Gloucester, Swannay, and Wibblers Brewery take overall UK Gold
SIBA Independent Beer Awards 2019
Gloucester Brewery and Swannay Brewery have taken home Overall Champion Gold in the Cask and Keg Awards at the SIBA Independent Beer Awards 2019, with Wibblers Brewery being named the best bottled or canned beer.
Judged by brewers and industry experts and organised by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) at their flagship BeerX UK event in Liverpool, the awards run across a huge range of beer style categories in cask, craft keg, bottle and can.
The Overall Champion Cask beer is Gloucester Brewery’s 9% ABV ‘Imperial Stout’ – a punchy beer described as ‘rich, smooth, and warming, with aromas of roasted coffee and sultanas.’
In the craft keg competition it was Scottish brewery Swannay that took home the Overall Gold with their ‘Muckle IPA’, explained by the brewers as such ‘Muckle means big and this is one mighty IPA, breathe in the hops!’.
In the can and bottle competition it was Wibblers Brewery’s ‘Port Infused Imperial Stoat’ which like the cask winner is another big and bold imperial stout, this time infused with the flavours of port, and also 9% abv.
Jared Brown, Founder of Gloucester Brewery accepted the award along with his team at BeerX UK,
“It means a lot to win this award amongst so many fantastic breweries and where the standard has been so high. Even to get [category] Gold was enough, but then to go on and win the overall Gold is amazing. It’s a really complex beer and at nine per cent you can really pack in loads of flavour and make the beer deep and complex.”
John Middleton was collecting the award on behalf of the Wibblers Brewery team, “To get two golds including the overall champion is a massive achievement and the team will be delighted. It’s got a really complex recipe of malts which contribute hugely to it’s flavour – it’s a really superb beer.”
The SIBA Independent Beer Awards at BeerX UK are the trade association’s National finals and in order to earn a place at the competition brewers must first win at their regional competition – making these overall Champions very much the ‘best of the best’ when it comes to British independent craft beer.
SIBA Competitions Chair Guy Sheppard, a brewer himself at Exe Valley in the South West, congratulated the winners on their huge achievement:
“The SIBA Independent Beer Awards represent the culmination of a year’s worth of regional awards in the run up to the National Finals held here at BeerX UK in Liverpool. These really are the best of the best independent craft beers in cask, keg, bottle and can, and I would like to congratulate all of the winners and in particular our overall golds. Very well done!”
Full Winners List
Overall Champion of the Cask Competition
| Sponsored by Close Brothers Brewery Rentals | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Gloucester Brewery | Imperial Stout | 9.0 | |
| Silver | Loch Lomond Brewery | Lost in Mosaic | 5 | |
| Bronze | Shiny Brewery | Wrench | 4.4 |
Cask British Dark Beers (up to 4.4%)
| Sponsored by IC Filling Systems Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Shiny Brewery | Wrench | 4.4 | |
| Silver | West Berkshire Brewery | Maggs’ Magnificent Mild | 3.8 | |
| Bronze | Brewster’s Brewery | Aromatic Porter | 4.4 |
Cask British Dark Beers (4.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Rankin Bros & Sons | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Weal Ales Brewery | Centwealial Milk Stout | 4.9 | |
| Silver | Windswept Brewing Co Ltd | Wolf | 6 | |
| Bronze | Green-Jack Brewing Co. | lurcher | 4.8 |
Cask British Bitters (up to 4.4%)
| Sponsored by Murphy & Son Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Fyne Ales Ltd | Hurricane Jack | 4.4 | |
| Silver | The Earl Soham Brewery Ltd | Albert Ale | 4.4 | |
| Bronze | Prescott Ales | Hill Climb | 3.8 |
Cask Premium Bitters (4.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Charles Faram & Co Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Great Oakley Brewery | Gobble | 4.5 | |
| Silver | Whitstable Brewery | Pearl of Kent | 4.5 | |
| Bronze | Milton Brewery | Minerva | 4.6 |
Cask Session IPA (up to 4.3%)
| Sponsored by Thomas Fawcett & Sons Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Quantock Brewery | QPA | 4.0 | |
| Silver | Loch Lomond Brewery | Southern Summit | 4 | |
| Bronze | Great Oakley Brewery | Tiffield Thunderbolt | 4.2 |
Cask Premium PAs (4.4 to 5.4%)
| Sponsored by Crisp Malting Group | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Loch Lomond Brewery | Lost in Mosaic | 5 | |
| Silver | Ainsty Ales | Cool Citra | 4.4 | |
| Bronze | Bedlam Brewery | Bedlam Amagansett | 5.0 |
Cask IPA (5.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Rankin Bros & Sons | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Oakham Ales | Green Devil IPA | 6.0 | |
| Silver | Loch Lomond Brewery | Bravehop | 6 | |
| Bronze | Saltaire Brewery | Unity | 6 |
Cask Speciality Light Beers
| Sponsored by Rankin Bros & Sons | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Avid Brewing Co Limited | Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream Pale | 4.6 | |
| Silver | Moor Beer Company | Do It Together | 5.2 | |
| Bronze | Ferry Ales Brewery Ltd | Farmhouse Ale | 5.0 |
Cask Speciality Mid to Dark Beers
| Sponsored by NFU Mutual | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Gloucester Brewery | Imperial Stout | 9.0 | |
| Silver | Hammerton Brewery | CRUNCH | 5.4 | |
| Bronze | RedWillow Brewery Ltd | Smokeless | 5.7 |
Cask Strong Beers 6.5% and over
| Sponsored by Bulk Storage & Process Systems Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Loch Lomond Brewery | Outlander | 6.5 | |
| Silver | Exmoor Ales | Exmoor Beast | 6.6 | |
| Bronze | Bowland Brewery | Dragonglass | 7.4 |
Overall Champion of the Bottle/Can Beers
| Sponsored by Schoeller Allibert Limited | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Wibblers Brewery (Farms) Ltd | Port infused Imperial Stoat. | 9.0 | |
| Silver | The Sheffield Brewery Company | Berlin Black | 5.7 | |
| Bronze | Sonnet 43 Brew House | Miss Scarlets Revolver Toasted Coconut Mocha Porter | 6.8 |
Bottle/Can British Dark Beers (up to 4.4%)
| Sponsored by Norriq Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Wolf Brewery | Sirius Dog Star | 4.4 | |
| Silver | Stonehouse Brewery Limited | Ballast | 4.4 | |
| Bronze | Cullercoats Brewery Limited | Polly Donkin | 4.3 |
Bottle/Can British Dark Beers (4.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Cask Brewing Systems Inc | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | The Sheffield Brewery Company | Berlin Black | 5.7 | |
| Silver | Electric Bear Brewing Company | Inspector Remorse | 4.7 | |
| Bronze | East London Brewing Company Ltd. | Quadrant Oatmeal Stout | 5.8 |
Bottle/Can British Bitters (up to 4.4%)
| Sponsored by Napthens | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Liberation Brewery | Liberation Ale | 4.0 | |
| Silver | Loddon Brewery | Night Of The Stag | 4.4 | |
| Bronze | Acorn Brewery of Barnsley Ltd | Yorkshire Pride | 3.7 |
Bottle/Can Premium Bitters (4.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Beatson Clark | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Wold Top Brewery | Wold Gold | 4.8 | |
| Silver | Cheddar Ales Ltd | Karst | 4.9 | |
| Bronze | Fyne Ales Ltd | Highlander | 4.8 |
Bottle/Can Session IPA (up to 4.3%)
| Sponsored by Rastal GmbH X Co KG | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | RedWillow Brewery Ltd | Weightless | 4.2 | |
| Silver | Gun Dog Ales | Jack’s Spaniels | 3.8 | |
| Bronze | Calvors Brewery Limited | Calvors Session ipa | 4.2 |
Bottle/Can Premium PAs (4.4 to 5.4%)
| Sponsored by Core Equipment Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Zerodegrees Cardiff | Downtown Pale Ale | 4.6 | |
| Silver | Brewhouse and Kitchen Ltd Bournemouth | Yankee Hack | 4.8 | |
| Bronze | north brewing | Sputnik | 5 |
Bottle/Can IPA (5.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Vigo Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Eight Arch Brewing Co. | Corbel | 5.5 | |
| Silver | Wye Valley Brewery Ltd | Glorious IPA | 6.0 | |
| Bronze | Dhillons Brewery | Red IPA | 6.2 |
Bottle/Can ImperialIPA (6.5% & Over)
| Sponsored by Saxon Packaging Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Allendale Brewery | Wilderness | 6.5 | |
| Silver | Swannay Brewery | Muckle | 6.6 | |
| Bronze | The Loose Cannon Brewing Company Ltd | Double IPA | 7.5 |
Bottle/Can Session Lager & Pilsners
| Sponsored by Premier Systems Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Beer Monkey Brew Co. | Evolution Pilsner | 4.3 | |
| Silver | Thornbridge Brewery | Lukas | 4.2 | |
| Bronze | By The Horns Brewing Co. | Lager | 4.0 |
Bottle/Can Premium Lager & Pilsners
| Sponsored by Makro Labelling UK Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Harbour Brewing Company | Pilsner Lager | 5.0 | |
| Silver | Calvors Brewery Limited | Calvors Premium Pilsner | 5.0 | |
| Bronze | Hawkshead Brewery | Hawkshead Lager | 5.0 |
Bottle/Can Speciality Light Beers
| Sponsored by Vale Labels Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Inner Bay Brewery Ltd | Pearl | 6 | |
| Silver | Elgood & Sons Ltd | Cherry Wheat Beer | 3.6 | |
| Bronze | Stonehouse Brewery Limited | Witbier | 4.2 |
Bottle/Can Speciality Mid to Dark Beers
| Sponsored by Rastal GmbH & Co KG | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Wibblers Brewery (Farms) Ltd | Port infused Imperial Stoat. | 9.0 | |
| Silver | Hawkshead Brewery | Tiramisu Imperial Stout | 10.0 | |
| Bronze | Thornbridge Brewery | Coco Cocoa | 5.5 |
Bottle/CanSours/Spontaneous
| Brewery | Product | ABV | ||
| Gold | Elgood & Sons Ltd | Coolship Mango | 5.0 | |
| Silver | Brew York | Goose Willis | 5.3 | |
| Bronze | Thornbridge Brewery | Tart | 6.0 |
Bottle/Can Strong Beers 6.5% and over
| Brewery | Product | ABV | ||
| Gold | Sonnet 43 Brew House | Miss Scarlets Revolver Toasted Coconut Mocha Porter | 6.8 | |
| Silver | Fyne Ales Ltd | Mills & Hills | 9.5 | |
| Bronze | Moor Beer Company | Old Freddy Walker | 7.3 |
Overall Champion of the Keg Beers
| Sponsored by Kegstar | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Swannay Brewery | Muckle IPA | 6.6 | |
| Silver | Otter Brewery | Tarka Four | 4.0 | |
| Bronze | Orkney Brewery | Skullsplitter | 8.5 |
Keg British Dark Beers (up to 4.4%)
| Sponsored by Muntons plc | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Neckstamper Brewing | Bonebox Cooler London Porter | 4.4 | |
| Silver | Stonehouse Brewery | Ballast | 4.4 | |
| Bronze | Joseph Holt Ltd | Black | 3.4 |
Keg British Dark Beers (4.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Pentair Food & Beverage Solutions | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Padstow Brewing Co | The Smoke | 5.5 | |
| Silver | Dovedale Brewing Company | Stout | 4.6 | |
| Bronze | Windswept Brewing Co | Wolf | 6.0 |
Keg British Bitters (up to 4.4%)
| Sponsored by Schafer Container Systems | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Rooster’s Brewing Co. | Yankee | 4.3 | |
| Silver | Gloucester Brewery | Gloucester Gold | 3.9 | |
| Bronze | Wily Fox Brewery | Fox Hat | 4.2 |
Keg Premium Bitters (4.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Anton Paar Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | RedWillow Brewery | Wreckless | 4.8 | |
| Silver | Signature Brew | Progressive Bitter | 4.7 | |
| Bronze | Butcombe Brewing Co. | Original | 4.5 |
Keg Session IPA (up to 4.3%)
| Sponsored by Zoedale | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | salopian | Auric | 4.0 | |
| Silver | Leigh on Sea Brewery | Legra Pale | 3.8 | |
| Bronze | Barngates Brewery | Pale | 3.3 |
Keg Premium PAs (4.4 to 5.4%)
| Sponsored by Close Brothers Brewery Rentals | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Quantock Brewery | Titanium | 5.1 | |
| Silver | Keith Brewery Ltd. | Pale Keith | 5.0 | |
| Bronze | Love Lane Brewery | Love Lane Pale Ale | 4.5 |
Keg IPA (5.5 to 6.4%)
| Sponsored by Close Brothers Brewery Rentals | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Love Lane Brewery | Love Lane Double Dry Hopped IPA | 6.1 | |
| Silver | Rooster’s Brewing Co. | Baby-Faced Assassin | 6.1 | |
| Bronze | Tap East | IPA | 6.0 |
Keg Imperial IPA (6.5% and over)
| Sponsored by Flextech Hose Solutions | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Swannay Brewery | Muckle IPA | 6.6 | |
| Silver | Brecon Brewing | Mind Bleach | 10.0 | |
| Bronze | Blackedge Brewing Co Ltd | DIPA | 8.0 |
Keg Session Lager & Pilsners
| Sponsored by SPAsoft Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Otter Brewery | Tarka Four | 4.0 | |
| Silver | The Norfolk Brewhouse | DewHopper | 4.0 | |
| Bronze | Rebellion Beer Co. Ltd. | Lager | 4.4 |
Keg Premium Lager & Pilsners
| Sponsored by Keg Logistics UK Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Wye Valley Brewery | 1985 | 4.5 | |
| Silver | Woodforde’s Brewery | Conquest | 4.5 | |
| Bronze | Barngates Brewery | Vienna | 5.2 |
Keg Speciality Light Beers
| Sponsored by Festival Glass Ltd | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Big Smoke Brew Co | Cold Spark | 3.6 | |
| Silver | Stonehouse Brewery | Witbier | 4.2 | |
| Bronze | Tring Brewery | Earl Grey Pale Ale | 4.5 |
Keg Speciality Mid to Dark Beers
| Sponsored by Muntons plc | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Hammerton Brewery London | Crunch | 5.4 | |
| Silver | Elgood & Sons Ltd | Cherry Wheat | 3.6 | |
| Bronze | Wily Fox Brewery | Dark flagon | 5.0 |
Keg Sours/Spontaneous
| Sponsored by Lallemand UK | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Hawkshead Brewery | Solar Sour | 3.3 | |
| Silver | Elgood & Sons Ltd | Coolship Mango | 5.0 | |
| Bronze | Purity Brewing Company | Farmhouse Ale | 6.0 |
Keg Strong Beers 6.5% and over
| Sponsored by Napthens | Brewery | Product | ABV | |
| Gold | Orkney Brewery | Skullsplitter | 8.5 | |
| Silver | salopian | polygraph | 7.4 | |
| Bronze | Signature Brew | Anthology | 10.0 |
