Wild Card Brewery, in Walthamstow, East London, has been named brewery business of the year at the 2023 SIBA Business Awards.
“Delighted to win the award — it’s just huge recognition for everyone at Wildcard and we’re just really proud of what we have achieved as a team,” said Wild Card co-owner Will Harris.
Fellow owner Jaega Wise added: “We have been going for 11 years now, and to get recognition on a national level is unbelievable for the team — we’re going to go out tonight and celebrate!
“At Wildcard we operate a skinny team that works hard, so for us this is the ultimate validation. Sometimes things have got tough over the last couple of years, and so an award like this really does mean everything.”
The awards are judged by a panel of independent beer industry experts, and organised by not-for-profit trade association the Society of Independent Brewers. The awards cover everything from brewery marketing, design, and innovation, to efforts to make businesses more sustainable or impactful.
Writer Pete Brown, who presented the awards, said: “Wildcard were hugely impressive across the board, taking home the top prize in two categories, and carve a niche for themselves with unique design, top quality beers and keen business instincts.
“Their influence on the industry has been huge for what is a relatively small brewery, and judges were blown away by just how much they are doing to progress the brewery on all fronts.”
Bluestone Brewing Co was named sustainable business of the year. “We have been runners-up in this category a couple of times, so to be announced winner last night was amazing,” said the brewers afterwards. “Our hard work is paying off, and to receive recognition on a national stage for our sustainable efforts was a great feeling.
We believe that there is a social responsibility, on all businesses, to reduce their footprints for the benefit of everybody. We want to ensure that our business has a positive impact on the welfare of the next generation.
“We may be a small business in the grand scheme of things, but we hope that our way of working may influence others and that we can have a big impact on our local community and the wide brewing community!”
The full list of winners
UK’s best independent craft beer retailer (single)
Brewery Market, Twickenham
UK’s best independent craft beer retailer (multiple)
A Hoppy Place
UK’s best independent craft beer retailer (online)
A Hoppy Place
UK’s best independent craft beer bar or pub (city)
Bullhouse East, Belfast
UK’s best independent craft beer bar or pub (rural)
Elephant & Castle, Wheathampstead
UK’s best independent craft beer promotion
Hop Forward
UK’s best independent craft brewery webshop
Wild Card
Marketing implementation
Black Sheep Brewery
Community engagement
Full Circle
Highly commended: Moon Gazer Ale
Best individual design
Anspach and Hobday
Best concept design
Wild Card
Highly commended: Lakes Brew Co
Business innovation
Lincoln Green
Commercial achievement
Hobsons
Empowering people
Brewhouse and Kitchen
HIghly commended: Signature Brew
UK’s best independent craft brewery taproom
Hackney Church Brew Co
Highly commended: Wiper and True
Sustainable business
Bluestone Brewing Co and Ramsgate Brewery (joint winners)
Supplier associate of the year (brewer nominated)
Festival Glass
Brewery business of the year (judge awarded)
Wild Card
