McClure, who has been part of the Sharp’s team for more than a decade and manages a team of 32 brewers, was recognised for spearheading the brand’s operation at its brewery in Rock, Cornwall.
The site produces more than 1m pints every week and has developed a brewing method for Doom Bar Zero, the UK’s first non-alcoholic amber ale.
Shining example
Brewers Journal editor Tim Sheahan said: “Producing in excess of 1m pints each week, including a host of experimental pilot project beers, is no small feat.
“Aaron is a shining example of the wealth of fantastic, driven young brewers we have in the UK and is fully deserving of the title of Young Brewer of The Year.”
Sharp's Brewery has grown rapidly since its foundation in 1994 and is the largest brewer of cask beer in the south-west of England, with its Doom Bar retaining the title as best-selling cask ale in the UK in this year’s The Drinks List – top brands to stock in 2022.
The brewer has a tally of more than 100 international brewing awards that, in 2021, included Sea Fury winning the highest accolade of ‘World’s Best Pale Bitter’ in the World Beer Awards as well as Country Winner in the pale ale category.
Testament to the skill and effort of the team
McClure said: “This award is testament to the skill and effort of our team at Rock.
“We are all committed to the highest standards in everything we do and being pioneers in the industry, while I’m proud that my role in this has been recognised, it’s the whole team around me that made it possible.
“We will continue to innovate and explore new ways to deliver the products we know people love and even more exciting new options for them to try.”
Sharp’s also recently made a move into cider with its Cold River Cider offering, which secured silver at the International Cider Challenge 2021.
