Women in Beer has announced the shortlist for its awards, celebrating the women who shape the beer industry. There are 10 categories in all.
The 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 winners in each category will be announced on 20th October 2026 at an awards ceremony at Cloudwater Brew Co Taproom, in Manchester. Tickets are on sale here, with a ‘pay what you can’ option for individual tickets, to make the event accessible to as many people as possible.
The finalists
Brewer of the tear (sponsored by SIBA)
Laura Gillott, Thornbridge Brewery
Kate Hyde, Hand Brew Co
Red Kellie, First & Last Brewery
Georgian Young, St Austell Brewery
Rising star award (sponsored by Simpsons Malt)
Chloe Farrer, Brewpoint
Aureja Jupp, Pixie Brewing
Sophie Millard, The Britannia Inn
Shannon Weir, Bullhouse Brew Co
Communicator of the year (sponsored by Crisp Malt)
Rachel Auty
Laura Hadland
Elizabeth Townsend
Natalya Watson
Entrepreneur of the year (sponsored by Thomas Fawcett & Sons)
Gunnika Ahuja, Bunta Beer
Sasha Miller, The Cotton Mill
Gill Sherwin, Best of British Beer
Sarah Watts, The Pour House
Beer expert of the year (sponsored by Yakima Chief Hops)
Robyn Bell, Cloudwater Brew Co
Tracy Fisher, Brewpoint
Genevieve Upton, Cara Technology
Natalya Watson, WSET
Industry champions of the year (sponsored by eKeg)
Ruth Evans, BfBI
Ruth Mitchell, Charles Faram
Jules Gray, Hop Hideout
Catherine Webber, Attic Brew Co and Brum Beer Babs
Beer creative of the year (sponsored by WHC Lab)
Maxine Fursdon, Ideal Day
Naomi Hayward, Indie Rabble Brew Co and A Hoppy Place
Nanna Koekoek, Pretty Decent Beer Co
Kate Stevens, Rooster’s Brewing Co
Hospitality leader of the year (sponsored by the BBPA)
Jules Gray, Hop Hideout
Naomi Hayward, Indie Rabble Brew Co and A Hoppy Place
Maryann O’Connor, The Green Goddess
Women’s collective of the year (sponsored by CAMRA)
Glasladies Beer Society
Manchester Crafty Beer Girls
No Half Measures, Nottingham
Women on Tap CIC
Women in Beer 2026 — industry icon, judges’ choice (sponsored by Charles Faram)
Lotte Peplow
Genevieve Upton
Lily Waite
Jaega Wise
Georgina Young
