36 breweries and 247 beers all brewed in Scotland have progressed to the finals in the national competition for Scottish beer.
The Scottish Beer Awards, sponsored by Aldi, is now in its 8th year and is the largest competition of its kind, drawing on the expert views of a large judging panel as sensory and business experts.
6 breweries have been selected as finalists in the ultimate award of the night, Scottish Brewery of the Year. These are 71 Brewing, Bellfield, Cold Town, Fierce Beer, Loch Lomond and Williams Bros Brewing.
In the Small Brewery of the Year category, Barney’s Beer, Brewtoon, Campervan, Five Kingdoms and Moonwake Beer Co have been selected following the judging process.
Chair of the judging panel, Hilary Jones commented;
“Now in its 8th year, the Scottish Beer Awards once again showcases an exciting selection of the best beers brewed in Scotland. Through the rigorous blind tasting process, the expert judges have scored the majority of the beers entered extremely highly. The entries submitted in the business categories were also particularly strong this year.
To make it as a finalist in this prestigious competition is an achievement in itself. On behalf of the entire judging panel, I congratulate the many and diverse breweries who have taken part this year, and we look forward to celebrating the successes of the vibrant beer industry in Scotland, at our awards dinner in September.”
The awards are supported with sponsorship from Aldi which has a long history of promoting and selling Scottish made beer. Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director for ALDI Scotland, commented;
“We are honoured to continue as the headline sponsor of the Scottish Beer Awards for an eighth consecutive year. We are thrilled to see so many Scottish brewers participate in the competition with their exciting and innovative brews. Scottish breweries and their beautifully crafted products are a corner stone of our business, and we are so proud to showcase a wide range in our stores.
At Aldi, we are delighted to play a role in the expansion and success of the Scottish brewing industry which is still thriving. We send our best wishes for success to each and every finalist in this year's competition.”
In this year’s competition, 309 Scottish beers were blind tasted at an all-day judging event which took place under strict competition conditions. Beers were marked on a range of measures including appearance, aroma and most importantly, taste.
All medal winners will be announced at an awards celebration on Thursday 14th September 2023. This year’s ticket only event will be hosted by Des Clarke and feature beer bars and high-quality street food stalls. Tickets include all beer and food available on the night and can be bought HERE.
The Scottish Beer Awards support The BEN, the Benevolent Society of the Licensed Trade of Scotland via fundraising on the night and also in the donation of surplus competition stock which is now with The Ben and available for auction.
Don’t forget to tag us across all your digital channels using #scottishbeerawards.
Full List of Finalists
Business Categories:
Scottish Brewery of the Year, Sponsored by Aldi
Williams Bros Brewing
Fierce Beer
71 Brewing
Bellfield
Loch Lomond
Cold Town
Scottish Small Brewery of the Year, Sponsored by Stainless Steel Vessels
Moonwake Beer Co.
six°north
Barney's Beer
Five Kingdoms
Brewtoon
Campervan
Product Development Team of the Year, Sponsored by Kegstar
Barney's Beer
Bellfield Brewery
Cold Town Beer
Fierce Beer
six°north
Stewart Brewing
Williams Bros Brewing Co
Best Beer Destination, Sponsored by Close Brothers
Bellfield Brewery
Belhaven Brewery
Keller Taproom & Brewery
Cold Town House
Fierce Beer
Moonwake Beer Co.
Shilling Brewing Company
six°north - The Marine Hotel
Stewart Brewing
The Raven
Winton Brewery
Excellence in Marketing, Sponsored by Rankin Brothers & Sons
Cold Town Beer
Fierce Beer
Jump Ship Brewing
Moonwake Beer Co.
Taste Categories:
Best Lager, Sponsored by Thompson Hunter
Bellfield Brewery - Craft Lager
Bellfield Brewery - Radical Shift IPL
Bellfield Brewery - Vienna Secession Lager
Brew Toon – FreshMex Lime Lager
Brew Toon - Torr Lager
Brew Toon – Weekend Hooker
Cairngorm Brewery Company - Saaziness
Closet Brewing Project - Mieter*innen
Cold Town Beer - Cold Town Lager
Cromarty Brewing Co - Lager
Durty Brewing - Angry Sheep
Moonwake Beer Co. - Lager
six°north - 10th Anniversary Marzen
St.Andrews Brewpub Company - Lager
Stewart Brewing - Stewart's Lager
Tennent Caledonian Breweries - Tennents Gluten Free Lager
Tennent Caledonian Breweries - Tennents Lager
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Caesar Augustus
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Craft Lager
Windswept Brewing Co - Lighthouse
Winton Brewery - Taps Aff
Best Pilsner
71 Brewing - 71 Lager
Barney's Beer - Stone's Throw
Bellfield Brewery - Bohemian Pilsner
Bellfield Brewery - Three Rivers Pils
Brew Toon - Pineapple Pils
Campervan Brewery - Leith Pils
Five Kingdoms Brewery - Renton
Loch Lomond Brewery - Helles Glen
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Chillax
Williams Bros Brewing Co - El Perro Negro
Windswept Brewing Co - Halo
Best Pale Ale
71 Brewing - Cloud Fall
71 Brewing - Hula Hula
Bellfield Brewery - Wild Shore Saison
Cairngorm Brewery Company - Loch Ness Hoppyness
Campervan Brewery - Northern Switch (Blackjack Brewery Collab)
Cromarty Brewing Co - Kowabunga
Cross Borders Brewing Company - XPA
Five Kingdoms Brewery - Gatsby
Harviestoun Brewery - The Ridge
Loch Lomond Brewery - Southern Summit
Moonwake Beer Co. - Pale Ale
Moonwake Beer Co. - Solero Pale
Moonwake Beer Co. - XPA
six°north - Picaro
St.Andrews Brewpub Company - Pale Ale
Stewart Brewing - Holyrood
Stewart Brewing - Ka Pai
Stewart Brewing - Masterplan
Winton Brewery - Barryswally
Winton Brewery - Peelywally
Best Low or No Alcohol Beer (up to 2.8%)
Barney's Beer - Faux: Lime
Brew Toon - Misty Lemon Radler
Brew Toon - St Clement's Radler
Fierce Beer - Cerveza 0.5
Fierce Beer - Ocean Drive
Jump Ship Brewing - Stoker's Stout
Jump Ship Brewing - Red Admiral Rye IPA
Jump Ship Brewing - Shore Leave Chuckleberry Sour
Tennent Caledonian Breweries - Tennents Zero
Twisted Ankle Brewing Company - Game Changer
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Alien Form
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Joker AF
Best IPA
71 Brewing – Flight Path
Bellfield Brewery – Mega City IPA
Brew Toon – Loose Cannon
Cross Borders Brewing Company – IPA
Fierce Beer – Hop Property
Fierce Beer – Late Shift
Five Kingdoms Brewery – Captain Morrisons IPA
Loch Lomond Brewery – Bravehop
six°north – 10th Anniversary Hazy IPA
Stewart Brewing – Icy Trees of Green
Stewart Brewing – New Relic
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Juice Tygrr
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Tin Man
Windswept Brewing Co – Tornado
Best Session Beer
71 Brewing – Hop Rockin Beats
71 Brewing - Light Wave
Bellfield Brewery - Wild Shore Saison
Brew Toon - MAYDAY!
Campervan Brewery - Leith Juice
Cromarty Brewing Co – Whiteout
Cullach Brewing – Tayside IPA
Fierce Beer – Citrus Punch
Fierce Beer - Fierce IPA
Fierce Beer - Fierce X Brewgooder : White IPA
Five Kingdoms Brewery - Summerisle Session
Loch Lomond Brewery – Lost in Mosaic
Loch Lomond Brewery - Zoom Time
Moonwake Beer Co. – Kölsch
Moonwake Beer Co. – Pale Ale
Moonwake Beer Co. - Weissbier
Moonwake Beer Co. - XPA
six°north - 10th Anniversary Wheat Beer
six°north – Omnium
six°north – Wanderlust
St.Andrews Brewpub Company – Session IPA
Stewart Brewing - Citra Blonde
Stewart Brewing - Dawn Rising
Stewart Brewing – Session IPA
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Birds & Bees
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Che Guava
Windswept Brewing Co - Weizen
Best British Style Ale
71 Brewing – Heavy Lifting
71 Brewing – Scotch Pie
Belhaven Brewery – Belhaven Scottish Ale
Fierce Beer – Dark Mild
Fierce Beer – Scottish Export
Five Kingdoms Brewery – Prentice
Harviestoun Brewery – Bitter and Twisted
Loch Lomond Brewery – Bonnie and Blonde
St.Andrews Brewpub Company – Tom Morris Scotch Ale
Stewart Brewing – 80/-
Stewart Brewing – Edinburgh Gold
Stewart Brewing – St Giles
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Fraoch
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Joker IPA
Best Amber or Dark Ale
Bellfield Brewery – Daft Days Porter
Bellfield Brewery – Old Town Altbier
Brew Toon – The J’Ale
Cairngorm Brewery Company – Wildcat
Cullach Brewing – Reverb
Fierce Beer – Scottish Export
Five Kingdoms Brewery – McGregors Mild
Stewart Brewing – 80/-
Windswept Brewing Co – Wolf
Winton Brewery – Och Aye
Best Porter or Stout
Cairngorm Brewery Company – Darkness
Fierce Beer – Café Racer
Fierce Beer – Moose Mousse
Fierce Beer – Tiramisu Stout
Harviestoun Brewery – Old Engine Oil
Loch Lomond Brewery – Silkie Stout
Moonwake Beer Co. – Dry-Hopped Stout
Moonwake Beer Co. – Milk Stout
Stewart Brewing – Cherry on Top
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Chokka Blokka
Williams Bros Brewing Co – March of the Penguins
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Midnight Sun
Best Strong Beer (above 6.5%)
71 Brewing - Subtlety In Art
71 Brewing - It's all gone Pete Tonka
71 Brewing - Outer Galactic
Belhaven Brewery - Belhaven Wee Heavy
Bellfield Brewery - Totally Wired Stout
Brew Toon - Caked in Stout
Brookfield Drinks - Kestrel Super Premium Lager
Cullach Brewing - Dubh
Fierce Beer - Berry Big Moose
Fierce Beer - Very Big Chomp
Five Kingdoms Brewery - Dark Storm
Loch Lomond Brewery - Lost monster
Orkney Brewery - Skull Splitter
six°north - 10th Anniversary Honey Tripel
six°north - 10th Anniversary Imperial Stout
Stewart Brewing - Clara Rosa
Stewart Brewing - Cocoa-Nut
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Alba
Best Sour Beer
71 Brewing - Strawberry Crush
71 Brewing - Blackcurrant Apple Crumble
Barney's Beer - Post Mortem #3: Gooseberry
Barney's Beer - Rhvbarb
Brew Toon - Cherry Crush
Brew Toon - Glorious M'ango Basterds
Brew Toon - Imperial Limoncello
Campervan Brewery - Mimosa
Closet Brewing Project - More Berries Than Sense
Cold Town Beer - Raspberry Miami Weisse
Fierce Beer - Blood Of Nidhoggr
Fierce Beer - Cherry Cola Sour
Loch Lomond Brewery - Crack in the Clouds
six°north - Framboise
Stewart Brewing - Gooseberry and Elderflower Sour; Kettle Sour
Up Front Brewing - DAS IST TECHNO SEX
Windswept Brewing Co - Summit Sour
Winton Brewery - Oh Ya Can't (make a cherry sour this guid)
Best Fruit Forward Beer
71 Brewing – Peach Halo
Brew Toon – M’ango Pulp Fiction
Brew Toon – M’ango Unchained
Cold Town Beer – Pornstar Martini Ale
Fierce Beer – Fierce Berry
Fierce Beer – Fierce Rhubarb
Fierce Beer – Tropical Thunder
Fierce Beer -Cerveza
Stewart Brewing – Cocoa-Nut
Stewart Brewing – Island Getaway
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Otis
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Roisin
Best Barrel Aged Beer
Barney’s Beer – Post Mortem #6: Bourbon
Fierce Beer – 2023 Reserve Bourbon Barrel-Aged Edition
Fierce Beer – BA Imperial Café Racer
Fierce Beer – Very Big Moose: 2022 Edition
Five Kingdoms Brewery – Heart of Darkness
Five Kingdoms Brewery – The Rum Diary
Harviestoun Brewery – Ola Dubh 12 year old
Harviestoun Brewery – Ola Dubh 16 year old
Harviestoun Brewery – Ola Dubh 18 year old
Loch Lomond Brewery – Long Road Home
six°north – 10th Anniversary BA Quad
Stewart Brewing – Bonnie Belgian
Tennent Caledonian Breweries – Tennents Whisky Oak
Up Front Brewing – Call Of The Wild
Best Juicy or Hazy Beer
71 Brewing - Haze Halo
71 Brewing - Luminous Nights
71 Brewing - Rollin' Coaster
Brew Toon - Juicy Belter
Closet Brewing Project - Lost In The Sauce
Cold Town Beer - Cold Town New England IPA
Cross Borders Brewing Company - Braw
Durty Brewing - Edge of the World
Fierce Beer - Fierce Hazy
Fierce Beer - Passion For Haze
Fierce Beer - Weegie Juice
Loch Lomond Brewery - Only Happy when it Rains
Moonwake Beer Co. - Breakfast IPA
Moonwake Beer Co. - Solero Pale
Moonwake Beer Co. - XPA
Stewart Brewing - Clara Rosa
Stewart Brewing - Skeleton Blues
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Juicy Joker
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Six States
Windswept Brewing Co - Coastal Haze
Best Double or Triple IPA
71 Brewing - Fuzz Buster
71 Brewing - Juice Joos
Brew Toon - Very Loose Cannon
Fierce Beer - Hop Property
Five Kingdoms Brewery - The Great Escape
Williams Bros Brewing Co -Double Joker IPA
Best Speciality
71 Brewing - Aztec Camera
71 Brewing - Life in motion
Brew Toon - Out of the Woods
Cairngorm Brewery Company - Loch Ness Speciality Pale Ale
Fierce Beer - Bananas Foster
Fierce Beer - Morning Coffee
Fierce Beer - Vanilla Doughnut
Five Kingdoms Brewery - Goddam Jimmie
Loch Lomond Brewery - Painting Shaddows
six°north - 10th Anniversary Saison
six°north - HopClassic
Stewart Brewing - Cocoa-Nut
Stewart Brewing - First World Problems
Stewart Brewing - Thiol Be Back
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Ginger
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Grapefruit Ginger
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Orange Ginger
Windswept Brewing Co - Indian Summer