SIBA Business Awards 2021 Winners revealed: Signature Brew named Brewery Business of the Year for the second time
The SIBA Business Awards 2021 last night awarded the very best businesses from across the beer and brewing industry, highlighting businesses who have not just survived but excelled across a range of awards categories – during what has been quite possibly one of the toughest 12 months the brewing, beer and pubs sector has ever seen.
Last night’s big winners were Signature Brew – who were named Brewery Business of the Year 2021 for the second time, having also won in 2018 – and Charles Faram, who were named SIBA Supplier Associate of the Year 2021.
Signature Brew’s Co-Founder Tom Bott accepted the award via an online Awards ceremony which took place last night and was broadcast over YouTube Live, he had this to say on their win,
“We’re incredibly humbled and thrilled to have won SIBA’s Brewery Business Of The Year Award for a second time. The last 12 months have been exceptionally turbulent and difficult for everyone in the industry and we couldn’t be prouder to work in a sector as resilient and innovative as the craft beer community. We’d like to say a huge thank you to our amazing team and our drinkers for their continued support. We can’t wait to see everyone for a pint very soon.” Tom Bott, Signature Brew.
The SIBA Business Awards are judged by a panel of independent beer industry experts, managed by not-for-profit trade association the Society of Independent Brewers. The awards cover everything from brewery marketing, design and innovation, to efforts to make businesses more eco friendly or impactful. This year two additional categories were added to highlight the amazing work done by breweries and suppliers businesses in the face of incredible pressure from Covid. The craft beer retailing, restaurant and bar categories highlight the fantastic work being done to promote British independent craft beer, and include businesses from across the UK.
“This has been an incredibly difficult twelve months for our industry but these awards show the resilience of the British brewing industry and the amazing work that is being done by businesses across the UK. This was a very tough year to judge and in fact we have awarded more Highly Commended awards in 2021 than ever before, as it was so difficult to separate an incredibly impressive pack of finalists.
“Huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners, but in particular our Brewery Business of the Year Signature Brew – who gave jobs to out of work musicians when venues were forced to close and tackled loneliness and isolation with their lo-fi beer campaign – and of course our Supplier Associate of the Year Charles Faram – A company who have won the award many times over the years thanks to a passionate commitment to supporting independent brewing across the UK. This year they showed how much brewers and this industry mean to them with their support through a critical period for struggling businesses.” Neil Walker, Chair of Judges.
This year’s SIBA Business Awards judges were beer writer and author Pete Brown, magazine Editor and freelance journalist Robyn Black, CAMRA’s Senior Campaigns Manager and former Councillor Ellie Hudspith, supporter of independent brewing businesses Elliot Colburn MP, Independent Brewer magazine Editor Caroline Nodder, SIBA’s Head of Public Affairs Barry Watts, and SIBA’s Head of Comms & Marketing Neil Walker, who chaired the judging.
SIBA Business Awards 2021 – Full Winners List
Covid Brewery Initiative Award
Cloudwater Brew Co
Highly Commended: Signature Brew
Covid Supplier Initiative Award
Charles Faram
Highly Commended: Crisp Malt, Saxon Packaging
Marketing Implementation
Signature Brew
Highly Commended: North Brewing Co
Green Business
Hobsons Brewing Co
Best Individual Design
North Brewing Co – Springwell Pils
Best Concept Design
Anspach & Hobday – Oktoberfest range
Highly Commended: Good Chemistry, Brewery Brand
Business Innovation
Northern Monk
Commercial Achievement
Big Drop Brewing Co
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Multiple
Real Ale
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Single
A Hoppy Place, Windsor
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Restaurant
Hood, Streatham
UK’s Best Independent Craft Brewery Taproom
40FT, Dalston
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – City
Dead Craft Beer Co, Liverpool
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – Rural
The Royal Barn, Kirkby Lonsdale
Supplier Associate of the Year (Brewer nominated)
Charles Faram
Brewery Business of the Year
Signature Brew
