SIBA Business Awards 2026 launch ‘Industry newcomer’ and ‘Beer Champion’ categories to highlight outstanding individuals from the industry
The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) have today launched the SIBA Business Awards 2026, including two new catgeories for ‘Brewing Industry Individual Newcomer of the Year’ and ‘Independent Beer Champion of the Year’.
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 sustainable, innovative or diverse, as well as naming the UK’s best pubs, bars and retailers of beer from independent breweries.
The Brewing Industry Individual Newcomer of the Year award recognises an individual who having joined the independent brewing industry in the last twelve months has made a significant and positive impact. This positive impact could be on the business, organisation or association they have joined or on the broader brewing industry over the last year.
The Independent Beer Champion of the Year award seeks to highlight the beer industry individual who has had a hugely positive influence on independent beer over the last twelve months. This could be an individual who has delivered positive change or opportunities for independent brewers, championed a new industry cause, helped to create a more inclusive or diverse industry, or helped to shine a light on the sector in an impactful or innovative way. Nominations can be made by anyone working in the independent beer industry, with the winner then voted for by SIBA Members.
The judging panel for the prestigious SIBA Business Awards is chaired by Neil Walker, SIBA’s Head of Comms and Marketing, who had this advice for businesses looking to enter this year’s awards;
“The SIBA Business Awards celebrate the very best of the British brewing industry and shine a light on all of the elements of running a successful business which go well beyond simply brewing great beer. As a judging panel we are looking for businesses who have gone beyond the norm and done something truly special, innovative or impactful. The two new categories seek to recognise individuals from the beer and brewing industry who are pushing us all towards an even brighter future for independent beer.”
The SIBA Business Awards 2026 are judged by a panel of industry experts and presented by Sunday Times columnist Pete Brown at the UK’s biggest beer and brewing event – BeerX UK in Liverpool, March 2026.
SIBA Business Awards 2026
- Marketing Implementation
- Sustainable Business
- Community Engagement
- Best Individual Design
- Best Concept Design
- Business Innovation
- Commercial Achievement
- Best Collaboration
- Diversity Champion of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Brewing Industry Individual Newcomer of the Year – NEW
- UK’s Best New Independent Brewery
- UK’s Best Independent Brewery Taproom
- UK’s Best Independent Brewery Webshop
- UK’s Best Independent Beer Retailer
- UK’s Best Independent Beer Bar or Pub – City
- UK’s Best Independent Beer Bar or Pub – Rural
- Brewers’ Brewer of the Year (Brewer nominated)
- Supplier Associate of the Year (Brewer nominated)
- Independent Beer Champion of the Year (Brewer nominated) – NEW
- SIBA Brewery Business of the Year (Judging Panel Awarded)
Enter the SIBA Business Awards 2026 via www.siba.co.uk/businessawards
