CAMRA wins big with latest publications

CAMRA’s latest beer and cider publications became award-winning last night at the prestigious British Guild of Beer Writers Awards, which recognises excellence in beer and cider writing.

Jonny Garrett’s A Year in Beer, published by CAMRA Book was named ‘Best Book About Beer or Pubs’ adding to its long list of accolades, including ‘Best Book’ by the British Guild of Food Writers, ‘Best Book on Beer’ by Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards, ‘Silver Award Best Book’ by the North American Beer Writers and ‘Silver Best Book’ by Ferment Magazine.

It was up against two other CAMRA titles competing for the Gold – Roger Protz’s World Beer Guide and Adrian Tierney-Jones’ United Kingdom of Beer.

Garrett, who is also a contributor to CAMRA’s World’s Greatest Beers and the forthcoming Good Beer Yearbook, went on to be named overall ‘Beer Writer of the Year’.

Garrett said: “I am absolutely blown away to win another award for A Year in Beer – I looked at that shortlist and thought I had no chance! It really feels like this book has taken on a life of its own, with people connecting to entirely different messages and chapters within it, which has been thrilling to see. Hopefully it can help more people make that joyous link between their favourite beers and the natural world around them.”

In addition to Garrett’s night of success, Andy Parker, author of CAMRA’s Essential Home Brewing won ‘Brewer of the Year’ for Elusive Brewing, David Jesudason, author of a forthcoming CAMRA title Desi Pubs, took home two awards for his work, and Laura Hadland, author of 50 Year of CAMRA was recognised for her work covering the low/no alcohol category.

This year’s awards also recognised excellence in cider writing for the very first time, with the gold going to Gabe Cook – author of CAMRA’s Modern British Cider – against some very stiff competition.

In addition to this long list of publication awards, CAMRA Communications was named a finalist in the ‘Corporate Beer Communications’ category for the production of its BEER magazine, What’s Brewing website, Pubs. Pints. People. Podcast and Learn & Discover platform. In addition, staffer Matthew Rogers took home the silver award for ‘Best Citizen Beer Communicator’ for his volunteer work running his local branch magazine, CAMRAngle.

CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona said: “Huge congratulations are in order for everyone involved in last night’s awards ceremony. At CAMRA we are privileged to work with the cream of the crop when it comes to the nation’s best beer, cider, pub and club writers, and it is fantastic to see so many CAMRA publications recognised this year. Our books aim to help people learn more about their favourite drinks and I think we can all raise a collective glass to the very talented writers and communicators we work with on these projects.”

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