David Jesudason has been named beer writer of the year at the British Guild of Beer Writers Awards, staged at Big Penny Social, in London.
Award winners at Big Penny Social, with beer writer of the year, David Jesudason, front right. Photograph: Cath Harries
David — who also won the top title in 2023 — won the gold award in the category for best communication about diversity in beer as well as best self-published beer writing. He also won a silver award for best communication about sustainability in beer and pubs.
“David’s work demonstrates beer writing at its very best,” said Ruvani de Silva, chair of judges and last year’s beer writer of the year. “His stories are compelling and impactful, and his writing engaging and accessible.
“David’s exemplary skills as an investigative journalist and the care he takes in his storytelling set an incredibly high standard of what beer writing can be, and the judging panel were deeply impressed with his exceptional output over the last year covering a broad range of topics and outlets.”
The ceremony started with a lifetime achievement award for the late Martyn Cornell, received by his brother, Dave. This was followed by the brewer of the year, sponsored by SIBA, which presented to Andy Parker, from Elusive Brewing. Elusive was also awarded the new beer of the year award for Oregon Trail.
The full list of winners
Best audio or video beer communication (sponsored by Fuller’s)
Gold: Breandán Kearney
Silver: Matthew Curtis
Highly commended: Marverine Cole
Best beer publisher
Gold: Pellicle
Best book about beer or pubs (sponsored by Heineken)
Gold: Christina Wade for Filthy Queens: A History of Beer in Ireland
Silver: Andy Parker and Jamil Zainasheff for The Modern Homebrewer
Best commissioned beer writing (sponsored by Greene King)
Gold: Lucy Corne
Silver: Katie Mather
Highly commended: Rachel Hendry
Best communication about beer and travel (sponsored by Visit Flanders)
Gold: Joey Leskin
Silver: Fred Garratt-Stanley
Highly commended: Claire Bullen
Best communication about cider (sponsored by the National Association of Cider Makers)
Gold: Laura Hadland
Silver: Gabe Cook
Highly commended: Rachel Hendry and Anaïs Lecoq
Best communication about diversity in beer
Gold: David Jesudason
Silver: Rachel Hendry
Best communication about low- and no-alcohol beer (sponsored by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I)
Gold: Rob Fink
Silver: Martin Dixon
Highly commended: Laura Hadland
Best communication about sustainability in beer and pubs (sponsored by Carlsberg Britvic)
Gold: Breandán Kearney
Silver: David Jesudason
Best new or citizen beer communicator (sponsored by Harvey’s Tom Payne)
Gold: Tori Powell
Best self-published beer writing
Gold: David Jesudason
Silver: Em Sauter
Best short-form beer writing
Gold: Cliff Lucas
Silver: Laura Hadland
Highly commended: Katie Mather
Best technical communication about beer (sponsored by WSET)
Gold: Pete Brown
Silver: David Nilsen
Highly commended: Tim O’Rourke
Brewer of the year (sponsored by SIBA)
Andy Parker
Beer of the year
Elusive Brewing, Oregon Trail
Michael Jackson beer writer of the year
David Jesudason
