This year’s winners of the British Beer & Pub Association industry annual awards have gone to Frederic Robinson, Everards and Carlsberg UK, with a special Chairman’s Award presented to a remarkable Government Minister, Sajid Javid MP, who has championed the sector with the first cut in beer duty since the 1950s.
• Beer Champion 2013 – Frederic Robinson
• Pub Champion 2013 – Everards
• Heart of the Community – Carlsberg UK
• Chairman’s Award – Sajid Javid MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury
Beer Champion 2013 – Frederic Robinson
Not all aging is bad! 175 year old family brewery Robinsons has proved it still has what it takes when it comes to brewing excellence, impressing the judges with their ‘true dedication to beer and brewing’.
With significant investment in their brewing operations, including the additions of a brand new cereal cooker, energy recovery system (saves 30%) and a “Hopnik” (a kind of giant tea strainer that draws out a lot of the good flavours of hops leaves that would otherwise be cooked out), accompanied by a £2million visitor and educational centre, not to mention the launch of several innovative ales, the Robinsons family, now operated by the 6th generation, are undeniably devoted to their future and the future of British brewing.
Within weeks of opening the doors to a pristine Brew House and Visitors Centre, Robinsons’ launched 3 nifty new beers, specially designed for the first time ever to go with food (chicken, steak and curry) in partnership with Celebrity Chef Simon Rimmer. The range has opened up the beer category to a new group of consumers who may have typically drunk something different with their meal.
However, the real game changer came in the form of a 4.8% ABV deep golden ale launched in May 2013: TROOPER has marched its way into major pub chains and wholesalers throughout the UK. The ale, brewed and designed jointly with Bruce Dickinson, lead singer of Iron Maiden and lover of real ale, has been the catalyst to increasing the global exposure of Robinsons with countries like South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and Chile now importing Robinsons’ beers for the first time.
Given that the beer was only launched in the UK five months, and only made available to the USA and most other countries less than two months ago, over two million pints of TROOPER have been sold globally (one million of which have been exported).
With its focus firmly on taste and easy-drinking, TROOPER not only appeals to Iron Maiden’s legendary loyal fan-base, it is attracting new customers to the beer category who are now trying cask ale for the very first time. Keith Bott, SIBA Chairman, believes TROOPER is strengthening the British brewing industry in these times of austerity and is one to watch for future world beer competitions:
“There’s no doubt that a beer like Trooper with Robinsons is great for British beer exports generally. There have been 1 millions pints sold abroad to date and the way things are going this will multiply. Because the beer is directed at Iron Maiden fans worldwide it stands to reason that we have a fair proportion trying British beers for the first time and, if they like what they taste, then that can only be good for other British brewers. In recent years new world craft beers have done increasingly well in world beer competitions and this is the sort of beer that can fight back.”
Highly commended – Marston’s: The company constantly challenges itself to innovate. It not only offers new ideas and new beers – it also campaigns for beer as a category.
Nominees: Close Brewery Rentals, Daniel Thwaites, Frederic Robinsons, Marston’s and Molson Coors
Pub Champion 2013 – Everards
The judges felt that this company did something really special: it took on the challenge of not only reopening closed pubs, but also supporting emerging small brewers to develop and expand. It is a company dedicated to pubs far beyond its own brand and invests in pub people at every opportunity.
Highly commended – Star Pubs & Bars. The company demonstrated a true passion for pubs and their publicans – from investments not only financial, but in skills, support and innovation.
Nominees: Daniel Thwaites, Everards, Marston’s, Punch Taverns and Star Pubs & Bars
Heart of the Community – Carlsberg UK
Through an ambitious social responsibility programme, their ‘Engage with Society’ scheme, Carlsberg have looked at all aspects of their work. Through environmental, safety, charity and backing local businesses, they have already demonstrated real success. The judges recognized that cultural change in a large operation is hard and that this programme is set to continue until 2020.
Highly commended – Timothy Taylor. This is a family brewer that has demonstrated a long term commitment to its community. When it invests, Timothy Taylor supports local businesses and uses local suppliers. Its charitable ethos is to be admired, with over ten years support for the local Sue Ryder Hospice.
Nominees: Carlsberg UK, Daniel Thwaites, Heineken UK, Hobsons Brewery, and Timothy Taylor
Chairman’s Award – Sajid Javid MP
As a new minister for the industry, Sajid Javid has proved engaged and insightful, keen to listen to the sector’s economic case. He has been there to back the industry for growth, for championing pubs and communities. He has made the case to the Chancellor for the first cut in beer duty since the 1950s.