Scotland’s Fyne Ales named Brewery Business of the Year at SIBA Business Awards 2026

Winners in the SIBA Business Awards 2026 have today been revealed, highlighting the UK’s very best brewing businesses, pubs and retailers of independent beer – in what was a glittering night for the independent beer industry.

Fyne Ales Farm Brewery in the Scottish highlands beat competition from across the UK to take home the evening’s top award – being named Brewery Business of the Year 2026, after also winning the UK’s Best Independent Brewery Taproom and being Highly Commended in the Collaboration category for their partnership with the Co-Op.

Accepting the award with his brewing team was Fyne Ales Managing Director Jamie Delap;

“Just so delighted to win, these days you’ve got to brew fantastic beer, but you’ve also got to tell great stories. So to be recognised that my team are getting it so right I really appreciate - you’ve got to find really good people, let them do their thing and you’ve got trust your team – which we absolutely do at Fyne Ales.” Jamie Delap, Managing Director.    

Presenting the awards was Sunday Times columnist and beer author Pete Brown, who commented “With a massive 5 nominations, and multiple wins, this year’s Brewery Business of the Year Fyne Ales were a clear standout to the judging panel who were hugely impressed with this unique brewing business across the board. With some of the best beers currently being produced in the UK, in a broad range of styles, a destination taproom and a business which continues to go from strength to strength this years winner was a unanimous choice with the judging panel.”

Another big winner on the night was Howe Beer Project, who were named the UK's "Best new independent brewery" for their impressive impact since launching last year; “Opening in June 2025 Howe Beer Project have quickly established a community-driven and financially sustainable microbrewery and gathering space, producing top quality beers in an atmosphere that connects people with each other and with the brewing experience. At a time when too many shared spaces are closing Howe have created something to be treasured by their local community.” Pete Brown, Awards presenter.

The SIBA Business Awards 2026 took place at the BeerX trade show in Liverpool lastnight and seek to congratulate excellence in the brewing industry across a variety of categories, from pump clip, can and bottle design, to efforts taken by brewers to make their business more sustainable, diverse, innovative or successful, as well as naming the UK’s best pubs, bars and retailers of beer from independent breweries.

The judging panel for the prestigious SIBA Business Awards 2026 was hosted by Awards partner Napthens Solicitors, and consisted of Rachel Auty (Women on Tap CIC), Chris Welham (LTC), Phil Mellows (Journalist & Author), Tony Sophoclides (UKHospitality), Laura Mackie (SIBA Non-Exec Director), Neil Walker (SIBA HoC), and Andy Slee (SIBA CEO).

The awards were presented by Sunday Times columnist Pete Brown at the UK’s biggest beer and brewing event – BeerX UK in Liverpool, 18^th March 2026.

SIBA Business Awards 2026: Winners

UK’s Best Independent Beer Retailer

Pivovar (Winner)

UK’s Best Beer Bar or Pub – City

The Green Goddess, Blackheath (Winner) 

Old Grey Mare Inn (Highly Commended)

UK’s Best Beer Bar or Pub – City

Brewers 1841, Ossett (Winner)

UK’s Best Independent Brewery Webshop

Hackney Church Brew Co. (Winner)

Marketing Implementation

Indie Rabble (Winner) 

Charnwood (Highly Commended)

Community Engagement

Bristol Beer Factory (Winner)

Individual Design

Moonwake – Dolcita IPA (Winner)

Concept Design

Jennings (Winner)

Business Innovation

Three Brothers Brewing (Winner)

Commercial Achievement

Tap Social (Winner)

Employer of the Year

Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing (Winner)

Diversity Champion of the Year

Queer Brewing (Winner)

Best Collaboration

Full Circle x Greggs (Winner) 

Fyne Ales x Co-Op (Highly Commended)

UK’s Best Independent Brewery Taproom

Fyne Ales (Winner)

Sustainable Business

Fell Brewery (Winner) 

Muntons (Highly Commended)

UK’s Best New Independent Brewery

Howe Beer Project (Winner)

Independent Beer Champion of the YearJourdan Gabbini, Waitrose

Lifetime Achievement Award

Adrian Wood (Decd)

Supplier Associate of the Year

BREWW

Brewers’ Brewer of the Year

Fiona MacEachern

Brewery Business of the Year 2026

Fyne Ales

COPY ENDS 

Notes to Editors:

• The Official Category Criteria for each of the awards can be viewed here.

  
  

• Award winners, crowd reaction and event logo: can be accessed here