Grain and Ampersand named champions of the Indie Beer Awards East 2026
- Guild Secretary
- 14 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Grain Brewery and Ampersand Brew Co took home the top two awards at the Indie Beer Awards East, which took place on Tuesday (25 August 2026) at the CAMRA Peterborough Beer Festival.
It was the multi-award winning Grain Brewery’s Lignum Vitae, a 6.5% India Pale Ale that wowed the judges in the cask beer awards. Described by the brewery as being “light on the palate and bursting with juicy and tropical fruit hop flavours.”
Phil Halls from Grain Brewery was ecstatic about the win. He commented “This is the 20th year of Grain Brewery and to know we can still brew champion beers with so many top quality independent breweries in the region is fantastic news. A massive well done to all of the team at Grain.”
In the separate keg beer awards, it was Ampersand Brew Co’s Hypothesis, a 10% Imperial Barrel Aged Stout which took home the Gold. The beer focuses on roasted and chocolate flavours that it balances with a spicy bitterness which the brewery describes as a “moreish stout that we keep coming back to.”
Andy Hipwell, Co-owner of Ampersand Brew Co said: “Winning this prestigious award is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the hard work, dedication and love that our small team puts into every beer we make.
“This is a special beer to us as it was one of the first commercial beers Amy and I made over nine years ago. It is great to see it competing with the best and we can't wait to take it to the Nationals next year. It was also fantastic to see our neighbours Grain scoop the top cask award meaning a double win for the Waveney Valley.”
The awards, which were presented at the Peterborough Beer Festival, are judged by beer sommeliers, master brewers and other expert beer judges from across the industry. Organised by the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA).
Members of the public will get a chance to taste the best beers in the East at the Peterborough Beer Festival which continues until Saturday.
Indie Beer Awards East – Full Results: Click here
Notes to Editors
To view images of the judging and awards presentation click here
Photo Caption: "SIBA Chairman Anthony Hughes (centre) presents awards to Phil Halls (right) from Grain Brewery and Ellie Folkard (left) from Ampersand Brew Co
SIBA, Fishergreen, Ripon, HG4 1NL, UK
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