Hawkshead Brewery takes top prize at SIBA Business Awards
Alex Brodie of Hawkshead Brewery, SIBA managing director Mike Benner; Wendy & Dave Steeple of Fuggle Bunny Brew House
Hawkshead Brewery beat intense competition to take the title of Overall Brewery Business of the Year, announced at SIBA’s BeerX event in Sheffield.
Judges gave the top title in the SIBA Business Awards to Hawkshead, based in Cumbria, for the development of its Beer Hall – a brewery tap, visitor centre and showcase for beer. They commented, “The Beer Hall was a brave idea in a rural area and has not only developed Hawkshead’s business, but is creating interest in the brewing industry as a whole.” Hawkshead won the Best Business Development and Best Customer Support categories on its way to taking the overall prize.
A further eight brewers were recognised in the Business Awards for excellence in everything from customer support to marketing and ‘green’ initiatives, while accolades were also presented to eight brewers in the SIBA Design Awards, which reward the best design on pump clips, bottle labels and overall visual branding. Fuggle Bunny Brew House, based in Sheffield, took the Best Total Design Concept Award, for an innovative ‘story telling’ approach that engages drinkers with their beers.
The Business Awards were presented by SIBA managing director Mike Benner and Patrick Redman, chairman of the BFBi. Benner said, “The SIBA Business Awards have been running for 10 years. In that time, the independent brewing sector has expanded hugely and competition increased for a place on the bar or facing in the supermarket. Now more than ever, brewers have to do more than just brew great beer, they have to be great businesspeople as well.
“Our Business Awards recognise a raft of business skills and it is a credit to the talent of our members that so many of them submitted strong, compelling entries this year. What SIBA brewers may lack in size, they more than make up for with entrepreneurial flair, professionalism and dedication to their business.”
