BBPA Awards 2013: Winners revealed at Annual Dinner

The winners of the second British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) industry awards were announced at the organisation’s Annual Dinner which took place at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.

The awards, presented buy John Sargeant, recognise exceptional company and individual contributions to the brewing and pub sector in 2013. They included a special Chairman’s Award for Sajid Javid MP; for his work towards the first cut in the beer duty escalator since the 1950s.

The BBPA's chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “It has been a momentous year for the beer and pub industry, and a tough one for our judges. I want to thank all our entries, which have doubled in number this year. I am absolutely delighted for them all, and especially pleased that the work of the Government, in its historic decision to cut the tax burden for this great British product, has been rightly recognised with the award for Sajid Javid.”

The winners: -

  • Heart of the Community award: Carlsberg UK
  • Beer Champion 2013: Frederic Robinson
  • Pub Champion 2013: Everards
  • Chairman’s Award: Sajid Javid MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury

Heart of the Community

Winner – Carlsberg UK 

Through an ambitious social responsibility programme, ‘Engage with Society’, Carlsberg has looked at all aspects of their work. Through environmental, safety, charity and backing local businesses, they have already demonstrated real success. The judges recognised that cultural change in a large operation is hard and that this programme is set to continue until 2020.

(Highly commended – Timothy Taylor) 

Beer Champion 2013

Winner - Frederic Robinson

This category winner had something all the judges were incredibly impressed by – a true dedication to beer and brewing. With investment in their brewing operations, accompanied by a £2 million visitor and educational centre, the judges were extremely impressed. Added to this was Frederic Robinson’s desire to attract new customers to beer, with brews designed for food matching and a beer brewed jointly with none other than Iron Maiden that has taken the world by storm. For all their efforts to invest, educate and change perceptions, they are worthy winners.

(Highly commended - Marston’s)

Pub Champion 2013

Winners - Everards

The judges felt that this company did something really special. It took on the challenge of not only reopening closed pubs, but also supporting emerging small brewers to develop and expand. It is a company dedicated to pubs far beyond its own brand and invests in pub people at every opportunity.

(Highly commended - Star Pubs & Bars)

Chairman’s Award

Winner – Sajid Javid MP

As a new minister for the industry, Sajid Javid has proved engaged and insightful, keen to listen to the sector’s economic case. He has been there to back us for growth, for championing pubs and communities. He has made the case to the Chancellor for the first cut in beer duty since the 1950s.

The BBPA Annual Dinner brought together business leaders in the brewing and pub sector, key industry stakeholders and Parliamentarians and other important opinion formers in the media and beyond.