The British Guild of Beer Writers has announced the writers, journalists, bloggers, and other communicators who have reached the finals of its annual awards.
2021 award winners
Category winners and runners-up, as well as the overall beer writer of the year and brewer of the year, will be announced on 23rd November at the guild’s annual awards dinner in London.
Judges read, viewed, and listened to 190 entries, including books, newspaper and magazine articles, blogs, radio broadcasts, films, and podcasts. Entries were submitted across 16 categories. Winners will share a highest-ever prize fund of £19,500 thanks to award sponsors.
Finalists were selected through a robust judging process by a panel chaired by Pete Brown, current beer writer of the year. He said: “I first chaired these awards a decade ago and this year’s field feels very different. More entries tackling a broader range of topics and using a wider range of media, submitted by a more diverse group of writers and other communicators.
“The quality of entries this year is as high as it’s ever been, which speaks volumes for the standard of communication achieved by guild members. It also means that some great work has sadly not made the cut this year, so as well as congratulating our finalists, we send our commiserations to the talented communicators who’ve missed out this year and hope they enter again.”
The brewer of the year award, sponsored by SIBA, is decided by guild members. Seven brewers were nominated by members, who then voted in an online poll. The winner will be announced at the dinner.
The awards dinner will be held on 23rd November at One Great George Street in Westminster, London. Guests will enjoy dinner with beers matched to each course and beers before and after the meal, provided by the awards sponsors. Guild members, both individual and corporate, and non-guild members are welcome to attend. For more information and tickets visit the guild website.
Alongside Pete Brown, this year’s judging panel includes: Mitch Adams, Beer Sommelier and beer buyer at Euroboozer; Molly Davis, head of communications at the BII; Claire Dodd, travel and drinks writer; Matt Eley, communications consultant and former editor of Inapub magazine; Fergus Fitzgerald, production director at Adnams; Kelly McCarthy CBII, licensee of the Old Sun Inn in Yorkshire; John Mitchinson, co-founder of crowdfunding publishers Unbound; Ned Palmer, cheesemonger and author and Michelle Perrett, industry journalist and communications expert.
The awards shortlist
Brewer of the year
Paul Anspach, Anspach & Hobday
Tomos Dunn, Bluestone Brewing
Ross Hunter, Surrey Hills Brewery
Rob Lovatt, Thornbridge Brewery
Samuel Martyn, Leigh-on-Sea Brewery
Andy Parker, Elusive Brewing
Scott Povey, Fixed Wheel Brewery
Best corporate beer communication
CAMRA
Siren Craft Brew
Utold Agency
Best book about beer or pubs
Melissa Cole
Jonny Garrett
Roger Protz
Em Sauter
Adrian Tierney-Jones
Jaega Wise
Best citizen beer communicator
Oli Haydon
Joey Leskin
Matt Rogers
Best communication about diversity in beer and pubs
Emmie Harrison-West
David Jesudason
Ruvani de Silva
Ariana di Valentino
Best newcomer to beer communication
Melanie Epp
Emmie Harrison-West
Reece Hugill
Ashley Joanna
Best communication about beer and travel
Alastair Gilmour
Will Hawkes
Dan Saladino
Eoghan Walsh
Lily Waite
Tim Webb
Best audio beer communication
Matthew Curtis
Jonny Garrett
Jane Peyton
Eoghan Walsh
Best communication about cider
Gabe Cook
James Crowden
Neutral Cider Hotel
Dan Saladino
Adam Wells
Best video beer communication
Jonny Garrett & Brad Evans
Breandán Kearney
Kimberley Owen
Danny Savage
Best communication about low- and no-alcohol beers
Laura Hadland
Emmie Harrison-West
Jane Peyton
Pete Turner
Best communication about sustainability in beer and pubs
Mark Dredge
Anthony Gladman
Tim O’Rourke
Hollie Stephens
Best beer business communication
Stephen Beaumont
Matthew Curtis
Richard Molloy
Tim Sheahan
Best communication about pubs
Jonny Garrett
Alastair Gilmour
Gary Gillman
Laura Hadland
Rachel Hendry
David Jesudason
Best self-published beer writing
Martyn Cornell
Beth Demmon
Mark Dredge
Gary Gillman
Laura Hadland
Eoghan Walsh
Best beer communicator
Melanie Epp
Alastair Gilmour
Ashley Joanna
Breandán Kearney
Best commissioned beer writing
Jemma Beedie
Mark Dredge
Jeff Evans
Will Hawkes
David Jesudason
Ruvani de Silva
Adrian Tierney-Jones
Laura Hadland (pictured above) is in the running to win best communication about pubs, best communication about no- and low-alcohol beer, and best self-published work.
“I couldn’t feel more proud,” she said. “In particular, having my work about pubs recognised feels really special, because that industry needs all the support it can get in these tough economic times. I have interviewed some amazing people, who are passionate and selfless in serving their local communities.
“I hope that my nomination will help to encourage more people to visit their local pubs and make the most of what they have to offer.”
Laura has already begun featuring some of Shropshire’s fantastic beer and food culture in her writing. Her opinion column for the Campaign for Real Ale’s What’s Brewing magazine featured the All Nations Inn in Madeley in October, and her new free online magazine, The Shropshire GOAT, is dedicated to showcasing the very best culinary delights and entertainments in the county.
