SIBA competition committee chairman, Guy Sheppard (centre) with Loch Lomond Brewery’s George Wotherspoon and Fiona MacEachern
Loch Lomond Brewery has swept the board at the SIBA Scotland Independent Beer Awards, taking home overall gold in both the cask and small pack (bottle and can) competitions — the first time this as happened in the competition’s history.
The awards, run by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) prior to the C>SK : 17 beer festival, held at the Drygate Brewery and Taproom in Glasgow, are judged by brewers and beer experts.
Loch Lomond Brewery’s Outlander took gold in the cask competition and its Silkie Stout was named overall small pack winner, but the prizes didn’t stop there, with Loch Lomond winning a total of ten awards across the competition, including seven golds.
SIBA competitions committee chair, Guy Sheppard, who presented the awards, said: “Scottish beer continues to go from strength to strength and these awards really were a representation of the very best independent craft beers the country has to offer. The standard was especially high.
“Massive congratulations to all of the winners and particularly Loch Lomond Brewery, who should be very proud of being named the best of the best at these prestigious awards. It’s the first time ever a Scottish brewer has taken home overall gold in both categories.
“All the winning beers will now be served at the C>SK beer festival … giving beer lovers the first chance to try the best beers in Scotland.”
Proud
Fiona MacEachern, of Loch Lomond Brewery, said: “This means the absolute world to us. This rewards everything we do and we couldn’t be more proud to win not only with one of long-running beers, Silkie Stout, but also a brand new one, too, with Outlander.”
Outlander is a 6.5% ABV Scotch ale, described by the brewer as having deeply rich and slightly sweet malt flavours, whereas Silkie Stout is a 5% traditional stout, with a fullbodied mouthfeel and smooth, balanced finish.
C>SK : 17 features more than 100 independent craft beers, as well as DJs and live music across two sessions. The festival comprises three sessions: 5pm until midnight, Friday September 8; noon until midnight, Saturday, September 9; and noon until 5pm, Sunday, September 10. Tickets are available for £6 on the door, or £5 in advance via the Drygate website
