The 11th annual competition of Scotland’s leading national awards programme for brewing — the Scottish Beer Awards — is now officially open for entries. Marking over a decade of celebrating the innovation, quality, and talent that define Scotland’s vibrant brewing industry, the awards once again invite breweries from across the country to showcase their very best beers.
Widely recognised as the largest beer competition in Scotland, the Scottish Beer Awards returns bigger and better than ever — ready to shine a spotlight on the outstanding craft, creativity, and business success across the sector. Each year, the awards attract more than 300 beers from around 35 breweries and brewing businesses, reflecting the depth and diversity of Scotland’s thriving brewing community.
Central to the awards’ reputation is its rigorous and independent judging process, designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity at every stage. Three beers in each taste category are awarded medals — Gold, Silver, and Bronze — making these accolades among the most respected in the UK brewing scene.
The judging process is proudly free from commercial influence and is independently chaired, with an expert panel carrying out blind tastings across all categories to identify the very best beers being produced in Scotland today.
The awards will once again take place alongside the Beer Matters Conference, a full-day gathering of brewers, suppliers, and industry leaders dedicated to business development, knowledge exchange, and networking. The conference will be followed by the Scottish Beer Awards dinner, where the winners will be revealed and the achievements of the industry celebrated.
Both events will be hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central, making it a landmark day for Scotland’s brewing community.
Key Dates for 2026
Entry Deadline for Written and Taste Judging: Thursday 21 May 2026
Finalists Revealed: September 2026
Beer Matters Conference & Scottish Beer Awards Dinner
Tuesday 6th October 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central
For full details on the 2026 competition — including category line-up, entry guides, and terms and conditions — please visit the Scottish Beer Awards website.
For sponsorship opportunities and ways to get involved, please contact john@kdmedia.co.uk
Join us as we celebrate over a decade of excellence, innovation, and achievement in Scottish brewing.
2026 Taste Categories:
Best British-Style Ale
Best Fruit or Spiced Beer
Best IPA
Best Juicy or Hazy Beer
Best Lager
Best Low Alcohol Beer (0.6% to 3.4% abv)
Best No Alcohol Beer (0.5% abv and under)
Best Pale Ale
Best Pilsner
Best Porter or Stout
Best Session Beer (3.5% to 5.4% abv)
Best Sour Beer
Best Strong Beer (Above 6,5% abv)
2026 Business Categories:
Scottish Brewery of the Year, sponsored by BarthHass
Scottish Small Brewery of the Year
Product Development Team of the Year
Best Beer Destination
Excellence in Branding