A South Cumbria brewery is celebrating after receiving two nominations in the 2024 Brewers Choice Awards organised by The Brewers Journal.
Judges from across the brewing industry have drawn up a shortlist for categories including Young Brewer of The Year, Brewer of The Year, New Brewery of The Year, Brewery of The Year, New Beer of The Year, Beer of The Year, Branding of The Year, Sustainability Champion, Lifetime Achievement and Global Ambassador.
Flookburgh-based Fell Brewery are among three shortlisted in the sustainability category while Imogen Beedham faces challengers from Bristol and Edinburgh to become young brewer of the year.
“Imogen has been an integral part of Fell since 2017 and her ability to bring creativity to the table, use knowledge gained on-the-job and from elsewhere in harmony, as well as producing drinks of the highest quality, that in some cases also push the boundaries of what beer can be, really demonstrates why she deserves to be shortlisted for this award,” John Bernard Major, Fell’s head brewer said.
“Becoming such an accomplished and risk-taking creative brewer from a place of little experience in such a short time – only taking on a full-time role as a brewer just over four years ago – is no mean feat in itself and is testament to her hard work, drive and ambition as well as a dedication to the well-established core principles of brewing.”
This year’s submissions were judged by author Melissa Cole, renowned brewer and managing director Jenn Merrick, Lotte Peplow, the craft beer ambassador in Europe for the Brewers Association, and Paul Davies, founder of the award-winning AleHunters Brewery Tours.
Also on the panel were freelance beverage and hospitality consultant Sean Robertson, the regarded pub landlord and champion of the on-trade Roger Molyneux, Brew Resourceful founder Chris Lewington, and Natalya Watson WSET’s Business Development Manager – Beer and Beer Educator. Tim Sheahan, editor of The Brewers Journal was also part of the judging.
“It is always a privilege and an honour to help judge the amazing work taking place in the brewing industry,” Tim Sheahan, global editor of The Brewers Journal, said. “It was a joy to share a room with so many regarded and respected figures. The calibre of the submissions was incredibly high and it was great to see the number of entries increase year-on-year.”
The winners of the 2024 Brewers Choice Awards will be announced at the Brewers Choice Awards taking place on the evening of the first day of the Brewers Congress in London next month.
