The winners of the British Beer & Pub Association industry annual awards were announced at the BBPA’s annual dinner at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge last night. Punch Taverns, Star Pubs & Bars and St Austell Brewery scooped the prizes – and a special Chairman’s Award was given to Brandon Lewis MP in recognition of his outstanding work for the industry during his time as community pubs minister.
Beer Champion 2014
Winners – Punch Taverns: the winner had something special that all the judges were incredibly impressed by – a true dedication to bringing a huge range of Great British beers to their estate of over 4,000 pubs, across the country. Punch’s national campaign effectively promoted high quality cask ales and led to sales outperforming competitors by seven per cent. The company went above and beyond in providing marketing and training to support their tenants.
Highly commended: Close Brewery Rentals and Timothy Taylors.
Pub Champion 2014
Winners – Star Pubs & Bars: Star Pubs & Bars have worked hard to secure pubs for future generations through effective investment in their pubs through both physical improvements to the pub estate, and engagement in the social responsibility agenda. They proved that they have made great progress over the past year in helping their licensees to reach their true potential and turning around under-performing pubs.
Nominees: Admiral Taverns, Liberation Group and Star Pubs & Bars
Heart of the Community
Winners – St Austell Brewery: proved their commitment by going above and beyond through their work in the community. In ensuring that their tenants receive the best support that can be offered, and through their dedication to reducing their carbon footprint, this family business has raised over £400,000 for charity since 2003 – and still manages to provide award winning beers!
Highly commended – Brakspear: Environmental commitment is second nature to the highly commended entry in this category. Practical solutions by joining forces with Friends of the Earth to help protect the bee, Brakspear showed their originality throughout their creative entry.
Nominees: Brakspear, Carlsberg UK, Enterprise Inns, Sharps Brewery and St Austell Brewery
Chairman’s Award
Winner – Brandon Lewis MP: in confronting the range of regulatory challenges that pubs face, this former community pubs minister has really made a difference for Britain’s pubs. He was instrumental in championing the cause of lower beer duty. He worked hard for a better deal on business rates for pubs, and putting pubs at the heart of the agenda when it comes to renewal of our high streets and their contribution to the tourism sector.
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