News Story

National Brewery Centre to stage Brewing Awards

The Brewing Industry International Awards 2011 are to be held at the National Brewery Centre in Burton-on-Trent and will be followed immediately by a new Festival of Beer showcasing many of the participating beers.

The National Brewery Centre, which opened in May this year, was an “obvious candidate” to host the competition, said Ruth Evans, chief executive of Brewing Technology Services, organisers of the Brewing Awards. She added, "We are delighted to be holding the 2011 Awards at this new and very appropriate venue which can accommodate not only the competition but the Festival of Beer. Brewers taking part in the Awards now have an opportunity to promote their beer to consumers, which hasn’t been a feature of previous competitions and we’re sure will lead to more entries from brewers and brand owners around the globe.”

Entries to the competition are now open on the Brewing Awards website www.brewingawards.org. Beers will be consolidated by Molson Coors, whose brewery adjoins the Brewery Centre. The entry fee is £150 (+ UK VAT) per beer and entry forms should be submitted before the end of December.

Details of the Festival of Beer are being finalised by the National Brewery Centre, whose general manager Kim Clarke commented, “The National Brewery Centre celebrates the unique contribution made by Burton to brewing not only in the UK but globally, so it is very fitting for us to be staging this celebration of beers from around the world.” Staffordshire County Council and Heart of England Fine Foods are also involved in organising the Festival of Beer.

The Brewing Awards take place from 9 – 11 February 2011. The bronze, silver and gold class winners will be announced in Burton on 11th February. The nine category winners – selected from the gold winners for each class – will be revealed at a separate Awards ceremony on 12 April 2011 within the BFBi annual lunch at London Guildhall. All class and category winners will receive their medals and trophies at this event.

The Brewing Industry International Awards 2011 are sponsored by: BFBi, International Agri-Technology Centre, Institute of Brewing & Distilling, British Beer & Pub Association and Morning Advertiser.