SIBA Business Awards 2020 to include “UK’s Best Independent Craft Brewery Taproom” Award

LONDON, UK / AGILITYPR.NEWS / November 01, 2019 / The SIBA Business Awards 2020 will for the first time ever feature an award for theUK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Taproom, following huge growth in the number of breweries opening their doors and serving beer on-site.

Over a quarter of independent craft breweries* now have Taprooms on-site, serving the freshest possible beer and engaging with their local communities, often building a loyal local following of beer-lovers. 

As well as the new Taproom category the SIBA Business Awards seek to congratulate excellence in the brewing industry across a variety of categories, from pump clip, can and bottle design, to efforts taken by brewers to make their business more eco-friendly, innovative or successful, as well as naming the UK’s best bars, restaurants and retailers of craft beer from independent breweries.

The prestigious industry awards open for entries today, with the winners set to be announced at the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) flagship event ‘BeerX UK’ in Liverpool, March 2020.

“The SIBA Business Awards seek to acknowledge the most forward-thinking, innovative and successful beer businesses and have evolved year-on-year to include categories which best match with the direction of the independent craft brewing industry – one of the most exciting sectors in the UK. The quality and quantity of entries has gone from strength to strength in recent years so if you believe your business is the best in the UK at what you do then I would urge you to take a look at this year’s awards, they’re set to be the best ever.” Neil Walker, SIBA Business Awards judging chair

The SIBA Business Awards are unique in being both free to enter and judged by a panel of independent industry experts, managed by not-for-proft trade association the Society of Independent Brewers. The craft beer retailing, promotion, restaurant and bar categories were introduced in 2016 to highlight the fantastic work being done to promote British independent craft beer, and are open for entry by businesses across the UK. Inapub partner with the awards for the UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub categories (‘City’ and ‘Rural’), a hugely successful partnership that will continue in 2020.

To find out more or to enter the awards visit www.siba.co.uk/business-awards

SIBA Business Awards 2020: Awards Categories

Marketing Implementation

For all aspects of effective marketing and communication strategy, including general or specific campaigns, promotions, PR, social media activity, product launch, shop, visitor centre, etc.

Entries must stand out from the crowd for marketing initiative, effective communication, a PR opportunity seized, or imagination and creativity deployed in the increasingly competitive virtual world of social networking.

Green Business

For taking the ethics of environmental awareness and responsible business operation way beyond the norm, with either a single innovative initiative or a holistic strategy for sustainability.

Entries must show how measures implemented in the brewery, such as production processes, energy economies, recycling and packaging, are minimising environmental impact to the benefit of both brewery and community.

Best Individual Design

For a single design ​of bottle, can or pump clip that clearly stands out, gains point-of-sale market advantage and ultimately drives the purchase of a brewery product.

Strong traditional designs are welcome, but entries are also sought for contemporary and original artwork that puts a brewery’s beers at the forefront of the evolution of point-of-sale as an essential marketing tool.

Multiple entries from a brewery are welcome, but should be entered separately and any entries which contain a range of designs within a ‘concept’ or ‘brand’ should be entered into the Total Concept Design Category below.

Best Total Concept Design

For the design concept behind either a single brand, a range of beers, a marketing project, or a brewery’s entire branding and image strategy.

Entries must provide details of all aspects of the design concept and how it creates a distinct market identity, setting the brand apart in an intensely competitive field.

Supplier Associate of the Year

This award seeks to highlight the UK’s best SIBA Supplier Associate and is SIBA Brewing Member nominated.

From brewing ingredient suppliers and brewery fabricators, to business consultants and agencies, The Supplier Associate of the Year is a company which has shown a real understanding of brewery needs and actively supported independent craft brewing businesses throughout the year.

Business Innovation

For breweries that have shown true innovation in their business. This could be anything from a bold export operation getting beer in to the hands of new consumers or an internal innovation which has improved efficiency or profitability.

This broad category should be entered by any brewery who believe they have done something innovative within the industry.

Commercial Achievement

The commercial achievement award should be entered by breweries that have experienced commercial success in one or all areas of their business. Whether it is a brewery starting from scratch or an established brewer expanding their reach, the commercial achievement award aims to highlight the most business savvy from our industry.

UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Multiple

For retailers selling independent craft beer from a number of locations. The business itself can be a specialist craft beer retailer or a businesses which has recently shown a commitment to promoting independent craft beer.

UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Single

For retailers selling independent craft beer from a single location. The business itself can be a specialist craft beer retailer or a businesses which has recently shown a commitment to promoting independent craft beer.

UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – City

For pubs or bars which have shown an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers (including cask, keg, bottle or can). This award is specifically for pubs or bars located in urban, city, town centre, or suburban locations across the UK. Run in association with Inapub.

UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – Rural

For pubs or bars which have shown an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers (including cask, keg, bottle or can). This award is specifically for pubs or bars located in rural, village, or isolated locations across the UK. Run in association with Inapub.

UK’s Best Independent Craft Brewery Taproom – NEW!

For Taprooms which are located within, or in very close proximity to, working independent craft breweries.

Judges will be looking for an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers (including cask, keg, bottles or cans) in a welcoming and attractive environment.

This award is specifically for SIBA member Brewery Taprooms and not for ‘Brewery Taps’ or off-site ‘Taprooms’ not located within or near to the owner brewery. If you are a brewery with an off-site Taproom or Brewery Tap then you can enter this into the relevant Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub category.

UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Restaurant

For restaurants, bistros and gastropubs whose primary business is food but who have shown an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers. This award is for outlets throughout the UK.

Best Independent Craft Beer Promotion – NEW!

This new combined award is for breweries, agencies or other businesses involved with the brewing industry who have shown innovation and success in promoting beer in either the on or off-trade, or both.

This could be via local beer weeks, festivals, social events, online or social media campaigns, via apps, through point of sale, promotions, or any other means but must be aimed at encouraging the drinking of independent craft beer at home or in bars, pubs, restaurants and taprooms.

Sources:

*27% of breweries now have a brewery taproom on-site. SIBA Members’ Survey Data, 2019

2019 Brewery Business of the Year Good Things Brewing

SIBA Business Awards 2020 logo