The Beer Writer of the Year is chosen from one of six category winners which seek to find the very best of beer writing and journalism in the UK.

Alastair, who writes for the Newcastle Journal, is no stranger to success at the industry equivalent of the Oscars, having won in 1998, 2000 and 2005.

Last year’s winner and chairman of the judges, Ben McFarland, said: “Alastair is an exceptional talent and his knowledge and passion for beer really comes across in his journalism. It was a tough decision as this year’s entrants were of the highest standard.”

Alastair also scooped the award for Regional Journalism and was joined on the podium by nine other winners (see below for local details):

* Budweiser Budvar John White Travel bursary 2007 – awarded to Adrian Tierney-Jones, freelance journalist.
* The Bishop’s Finger Award for Beer and Food Writing 2007 - awarded to Fiona Beckett and Will Beckett.
* The Whistable Bay Brewed with Sustainability Award 2007 – Kate Prout, ITV News

* The Wells & Young’s Trade & Technical Journalism Award 2007 – awarded to Adam Withrington, Drinks Editor, The Publican. Runner-up was Christine Boggis, Off-Licence News.
* The Cains Finest Lager Award for Regional Journalism 2007 – winner was Alistair Gilmour, Newcastle Journal.
The runner up was the East Anglian Times’ Duncan Brodie.
* The Award for National Journalism 2007 – The winner was Jonathan Ray, Freelance Drinks writer and Daily Telegraph. The runner up was Roger Protz, freelance beer writer.
* The British Guild of Beer writers beer writer 2007 – Alastair Gilmour, Newcastle Journal

This is the 20th year of the Guild Dinner, which has become a key date in the journalistic calendar. Celebrity chef Brian Turner and Ben McFarland presented the awards.

British Guild of Beer Writers chairman Tim Hampson said: “The awards are a fabulous celebration of the very best of British beer writing. The breadth and depth of the work created by the winners show that beer is being treated very seriously.”

More than 170 journalists, brewers and pub operators attended the dinner at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington, London.

The British Guild of Beer Writers was established in 1988 to help spread the word about beer and brewing and improve standards of beer writing in general. Today the Guild has over 140 members – to find out more go to www.beerwriters.co.uk.