Highlands and Islands breweries shortlisted in Scottish Beer Awards

15 Jun 2016 --- The awards are a new annual business event which celebrate achievements in Scottish brewing and will take place on Thursday 29 September in Edinburgh. The independent expert judging panel selected 73 beers as finalists from 31 different breweries across Scotland.

Off all the finalists, Ross-shire based Black Isle Brewing Co has the highest number of beers in the finals, with eight shortlisted entries. 

Other breweries from the region are, WooHa Brewing Company; Orkney Brewery; Speyside Brewery; Keith Brewing; Colonsay Brewery; Windswept Brewing Company; Speyside Craft Brewey; and Isle of Skye Brewing Co.

Hilary Jones, Chair of the judging panel, said: “The judging day was a fantastic experience and I was incredibly impressed by the high standard of written entries. The tasting session was illuminating and with eight beer types and 154 beers, we were really put through our paces. The overwhelming consensus from the panel is that the Scottish brewing sector is in terrific health and producing some outstanding beers.”

Head of food and drink at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Elaine Jamieson, said: “Scotland has a growing reputation for its emerging craft brewing sector. It’s fantastic to see such a high level and quality of entries from across the region for the first ever Scottish Beer Awards. We wish all finalist the best of luck in the forthcoming awards.”