BII chief Peter Thomas claims Brewdog-Diageo debacle "unfortunate" and "regrettable"
Speaking on Radio 4 programme You and Yours earlier today he responded to news that the global drinks firm Diageo had stripped Scottish brewer and pub operator BrewDog of Bar Operator of the Year 2012 at the BII Scotland annual awards.
At the awards ceremony on 6 May, sponsor of the category Diageo forced the BII to change the decision made by judges at the last minute. The award was given to another company which refused to accept it as it had ‘BrewDog’ engraved on the trophy as the winner.
The news was picked up by the press and was reported on social networks including Twitter.
Diageo issued an apology earlier this week claiming it was a "serious misjudgement".
Thomas said the incident was "isolated" but added: “We will go back and talk to Diageo and other sponsors as we need to clarify the rules.”
James Watt, co-founder at BrewDog, claimed Diageo’s actions were “shameless, misguided and embarrassing”.
