In a competition that showed the huge diversity of beer styles now being brewed in Scotland it was Orkney Brewery and Fyne Ales’ Origins Project that were recently named ‘Best of the Best’ at the SIBA Scotland Independent Beer Awards held at Indie Beer Scotland 2024.
Orkney Brewery’s Dark Island Reserve, a 10% whisky-barrel-aged porter wowed judges in the cask beer competition, taking home the Overall Gold after winning the Cask Speciality Dark Beers Category. The beer has big bold flavours of fruit, spice, oak and roast malt flavours, alongside a subtle whisky finish.
Craig Steven, Orkney Brewery, was on hand to collect the award on behalf of his team “It’s a great opportunity to come down here to the SIBA Awards; all our beer is brewed on the island and it comes down here to be up against all these great Scottish breweries, so to win the overall champion cask beer is just a tremendous achievement and testament to what we’ve been doing for the last 30 years.”
In the separate Keg Beer Awards it was ‘Pinc’ from Fyne Ales ‘Origins Project’ – the name for their mixed-fermentation and sour beer project – which was named the Overall Gold winner. The Belgian saison-style base beer is aged on a mixture of grape pomace (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir), raspberries, apple juice and gooseberries to create an aromatic, fruity and subtly acidic beer inspired by rosé wine. It won the competition’s Keg Sour & Wild Ale category before going home to take Gold in tghe Overall judging round.
Jamie Delap, Fyne Ales, was full of praise for his team, “Absolutely delighted to win, coming down to Indie Beer is such a great chance to meet everyone from the industry and see the best of what Scottish beer has to offer. There are some fantastic beers here so to come out and win is just really appreciated.”
The beer itself is the first from Fyne Ales Origins Project’s new Head Brewer Dan Wye to be entered into a SIBA competition, “Dan has been doing a fantastic job and I’m really delighted for him to see one of his beers recognised by the judging table first try.” Jamie added.
The awards, which judge beers from across Scotland in two separate cask and keg judging sessions, take place ahead of Indie Beer Scotland – the country’s biggest independent craft beer festival.
The SIBA Scotland Independent Beer Awards are blind-tasted by expert beer judges, beer sommeliers, and master brewers from elsewhere in the UK, with the winners of each beer-style category going through to a final judging table where the overall Champion Gold, Silver and Bronze are selected.
“The quality of entries this year was truly outstanding and attendees to this year’s festival really were treated with the best that Scottish independent brewing has to offer. Huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and particularly Orkney and Fyne Ales who were our Overall Gold Champions.” Neil Walker, SIBA Head of Comms and presenter of this year’s award in Glasgow.
Indie Beer Scotland and the SIBA Scotland Independent Beer Awards were organised by brewers from the not for profit trade association ‘The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates’, the full list of award-winning breweries can be viewed below.
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Full winners list: Click here
Awards photos: Click here
Photo caption: “SIBA present the overall Golds to Orkney Brewery and Fyne Ales Origins Project”
For all inquiries, please contact us at: neil.walker@siba.co.uk
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