The British Guild of Beer Writers have announced the judges for their 2026 awards. The panel brings together expertise from across the food and drink industry.
Chaired by last year’s Beer Writer of the Year, David Jesudason, the panel has been selected to represent a broad range of experience and expertise.
“Judging the awards is not only an honour but a validation of how my work has changed the narrative and led me to earn such a prestigious role for the second time in three years,” said Jesudason.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to work again with so many high-profile judges, and quite humbling to be in a position where they will look to me for guidance. Even though each year gets tougher for creatives, with publications closing, fees shrinking, and AI looming large, somehow the quality of beer writing gets better and better, making being shortlisted for an award in 2026 a prestigious accomplishment.”
The panel also features:
- Andy Parker, former brewer of the year and Elusive Brewing founder;
- Steve Dass, alcohol-free brewing consultant and founder of Curry Smugglers;
- Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association’s American craft beer ambassador for Europe;
- Susan Low, freelance Ffood, drink and travel writer and editor;
- Rod White, master brewer and brewing academic at Nottingham University;
- Aimee Harbison-Roper, owner of The Barrel Drop; and
- Katrina Mirpuri, journalist and social media specialist.
The shortlist for the awards will be announced weeks before the Guild’s annual dinner, where the winners will be unveiled. That will take place on 25th November at Big Penny Social, in London.
Entries are now open via the guild’s website and will close in August. While entering the awards is free for guild members, the competition is open to all. For those looking to connect further, joining the British Guild of Beer Writers offers instant access to free award entries, exclusive networking opportunities, and skill-building training courses throughout the year.
