I’m going to keep it brief and it’s worth noting that these are the opinions of the editor (Tim) and not any one else in the team.

There are a lot of familiar names in this list but I wasn’t in the mood for shaking things up in order to be different. I love the fact that there are some consistencies across people’s awards this year, and I love that there is so much diversity. Long may it continue.

Best UK Cask Beer | Fuller’s Bengal Lancer

Fuller’s were my foray into “good” beer. And I will always be grateful. Growing up in West London, their range of cask beers are a comfort blanket of consistency and quality. Not enough, in my opinion, is made of their seasonal and more limited beers. Bengal Lancer on cask is an excellent beer. I love it in bottle, too. The branding is perfect and when I see that pump clip on cask, I know it’ll be the first, and maybe the only beer I will be drinking in that establishment.

Runners Up: Cloudwater Pale, Thornbridge Baize

Best UK Keg Beer | Beavertown Gamma Ray

The increased prevalence of Gamma Ray is a great, great thing. The quality has never dipped and knowing I should be able to enjoy from one week to the next, rather that going a month before drinking it again, is incredibly reassuring. I’m writing this article in a pub that has 40 taps, and I’d say double that in the fridge, but the call of Gamma Ray is strong. Never change!

Best UK Bottled or Canned Beer | Beavertown ‘Spresso

Like Adele at the Brit Awards, Beavertown are back on the stage. I enjoyed the previous iteration of ‘Spresso, which was fantastic but this version was a genuinely worth of an audible ‘wow’. The coffee is dominant here and for a 9.5% beer, it is super drinkable. Looking forward to its return. Soon please.

Runners Up: Northern Monk Brew Co Black Forest Strannik,  Cloudwater DIPAs, Siren Ten Dollar Shake,

Best Overseas Draught Beer | AleSmith Speedway Stout – Vietnamese Coffee

I’m starting to notice a theme here but it was impossible to look past AleSmith Speedway Stout – Vietnamese Coffee. I was able to try it in NYC and in Copenhagen this year. Both times sublime and made the idea of drinking anything else somewhat undesirable.

Best Overseas Bottled or Canned Beer | Pirate Life Pale Ale

My debut experience with Pirate Life came this month but it has been a long time since I’ve been able to try a brewery’s core range, four in this case, and not find a weak link. Sitting in-between the Throwback IPA, IPA and Double IPA, this beer is a perfect “sessionable” beer, pouring a deep amber coupling an amazing aroma a flavour. Look forward to seeing these guys grow in the UK.

Runners Up: Oskar Blues Death by Coconut, Alpine Pure Hoppiness

Best Collaboration Brew | Thornbridge/Brooklyn/Tom Oliver Serpent

This beer has popped up in a few posts so far, and for good reason. It challenges, excites and enthuses in equal measure. Sure, some people have tried it and that sip was enough. But that is what is great about beer. A true collaboration and one between two stunning, humble brewers. To Oliver’s influence throughout is, of course, massive, too.

I was fortunate to be invited to Thornbridge during the bottling of Serpent and it is an experience I’ll never forget. Having Garrett Oliver help look for my lost dictaphone at the back of the car was the definition of surreal, too.

Best UK Brewery | Beavertown Brewery

Matt Curtis ended his excellent Golden Pints post but saying Beavertown Brewery still talk to you, not at you. That really resonated with me. Logan was the first person to say “Sure!” to a visit before this magazine came into fruition. He gave up a few hours, shared a few beers and treated me, and the magazine, with a great deal of respect, which I was always appreciate. This year’s Rainbow Project event was my beer highlight and ran perfectly. Not to mention the beers, too. The aforementioned ‘Spresso is a delight. Double Chin was great, Neck Oil and Gamma are go-to beers, while the Phantom series continue to impress with each iteration. Thank you!

Runners Up:  Northern Monk Brew Co, Gun Brewery

Best New UK Brewery Opening | Lost and Grounded

For a short few days, I had an insight in the controlled chaos that was taking place at Lost and Grounded Brewers prior to opening. I can only imagine the pressure the team were under but that did not stop Annie and Alex giving up a few hours for an article we ran a few issues back. There was, and is, a great deal of good will towards the duo and the team they assembled. Thankfully, and expectedly, the beers match the branding and the hype. Trying the whole range in London recently at an event put on by Cave Direct (thanks again), was a privilege. Can’t wait to see where they go next.

Runners Up: Elusive Brewing

Pub/Bar of the Year | The Hop Locker

I’m not alone in often going out of my way to visit The Hop Locker. Hands down, my favourite drinking establishment by far. Joel and the team do an excellent job. Service is always on point, the range of beers is seriously impressive, and in winter, they are acing the balancing act of two sites with aplomb. The future sounds incredibly bright for the team and I can’t wait to see how they grow in 2017. See you soon!

Runners Up: The Beer Boutique, BrewDog Shepherd’s Bush,

Beer Retailer of the Year – Winner | The Beer Boutique

I’m a big fan of this place. They have a smaller site in Wandsworth, and a new one in Tunbridge Wells, but the flagship in Putney combines a fantastic selection, great music, the ability to drink in and super friendly staff. Special shout out to Caps and Taps. I’ve never actually been but I delegate my brother to swing by and they always deliver the goods.

Runners Up: Caps and Taps

Best Beer Blog or Website – Winner | Total Ales

I had long followed Matt Curtis on Twitter before The Brewers Journal came into being. Total Ales is always a great read, covering a diverse number of subjects and breweries. But it’s the quality of the photography that sets it apart further. He’s frequently quizzed on what camera he uses and the quality of the shots he posts forced me to spend far more on my latest camera that I had planned to. Nice one!

Runners Up: Tandelman’s Beer Blog, Stonch’s Beer Blog, Brew Geekery

Best Beer Book or Magazine – Winner | Beer School: A Crash Course in Craft Beer

An approachable, informative and interesting take on beer by Jonny Garrett and Brad Evans. So good that the tome was taking from my grasp on a recent flight by a fellow passenger so she could take a photo of it as “It’ll make a perfect present for friends and family”. Can’t argue with that.   

Runners Up: Original Gravity