The SIBA Business Awards 2021 will now include two new categories for the extraordinary resilience shown by the beer and brewing industry in the face of Covid lockdown and social distancing measures.
The new categories for Covid Brewery Initiative and Covid Supplier Initiative seek to highlight those businesses making the best of a very tough situation for independent breweries, pubs, bars and bottle shops, and the communities they support.
The SIBA Business Awards 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 eco-friendly, innovative or successful, as well as naming the UK’s best bars, restaurants and retailers of craft beer from independent breweries. The award for UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Taproom will also return in 2021 following its introduction last year.
“2020 has been an incredibly tough year for independent breweries but what has been hugely impressive has been the ability of businesses to adapt and overcome the pressures of Covid, and the many obstacles that have been thrown at them. We are acknowledging this changing environment with the introduction of two new categories specifically relating to Coronavirus, but I equally look forward to seeing the entries across our other categories as lots of amazing work has flown under the radar this year. The independent brewing industry may be under attack on many fronts, but so many breweries are proving they can meet any challenge put in their way, and these awards seek to highlight and reward those businesses.” Neil Walker, SIBA Business Awards Chair of Judges.
The SIBA Business Awards are unique in being both free to enter and judged by a panel of independent beer industry experts, managed by not-for-profit trade association the Society of Independent Brewers. The craft beer retailing, restaurant and bar categories highlight the fantastic work being done to promote British independent craft beer, and are open for entry by businesses across the UK.
To find out more or to enter the awards visit www.siba.co.uk/business-
SIBA Business Awards 2021
Award Categories
Covid Brewery Initiative Award
Covid Supplier Initiative Award
Marketing Implementation
Green Business
Best Individual Design
Best Concept Design
Business Innovation
Commercial Achievement
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Multiple
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Single
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Restaurant
UK’s Best Independent Craft Brewery Taproom
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – City
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – Rural
Supplier Associate of the year (Brewer nominated)
SIBA Brewery Business of the Year (Judge awarded)
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- Addition of ‘Covid Brewery Initiative’ and ‘Covid Supplier Initiative’ categories
- Amendment of Independent Craft Beer Retailer categories to exclude non independent businesses (e.g. supermarkets). Multiple retailer category also has a maximum number of outlets set at 10.
SIBA Business Awards 2021: Awards Category Criteria
Covid Brewery Initiative Award – NEW
Whether it is engaging with their local community in a meaningful and supportive way, or launching a new service or product which became a runaway success, this broad category is open to any brewery who has launched an initiative, service, or strategy which has proved a success during Covid.
This award seeks to highlight those businesses making the best of a very tough situation for independent breweries, pubs, bars and bottleshops, and the communities they support.
Covid Supplier Initiative Award – NEW
This award is for entry by SIBA Supplier Associate members who have shown a commitment to supporting the independent craft brewery customers they work with, developing new ways to engage with the wider brewing community, or shown an ability to adapt to tough trading conditions.
Whether it’s a new training and development initiative, or a scheme to support breweries who are struggling under Covid, this award is for supplier companies who have shown real commitment to supporting the independent craft brewing industry during Covid.
Marketing Implementation
For all aspects of effective marketing and communication strategy, including general or specific campaigns, promotions, PR, social media activity, product launches etc.
Entries must stand out from the crowd for marketing initiative, effective communication, a PR opportunity seized, or imagination and creativity deployed in the increasingly competitive virtual world of social networking.
Green Business
For taking the ethics of environmental awareness and responsible business operation way beyond the norm, with either a single innovative initiative or a holistic strategy for sustainability.
Entries must show how measures implemented in the brewery, such as production processes, energy economies, recycling and packaging, are minimising environmental impact to the benefit of both brewery and community.
Best Individual Design
For a single design of bottle, can or pump clip that clearly stands out, gains point-of-sale market advantage and ultimately drives the purchase of a brewery product.
Strong traditional designs are welcome, but entries are also sought for contemporary and original artwork that puts a brewery’s beers at the forefront of the evolution of point-of-sale as an essential marketing tool.
Multiple entries from a brewery are welcome, but should be entered separately and any entries which contain a range of designs within a ‘concept’ or ‘brand’ should be entered into the Total Concept Design Category below.
Best Concept Design
For the design concept behind a range of beers from a brewery, or a brewery’s entire branding and design strategy.
Entries must provide details of all aspects of the design concept and how it creates a distinct market identity, setting the brand apart in an intensely competitive field.
Business Innovation
For breweries that have shown true innovation in their business. This could be anything from a bold export operation getting beer in to the hands of new consumers or an internal innovation which has improved efficiency or profitability.
This broad category should be entered by any brewery who believe they have done something innovative within the industry.
Commercial Achievement
The commercial achievement award should be entered by breweries that have experienced commercial success in one or all areas of their business. Whether it is a brewery starting from scratch or an established brewer expanding their reach, the commercial achievement award aims to highlight the most business savvy from our industry.
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Multiple
For independent retailers selling beer from multiple locations. Entrants can be specialist craft beer shops, or businesses which have recently shown a commitment to promoting independent craft beer, but must be an independent business with fewer than 10 outlets.
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Single
For independent retailers selling beer from a single location. Entrants can be specialist craft beer shops, or businesses which have recently shown a commitment to promoting independent craft beer, but must be an independent business trading from a single location.
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – City
For pubs or bars which have shown an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers (including cask, keg, bottle or can). This award is specifically for pubs or bars located in urban, city, town centre, or suburban locations across the UK.
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – Rural
For pubs or bars which have shown an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers (including cask, keg, bottle or can). This award is specifically for pubs or bars located in rural, village, or isolated locations across the UK.
UK’s Best Independent Craft Brewery Taproom
For Taprooms which are located within, or in very close proximity to, working independent craft breweries.
Judges will be looking for an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers (including cask, keg, bottles or cans) in a welcoming and attractive environment.
This award is specifically for Brewery Taprooms and not for ‘Brewery Tap’ pubs or off-site ‘Taprooms’ not located within or near to the owner brewery. If you are a brewery with an off-site Taproom or Brewery Tap pub then you can enter this into the relevant Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub category.
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Restaurant
For restaurants, bistros and gastropubs whose primary business is food but who have shown an extraordinary commitment to serving the best quality and range of independent craft beers.
This award is for outlets throughout the UK.
Lifetime Achievement Award (SIBA awarded)
This award celebrates an individual who has, over the course of a number of years, made an outstanding contribution to SIBA, at either national or regional level, or to the UK brewing industry in general.
Candidates need not be members of SIBA and may be nominated by members & non-members alike.
Supplier Associate of the Year (Brewer awarded)
This award seeks to highlight the UK’s best SIBA Supplier Associate and is SIBA Brewing Member nominated.
From brewing ingredient suppliers and brewery fabricators, to business consultants and agencies, The Supplier Associate of the Year is a company which has shown a real understanding of brewery needs and actively supported independent craft brewing businesses throughout the year.
SIBA Brewery Business of the Year (Judge awarded)
No Criteria for this documented. It is the judges decision of what is the best from all of the entries they have received at the judging.
Press release from SIBA
For further information please email press@siba.co.uk