Prof Dawn Maskell, director of the International Centre of Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University, is to become chair of the Scottish Beer Awards.
Prof Dawn Maskell. Photograph: Geraldo Jaconelli
She replaces Hilary Jones, the former technical director of Scottish & Newcastle, who has been chair since the awards were founded in 2015.
Prof Maskell leads a team at Heriot-Watt University who teach brewing to students from Scotland and around the world. She has been involved in the Scottish Beer Awards since 2016, on both the business and taste judging panels.
“It is a real honour to chair the judging of the Scottish Beer Awards,” she said. “The competition is vitally important for Scottish brewers to celebrate their many achievements across the year and learn from others across the sector.
“I hope to bring a reassuring and critical eye to the judging process, and work with the organisers to ensure that brewers across Scotland get involved in these important awards.”
Hilary Jones will remain involved in the awards as a judge. She said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my work as chair in these important awards, and I am delighted that Dawn has agreed to take up the role in the awards’ tenth year.
“I have every confidence that, working with all the other judges, she will maintain our rigorous and fair approach to judging, as well as bringing her own highly-valued insights.”
