New Forest family brewery wins Silver at the “Oscars of Brewing” for world’s first Fine English Sparkling Beer

Chorus, the Original Fine English Sparkling Beer, has been awarded a Silver Medal in the Strong Beer category at the International Brewing & Cider Awards 2026 – the world’s oldest and most prestigious brewing competition, often called the “Oscars of Brewing.”

The award was announced on Friday 6 March at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, following three days of intensive judging by a panel of 43 internationally practising commercial brewers. 115 medals were awarded from entries spanning dozens of countries, making this a peer-reviewed global recognition of quality and commercial excellence.

Chorus is brewed in Brockenhurst, in the heart of the New Forest, by the Baynham family – founders of PIG BEER Brewery. At 12% ABV, it brings the refinement of Champagne to beer: bright orchard fruit leads, rounded by a delicate biscuity finish and lifted with fine bubbles. Brewed with Chardonnay yeast and a blend of light malts, fermented for longer to create smooth, subtle flavours, and served chilled in flutes.

Tom Baynham, founder of Chorus, said: “Winning a Silver Medal at the International Brewing Awards is an incredible validation for what we’ve created. This competition is judged by fellow professional brewers – people who understand the craft and the ambition behind what we’re doing. Chorus is the first of its kind, and to have it recognised at this level gives us real confidence that we’ve created something special.”

Chorus is available now in 750ml bottles at chorusbeer.com. It is vegan and certified gluten free, tested by a UKAS-accredited laboratory, and proudly brewed at an independent family-run brewery.

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Notes to Editors:

•        High-resolution product photography, founder images, and medal artwork available on request.

•        Press samples available for review. Contact: hello@chorusbeer.com

•        Full list of 2026 IBA medal winners: brewingawards.org

•        About the International Brewing & Cider Awards: First held in 1886, the oldest international brewing competition in the world. Judged exclusively by commercially practising brewers. 9 broad categories, 36 classes. Medals are notoriously difficult to win.

Boilerplate: Chorus is the Original Fine English Sparkling Beer – crafted in the New Forest by the Baynham family, founders of PIG BEER Brewery. Bringing the refinement of Champagne to beer, Chorus balances bright orchard fruit flavours with fine bubbles and a delicate biscuity finish. Available in 750ml bottles at 12% ABV, it offers a refreshingly new way to celebrate. Chorus is vegan and certified gluten free, tested by a UKAS-accredited laboratory, and proudly brewed at an independent family-run brewery. Learn more at chorusbeer.com.

Contact: tom@chorusbeer.com

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