SIBA
The Society of Independent Breweries
Our connection with SIBA goes back to 2002. They had contacted the hotel in view of hosting their annual conference and beer competition with us. After a few months’ of organising and liaising with various SIBA members, the weekend came upon us and turned out to be a great success, not only for the hotel but in raising the profile of SIBA in general. Throughout the organising stages SIBA had explained they hold the conference in different venues every year to ensure variety. Now we must have created a good impression, as to our delight they confirmed they would be booking us again for the following year.
As regulars of the Barons bar will know we also held the conference and beer competition in 2004 in addition to hosting the Northern beer competition finals previous to this. Some of you may still ask though … What is SIBA ?
The Society of Independent Brewers was formed in 1980 to represent the interests of the emerging new wave of microbrewers. As SIBA’s credibility and campaigning successes have grown other brewers have shown interest in joining. There is now no ceiling on full brewery membership and SIBA is one of the most authoritative and represents bodies in the brewing industry.
SIBA has one simple mission:
To campaign on behalf of independent brewers to ensure that they have the best possible opportunity to bring their goods to market.
Membership of SIBA is open to breweries, suppliers to the brewing industry and pubs who are committed to hand-crafted beer. More details of campaigns and success’s can be found at their website: www.siba.co.uk
In 2004 we saw the beer competition have nearly 100 entries within the different categories, which of course after the competition has ended, they all go on sale to you the general public. This has led the way for the current competition and festival format. It allows you the opportunity to try a whole range of different hand-crafted beers in varying styles and complexities. SIBA have also marked our commitment to them and their members by presenting the Barons Bar and the Scarisbrick Hotel with one of their Special Merit awards. It seems it is very rare to receive one of these awards from them.
The competitions are judged by blind tasting and the judging panels judge the following categories:
Bitter
Best Bitter
Premium Ales
Strong Ales
Speciality Beers
Milds
Porters / Old Ales / Stouts
Bottled Beers
More recently two new categories were introduced to the competitions:
Organic Ales
Wheat Beers (Bavarian, Belgium & British)
Once a winner is found for each category they go into the grand final for which a hand selected panel of judges will decide on which beer will be overall champion. Past winners include Croak & Stagger from the Frog Island Brewery and Old Moor Porter from the Acorn Brewery.
We believe at the Barons Bar in serving you the finest quality real ales and are fully supportive of the local and smaller (micro)breweries.
Currently we have now hosted the SIBA Northern Beer Competition every year since 2004. This has allowed us to witness the exceptional growth of the competition. The number of entrants has increased as has the diversity and quality of the beers entering the competiton. The event really does highlight the high standards of the modern Independant Brewing Industry and allows us to showcase the fruits of their hard earned labour. Long may it continue to flourish.
UPDATE
Congratulations to the 2008 SIBA North Champion Beer
OSSETT - EXCELSIOR
A list of all the winning beers can be found on SIBA’s website, please use our links page.
It has been confirmed that we will be hosting the SIBA North Beer Competition next year. The date for your diaries is Friday 9th January, 2009
