses.”
Award winners
Covid brewery initative award: Cloudwater Brew Co
Highly commended: Signature Brew
Covid supplier initative award: Charles Faram
Highly commended: Crisp Malt, Saxon Packaging
Marketing implementation: Signature Brew
Highly commended: North Brewing Co
Green business: Hobsons Brewing Co
Best individual design: North Brewing Co — Springwell Pils
Best concept design: Anspach & Hobday — Oktoberfest range
Business innovation: Northern Monk
Commercial achievement: Big Drop Brewing Co
Best independent craft beer retailer (multiple): Real Ale
Best independent craft beer retailer (single): A Hoppy Place, Windsor
Best independent craft beer restaurant: Hood, Streatham
Best independent craft brewery taproom: 40FT, Dalston
Best independent craft beer bar or pub (city): Dead Crafty Beer Co, Liverpool
Best independent craft beer bar or pub (rural): The Royal Barn, Kirkby Lonsdale
Supplier associate of the year: Charles Faram
Brewery business of the year: Signature Brew
