Scottish brewer tops SIBA awards

A Scottish brewery established just two years ago has won the overall championship in the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) 2007 Local Brewing Business Awards.

Traditional Scottish Ales (TSA), based in Stirling, earned the award for its support for the restoration of the Lade Inn - for which it also scooped the On Trade support award.

TSA assisted with cellar installations, staff training and in developing a range of beers exclusive to the pub.

Judges, including MA editor Andrew Pring, were further impressed by its support for the establishment of Scotland's only real ale shop at the Lade Inn.

SIBA chairman Peter Amor said: "The innovation shown by these dynamic brewers — in the diversity and quality of their beers, in sales and marketing initiatives, and in the way their businesses are run — is contributing greatly to the independent brewing sector, and in particular the increasingly healthy cask beer market, at a time when many established brewing companies are neglecting or even abandoning a style of drink that has quenched British thirsts for centuries.​

"People entering brewing for the first time have a wonderful opportunity now to study the methods of this year's winners, to follow their lead and make their own businesses successful."

The runner-up in the overall awards was Nottingham's Castle Rock Brewery, which won the category for best public relations initiative for its support of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

Category winners​

Best support for an off-trade customer:​ Derby Brewing Co

Best support for an on-trade customer:​ Traditional Scottish Ales

Best public relations initiative:​ Kelham Island Brewery

Best use of electronic media:​ Everards Brewery

Best new launch:​ Wold Top Brewery

Best innovation:​ Acorn Brewery

Best promotion initiative:​ Thornbridge Hall Country House Brewing Co

Best packaging initiative:​ Moorhouse's Brewery

Best point of sale:​ Purity Brewing Co

Best sponsorship:​ Castle Rock Brewery