SIBA honours Roger Protz and George Philliskirk
SIBA chairman Guy Sheppard, Dr George Philliskirk and Roger Protz
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has given Lifetime Achievement Awards to beer writer Roger Protz and to George Philliskirk, former director of the Beer Academy.
The Awards were presented at SIBA’s BeerX event in Sheffield by chairman Guy Sheppard, who said, “We are delighted to recognise the enormous contribution made by both Roger and George to British beer and brewing.
“Over the course of their long careers, they have been tireless ambassadors for beer, sharing their knowledge and passion with countless others within and outside the brewing and pubs industry. It is no exaggeration to say that their work has helped to restore beer’s place in the national consciousness.”
Presenting Protz with his trophy, Sheppard said, “Roger has energetically promoted beer at every opportunity, appearing on radio, television and national newspapers and magazines to extoll its virtues with his characteristic eloquence, style and clarity.
“As a founder member of the Guild of British Beer Writers, Roger helped to raise the profile of beer writing and paved the way for the revival of media interest in beer. He has written more than 20 books about beer, written for countless magazines in the UK and abroad and is as energetic and passionate today as at the start of his career.”
Dr Philliskirk was, said Sheppard “a highly respected figure in British brewing, whose work has influenced both brewers and beer drinkers over many decades.”
After completing a PhD in yeast research at Birmingham University in the mid-70s, Philliskirk forged a career in brewing, becoming head of Carlberg UK’s technical department before joining the Beer Academy in 2004. He recently stepped down as the organisation’s director and chief examiner.
Philliskirk is a Fellow of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) and a former chairman of its Board of Examiners, as well as an external examiner at Heriot-Watt University. He lectured extensively, and presented beer tastings across a range of media including the Richard & Judy chat show, and for several years at the BBC Good Food Show.
The presentations to Protz and Philliskirk were made at BeerX before an audience of brewers, suppliers and other visitors to the event.
