The 8th annual Scottish Beer Awards, proudly sponsored by Aldi, has revealed the best beers in Scotland at an industry event held in Glasgow last night.
The national awards programme celebrated Scotland’s much loved brewing industry and welcomed 300 guests from brewing businesses to recognise the achievements of the industry.
A total of 48 medals were awarded after results in the country’s largest live blind tasting event were revealed.
30 expert judges from the UK brewing industry tasted and sampled over 300 beers in 16 beer categories. They marked quality, appearance, and flavour without any prior knowledge on the names of brewers, branding or labels. Only the beer type was known.
Edinburgh-based Bellfield Brewing claimed the ultimate award of the night, Scottish Brewery of the Year, sponsored by Aldi. The brewery showed significant growth in its business, thanks to a new product range and the increasing popularity of its Abbeyhill Taproom. Their commitment to quality also showed with Bellfield winning gold win in the 'Best Amber or Dark' category for their Old Town Altbier.
Hilary Jones, chair of the judging panel commented:
“The Scottish Beer Awards, now in their eighth year, support the industry's continuous expansion by providing a stage for both emerging and established brewers. The competition in 2023 showcases the finest products created right here in Scotland while also honouring some outstanding commercial accomplishments made in the sector.
“The Scottish Beer Awards are a much-anticipated event that are scheduled into the Scottish brewing year. I want to congratulate every one of the competition's winners and finalists on behalf of the judging panel.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, ALDI Scotland, said:
“As part of our ongoing commitment to Scottish brewing, we were delighted to be headline sponsor of the Scottish Beer Awards. The 8th Annual Scottish Beer Awards not only celebrated winners but also highlighted the artistry and passion behind each brewery. This spirited gathering paid homage to the driving force that continues to elevate the craft beer industry.
Congratulations to all the winners! We look forward to seeing their locally brewed beers widely available and toast to their continued success.”
Leith based Campervan Brewery also scored a victory on the night, earning the title of Scottish Small Brewery of the Year, sponsored by Stainless Steel Vessels. A double celebration as they also clinched two medals, including a Gold Medal for their ‘Northern Switch’ beer in which came out top in the Pale Ale category.
However, it was the Aberdeen based brewery, Fierce Beer, that triumphed in the taste competition for another year securing a remarkable eight medals, three of which were gold, four silver and one bronze.
View Full List of Winners:
Business Categories:
SCOTTISH BREWERY OF THE YEAR sponsored by Aldi
Winner: Bellfield Brewery
Finalists:
71 Brewing
Cold Town
Fierce Beer
Loch Lomond
Williams Bros Brewing
SCOTTISH SMALL BREWERY OF THE YEAR sponsored by Stainless Steel Vessels Limited
Winner: Campervan Brewery
Finalists:
Barney's Beer
Brewtoon
Five Kingdoms
Moonwake Beer Co.
six°north
BREAKTHROUGH BREWERY OF THE YEAR
Winner: Twisted Ankle Brewing Company
BEST BEER DESTINATION sponsored by Close Brothers
Winner: Moonwake Beer Co.
Finalists:
Belhaven Brewery
Bellfield Brewery
Cold Town House
Fierce Beer
Keller Taproom & Brewery
Shilling Brewing Company
six°north - The Marine Hotel
Stewart Brewing
The Raven
The Station Yard
EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING sponsored by Rankin Bros
Winner: Cold Town Beer
Finalists:
Fierce Beer
Jump Ship Brewing
Moonwake Beer Co.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TEAM sponsored by Kegstar
Winner: Cold Town Beer
Finalists:
Barney's Beer
Bellfield Brewery
Fierce Beer
six°north
Stewart Brewing
Williams Bros Brewing Co
Taste Categories:
BEST LOW OR NO ALCOHOL
The Gold Medal WINNER: Williams Bros Brewing Co - Joker AF
The Silver Medal WINNER: Twisted Ankle Brewing Company - Game Changer
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Brew Toon - Misty Lemon Radler
Finalists:
Barney's Beer - Faux: Lime
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
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Alien Form
BEST AMBER OR DARK ALE
The Gold Medal WINNER: Bellfield Brewery - Old Town Altbier
The Silver Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Scottish Export
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Winton Brewery - Och Aye
Finalists:
Bellfield Brewery – Daft Days Porter
Brew Toon – The J’Ale
Cairngorm Brewery Company – Wildcat
Cullach Brewing – Reverb
Five Kingdoms Brewery – McGregors Mild
Stewart Brewing – 80/-
Windswept Brewing Co – Wolf
BEST BRITISH STYLE ALE
The Gold Medal WINNER: Williams Bros Brewing Co - Joker IPA
The Silver Medal WINNER: Belhaven Brewery - Belhaven Scottish Ale
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Dark Mild
Finalists:
71 Brewing – Heavy Lifting
71 Brewing – Scotch Pie
Fierce Beer – Scottish Export
Five Kingdoms Brewery – Prentice
Harviestoun Brewery – Bitter and Twisted
Loch Lomond Brewery – Bonnie and Blonde
St.Andrews Brewing Company – Tom Morris Scotch Ale
Stewart Brewing – 80/-
Stewart Brewing – Edinburgh Gold
Stewart Brewing – St Giles
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Fraoch
BEST STOUT OR PORTER
The Gold Medal WINNER: Loch Lomond Brewery - Silkie Stout
The Silver Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Moose Mousse
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Moonwake Beer Co. - Dry-Hopped Stout
Finalists:
Cairngorm Brewery Company – Darkness
Fierce Beer – Café Racer
Fierce Beer – Tiramisu Stout
Harviestoun Brewery – Old Engine Oil
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 SPECIALITY
The Gold Medal WINNER: Williams Bros Brewing Co - Orange Ginger
The Silver Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Morning Coffee
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Brew Toon - Out of the Woods
Finalists:
71 Brewing - Aztec Camera
71 Brewing - Life in motion
Cairngorm Brewery Company - Loch Ness Speciality Pale Ale
Fierce Beer - Bananas Foster
Fierce Beer - Vanilla Doughnut
Five Kingdoms Brewery - Goddam Jimmie
Loch Lomond Brewery - Painting Shadows
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
Windswept Brewing Co - Indian Summer
BEST STRONG BEER
The Gold Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Very Big Chomp
The Silver Medal WINNER: Brookfield Drinks - Kestrel Super Premium Lager
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Loch Lomond Brewery - Lost Monster
Finalists:
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
Cullach Brewing - Dubh
Fierce Beer - Berry Big Moose
Five Kingdoms Brewery - Dark Storm
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 SESSION sponsored by Konvoy
The Gold Medal WINNER: Windswept Brewing Co - Weizen
The Silver Medal WINNER: 71 Brewing - Hop Rockin Beats
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Bellfield Brewery - Wild Shore Saison
Finalists:
71 Brewing - Light Wave
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 Brewing 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
BEST SOUR sponsored by In-Drinks
The Gold Medal WINNER: 71 Brewing - Strawberry Crush
The Silver Medal WINNER: Brew Toon - Cherry Crush
The Bronze Medal WINNER: 71 Brewing - Blackcurrant Apple Crumble
Finalists:
Barney's Beer - Post Mortem #3: Gooseberry
Barney's Beer - Rhvbarb
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
The Gold Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Fierce Berry
The Silver Medal WINNER: Williams Bros Brewing Co - Otis
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Cold Town Beer - Pornstar Martini Ale
Finalists:
71 Brewing – Peach Halo
Brew Toon – M’ango Pulp Fiction
Brew Toon – M’ango Unchained
Fierce Beer – Fierce Rhubarb
Fierce Beer – Tropical Thunder
Fierce Beer -Cerveza
Stewart Brewing – Cocoa-Nut
Stewart Brewing – Island Getaway
Williams Bros Brewing Co – Roisin
BEST BARREL AGED
The Gold Medal WINNER: Barney's Beer - Post Mortem #6: Bourbon
The Silver Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Very Big Moose: 2022 Edition
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Up Front Brewing - Call of The Wild
Finalists:
Fierce Beer – 2023 Reserve Bourbon Barrel-Aged Edition
Fierce Beer – BA Imperial Café Racer
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
BEST JUICY OR HAZY
The Gold Medal WINNER: Brew Toon - Juicy Belter
The Silver Medal WINNER: Stewart Brewing - Clara Rosa
The Bronze Medal WINNER: 71 Brewing - Rollin' Coaster
Finalists:
71 Brewing - Haze Halo
71 Brewing - Luminous Nights
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 - Skeleton Blues
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Juicy Joker
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Six States
Windswept Brewing Co - Coastal Haze
BEST PALE ALE
The Gold Medal WINNER: Campervan Brewery - Northern Switch (Blackjack Brewery Collab)
The Silver Medal WINNER: 71 Brewing - Cloud Fall
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Cairngorm Brewery Company - Loch Ness Hoppynes
Finalists:
71 Brewing - Hula Hula
Bellfield Brewery - Wild Shore Saison
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 Brewing Company - Pale Ale
Stewart Brewing - Holyrood
Stewart Brewing - Ka Pai
Stewart Brewing - Masterplan
Winton Brewery - Barryswally
Winton Brewery – Peelywally
BEST IPA sponsored by Avani Solutions
The Gold Medal WINNER: Loch Lomond Brewery - Bravehop
The Silver Medal WINNER: 71 Brewing - Flight Path
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Five Kingdoms Brewery - Captain Morrisons IPA
Finalists:
Bellfield Brewery – Mega City IPA
Brew Toon – Loose Cannon
Cross Borders Brewing Company – IPA
Fierce Beer – Hop Property
Fierce Beer – Late Shift
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 DOUBLE OR TRIPLE IPA
The Gold Medal WINNER: Fierce Beer - Hop Property
The Silver Medal WINNER: Five Kingdoms Brewery - The Great Escape
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Williams Bros Brewing Co - Double Joker IPA
Finalists:
71 Brewing - Fuzz Buster
71 Brewing - Juice Joos
Brew Toon - Very Loose Cannon
BEST PILSNER
The Gold Medal WINNER: Five Kingdoms Brewery - Renton
The Silver Medal WINNER: Campervan Brewery - Leith Pils
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Barney's Beer - Stone's Throw
Finalists:
71 Brewing - 71 Lager
Bellfield Brewery - Bohemian Pilsner
Bellfield Brewery - Three Rivers Pils
Brew Toon - Pineapple Pils
Loch Lomond Brewery - Helles Glen
Williams Bros Brewing Co - Chillax
Williams Bros Brewing Co - El Perro Negro
Windswept Brewing Co – Halo
BEST LAGER sponsored by Thompson Hunter
The Gold Medal WINNER: Brew Toon - Weekend Hooker
The Silver Medal WINNER: Bellfield Brewery - Craft Lager
The Bronze Medal WINNER: Winton Brewery - Taps Aff
Finalists:
Bellfield Brewery - Radical Shift IPL
Bellfield Brewery - Vienna Secession Lager
Brew Toon – FreshMex Lime Lager
Brew Toon - Torr Lager
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 Brewing 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