The Women in Beer Awards kicked off the Women in Beer Festival — a week of events celebrating diversity — by crowning this year’s most talented and influential Women in Beer.
Award winners celebrate at the Cloudwater taproom. Photograph: Matt Curtis
With support from award sponsors, the winners were celebrated during a sold-out event hosted at Cloudwater Brewery Taproom, in Manchester.
The 2026 entries were judged by an independent panel comprising:
- Melissa Cole (beer judge, journalist, broadcaster, and 2025 Women in Beer Industry Icon);
- Paul Jones (owner and managing director at Cloudwater Brew Co);
- Sophie de Ronde (head brewer at Burnt Mill Brewery)
- Vinny Rosario (co-founder and head of production at Moonwake Beer Co)
- Helen Anne Smith (founder and co-editor at Burum Collective); and
- Lucy Do (founder of The Dodo Micropub).
The judges also had the important task of choosing the Women in Beer Industry Icon, honouring a woman whose career and influence have improved the beer industry. The judges presented the award to Lily Waite-Marsden, celebrating her work as a brewer, communicator, and activist, and her tireless efforts to make the industry more inclusive and diverse.
And to recognise her exceptional career in service of the beer industry, the judging panel has this year decided to honour BfBI chief executive Ruth Evans MBE with a lifetime achievement award.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been involved in a judging where it was so hard to pick the winners,” said Melissa Cole, last year’s recipient of the Industry Icon award. “The achievements listed by these shining lights in the industry are nothing short of remarkable.
“I was particularly proud of the women who nominated themselves. To stand up in a society that is consistently asking you to be smaller, in every way, is a proud act of defiance and self-belief.”
She added: “Nominating Lily for this year’s Icon award was also an immense privilege; she is uncompromisingly brilliant and a trailblazer. Our industry is immeasurably better for her being in it.”
Other award winners
Brewer of the year (sponsored by SIBA)
Red Kellie, First and Last Brewery
Rising star award (sponsored by Simpsons Malt)
Aureja Jupp, Pixie Brewing
Communicator of the year (sponsored by Crisp Malt)
Laura Hadland
Highly commended: Elizabeth Townsend
Entrepreneur of the year (sponsored by Thomas Fawcett & Sons)
Gill Sherwin, Best of British Beer
Beer expert of the year (sponsored by Yakima Chief Hops)
Alix Blease, Lallemand Brewing
Mentor of the year (sponsored by Murphy & Son)
Natalya Watson
Industry champion of the year (sponsored by eKeg)
Catherine Webber
Beer creative of the year (sponsored by WHC Lab)
Nanna Koekoek, Pretty Decent Beer Co
Highly commended: Kate Stevens, Rooster’s Brewing Co
Hospitality leader of the year (sponsored by the British Beer & Pubs Association)
Maryann O’Connor, The Green Goddess
Women’s collective of the year (sponsored by CAMRA)
Women on Tap CIC
Highly commended: No Half Measures, Nottingham
