Brandon Lewis and Punch Taverns among winners at BBPA annual awards

Punch Taverns won the Beer Champion gong on the day they finally completed their restructure. The company was described as showing "dedication to bringing a huge range of Great British beers to their estate of over 4,000 pubs". Close Brewery Rentals and Timothy Taylor were both highly commended.

The Chairman’s Award went to former pubs minister Brandon Lewis, who was described as having “really made a difference for Britain’s pubs. BBPA chair Jonathan Neame said Lewis, who did not attend the event, had worked hard for a better deal on business rates and put “pubs at the heart of the agenda when it comes to renewal of our high streets and their contribution to the tourism sector”.

Star Pubs & Bars was named Pub Champion of the year for “helping their licensees to reach their true potential and turning around under-performing pubs”. Admiral Taverns and the Liberation Group were also nominated.

Community​

The Heart of the Community award went to St Austell Brewery for a sharp reduction in their carbon footprint and raising more than £400,000 for charity since 2003.

Brakspear were highly commended while Carlsberg UK, Enterprise Inns and Sharps Brewery were also nominated.

BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said last night's event, presented by Sandi Toksvig at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, was a celebration of a vibrant industry.

She said: “This year we have had some inspiring entries, and I want to thank them all for the exceptional work they have done throughout the year. The positive impact of two successive beer duty reductions has been extraordinary for this Great British industry and I am delighted that Brandon Lewis’ dedication and hard work has been rightly recognised with the chairman’s award.”