Scotland’s craft brewing scene has emerged as a force in the United Kingdom. Last Thursday night The Scottish Beer Awards honored their own and here’s what went down…

Last week the UK brewing industry gathered in Edinburgh to celebrate Scotland’s best brewers and beers.

296 Scottish beers were entered their beers into the blind tasting this year, a judging process which has began in February. And unlike America’s recent GABF competitions, medals at the Scottish Beer Awards were presented for both business performance as well as for taste.

Citing a phenomenal year of growth in turnover, exports and product development, Edinburgh’s Stewart Brewing took the biggest award of the evening being named Scottish Brewery of the Year. They also walked away with awards for Growth Business of the Year and two medals for their Corpse Reviver and Cascadian beers.

Other highlight included…

Aberdeen-based Fierce Beer was victorious in the hotly contested taste awards, winning a total of four gold medals and one silver medal.

Last year’s champion’s BrewDog, controversial as ever, proved to be players again in 2018, winning a total of six medals in the IPA, Barrel Aged, Stout, and Amplified Beers categories.

Edinburgh Brewing Factory was named Breakthrough Brewery of the year. The Excellence in Marketing award went to Innis & Gunn.

The all-important Beer of the Year medal was awarded to Dunbar, Scotland’s  Belhaven Brewery  for its Twisted Grapefruit IPA.

Master Brewer of the Year was Scott Williams, from Williams Brothers Brewing. And Emerging Brewer of the Year, a new category this year which honors passion and commitment to the sector, was presented to Jonathan Robinson of Innis & Gun…

Hillary Jones who chaired this year’s judging panel, clearly felt that this year’s Scottish Beer Awards was one for the books…

“With a proven record of inclusivity and collaboration across the whole sector, these awards are truly representative of an exciting industry making first class products. To see so many breweries, both large and small, triumph this evening is hugely encouraging and a sign of the growing success of Scottish companies in the world of brewing.”

And Graham Nicolson from ALDI Scotland, who helped sponsor this year’s event, was just as excited…

“We’re hugely proud to have been headline sponsors of the Scottish Beer Awards since 2016 and privileged to work with so many of the breweries recognized at the awards this evening. The popularity of Scottish beer continues to grow, and we are pleased to be a part of such an exciting time for the Scottish brewing sector.”

And be sure to check out the complete listing of this year’s Scottish Beer Awards winners.