Pellicle, the reader-supported, independent drinks magazine, is celebrating after six of its contributors picked up British Guild of Beer Writers Awards.
Art from Pellicle magazine by Dionne Kitching
In the build-up to the competition, nine of the online magazine’s contributors had been nominated for 11 pieces of work across six categories.
One of these was Lily Waite – a previous beer writer of the year winner – who won gold in the best commissioned beer writing category for a moving piece on her experience of pubs as a sanctuary as a trans woman. It was the only piece Lily entered in this year’s competition, so to pick up the prize was hugely significant to both her as a writer, and to the magazine as a whole.
“I’m so thrilled to have won this year,” said Lily. “I entered the only piece I found time to write, so to win the category best commissioned beer writing is a huge honour. To win for a piece that meant a great deal, in a hotly-contested category of many extremely talented writers, is extra special.”
This year’s grand prize was claimed by David Jesudason, a prolific Pellicle contributor, who, in addition to picking up gold for his landmark book Desi Pubs, also won the top prize in the best writing about pubs category.
One of the pieces he entered in this category was a long-form piece of reportage that analysed the connection between the desi pubs of West Bromwich and Smethwick, and their connection to both the local football team and its surrounding community. The article was accompanied by images shot by local photographer Jack Spicer Adams.
David said: “Pellicle gave me the opportunity to write my first ever beer article, so it feels like we’ve been on this entire journey together, hand in hand. The win is huge for the desi community and, finally, our stories are getting the recognition they deserve. Without the award, and logically without Pellicle, we wouldn’t have had this platform.”
The Pellicle winners in full
Emmie Harrison-West
Gold awards for best writing about diversity and best newcomer
• Sound the alarm — Why aren’t British breweries listening to the sound of Brave Noise?
• Hear for a good time — The sound of hearing loss when it comes to ordering a pint
David Jesudason
Gold award for best writing about pubs
• Please don’t take me home — How Black Country desi pub culture made football more diverse
Lily Waite
Gold award for best commissioned beer writing
• God bless your transsexual heart — The pub as an unlikely sanctuary
Adam Wells
Gold award for best writing about cider
• Some stones from underneath — Eve’s Cidery, in Van Etten, New York
Mark Dredge
Silver award for best writing about sustainability
• Soil to the sun — Long Man Brewery’s regenerative agriculture in Litlington, East Sussex
• Such great heights — Ascension Cider in Etchingham, East Sussex
Rachel Hendry
Silver award for best writing about pubs
• Cut to the feeling — The anatomy of Smith’s Scampi Fries
