Category winners and runners-up as well as the overall Beer Writer of the Year and Brewer of the Year will be unveiled on 23 November at the guild’s annual awards dinner in Westminster, London.
Judges read, viewed and listened to 190 entries including books, newspaper and magazine articles, blogs, radio broadcasts, films and podcasts. Entries were submitted across 16 categories and the winners will share a highest-ever prize fund of £19,500.
Robust judging process
Finalists were selected through a robust judging process by a panel chaired by Pete Brown, current Beer Writer of the Year, who said: “I first chaired these awards a decade ago and this year’s field feels very different: more entries tackling a broader range of topics and using a wider range of media, submitted by a more diverse group of writers and other communicators.
“The quality of entries this year is as high as it’s ever been, which speaks volumes for the standard of communication achieved by guild members. It also means some great work has sadly not made the cut this year, so as well as congratulating our finalists, we send our commiserations to the talented communicators who have missed out this year and hope they enter again.”
The Brewer of the Year Award, sponsored by SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers), is decided by guild members. Seven brewers were nominated by members, who then voted in an online poll. The winner will be announced at the dinner.
Guests at the awards will enjoy dinner with beers matched to each course and beers before and after the meal.
Alongside Pete Brown, this year’s judging panel includes Mitch Adams, beer sommelier and beer buyer at Euroboozer; Molly Davis, head of communications at the BII (British Institute of Innkeeping); Claire Dodd, travel and drinks writer; Matt Eley, communications consultant and former editor of Inapub magazine; Fergus Fitzgerald, production director at Adnams; Kelly McCarthy CBII, licensee of the Old Sun Inn in Yorkshire; John Mitchinson, co-founder of crowdfunding publishers Unbound; Ned Palmer, cheesemonger and author; and Michelle Perrett, industry journalist and communications expert.
The finalists
Brewer of the Year, sponsored by SIBA
Paul Anspach, Anspach & Hobday
Tomos Dunn, Bluestone Brewing
Ross Hunter, Surrey Hills Brewery
Rob Lovatt, Thornbridge Brewery
Samuel Martyn, Leigh-on-Sea Brewery
Andy Parker, Elusive Brewing
Scott Povey, Fixed Wheel Brewery
Best Corporate Beer Communication
CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale)
Siren Brew
Untold Agency
Best Book about Beer or Pubs, sponsored by Heineken
Melissa Cole
Jonny Garrett
Roger Protz
Em Sauter
Adrian Tierney-Jones
Jaega Wise
Best Citizen Beer Communicator, sponsored by Krombacher
Oli Haydon
Joey Leskin
Matt Rogers
Best Communication About Diversity in Beer and Pubs
Emmie Harrison-West
David Jesudason
Ruvani de Silva
Ariana di Valentino
Best Newcomer to Beer Communication, sponsored by Fuller, Smith & Turner
Melanie Epp
Emmie Harrison-West
Reece Hugill
Ashley Joanna
Best Communication about Beer and Travel, sponsored by VisitFlanders
Alastair Gilmour
Will Hawkes
Dan Saladino
Eoghan Walsh
Lily Waite
Tim Webb
Best Audio Beer Communication, sponsored by Asahi UK
Matthew Curtis
Jonny Garrett
Jane Peyton
Eoghan Walsh
Best Communication about Cider, sponsored by Inch’s Cider
Gabe Cook
James Crowden
Neutral Cider Hotel
Dan Saladino
Adam Wells
Best Video Beer Communication, sponsored by St Austell Brewery
Jonny Garrett & Brad Evans
Breandán Kearney
Kimberley Owen
Danny Savage
Best Communication about No and Low Alcohol Beers, sponsored by Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I
Laura Hadland
Emmie Harrison-West
Jane Peyton
Pete Turner
Best Communication about Sustainability in Beer and Pubs, sponsored by Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company
Mark Dredge
Anthony Gladman
Tim O'Rourke
Hollie Stephens
Best Beer Business Communication
Stephen Beaumont
Matthew Curtis
Richard Molloy
Tim Sheahan
Best Communication about Pubs, sponsored by Shepherd Neame
Jonny Garrett
Alastair Gilmour
Gary Gillman
Laura Hadland
Rachel Hendry
David Jesudason
Best Self-Published Beer Writing
Martyn Cornell
Beth Demmon
Mark Dredge
Gary Gillman
Laura Hadland
Eoghan Walsh
Best Beer Communicator, Regional Media, sponsored by Adnams
Melanie Epp
Alastair Gilmour
Ashley Joanna
Breandán Kearney
Best Commissioned Beer Writing, sponsored by Greene King
Jemma Beedie
Mark Dredge
Jeff Evans
Will Hawkes
David Jesudason
Ruvani de Silva
Adrian Tierney-Jones
