Almost 300 Scottish beers submitted for tasting in competition
THE finalists in the third annual Scottish Beer Awards have been announced after almost 300 brews and 84 businesses were entered for consideration.
The awards, sponsored by supermarket chain Aldi, which encompass both taste and company performance, will be held in Edinburgh Corn Exchange on September 27.
From the initial entries, 36 breweries and 192 beers have progressed to the finals.
Judges have shortlisted 16 of Edinburgh-based Stewart Brewing’s beers for awards in the taste categories. Brewdog, Innis & Gunn and Tempest Brewing Co are also in the running with 12 brews each.
Black Isle-based Cromarty Brewing and Aberdeen’s Fierce Beer both have ten beers in the finals.
The night’s top award, Scottish Brewery of the Year, will be contested by Eden Mill, Edinburgh Beer Factory, Fierce Beer, Stewart Brewing and Innis & Gunn.
The finalists clearly demonstrate the strength and potential of the industry in Scotland.
A total of 296 beers were entered in the taste section of the awards and were judged by 25 experts, led by sensory management consultancy firm, Cara Technology.
The business performance section of the awards programme, which assessed marketing, innovation and product development, was selected after a debate chaired by former Scottish & Newcastle technical and quality director, Hilary Jones.
She said: “Due to the surge in the volume and range of beers entered this year, just over half of the entered beers have progressed to this stage.
“The beers which have made it to the final had to achieve a high standard of marks in the rigorous tasting session, all of which was conducted blind.
“The finalists we have selected in the business awards clearly demonstrate the strength and potential of the brewing industry in Scotland.”
