The BFBi National Annual Lunch returned in spectacular style this year, bringing together members, guests, sponsors and friends from across the brewing, cider and wider beverage supply chain for one of the most important dates in the industry calendar.
Held at the historic Guildhall in the City of London, the 2026 lunch was made even more significant by incorporating the International Brewing & Cider Awards ceremony — a global celebration of brewing and cider-making excellence.
The event provided a fitting stage for the presentation of this year’s International Brewing & Cider Awards Medals and Trophy Winners (selected from the Gold Medal winners across the competition). With entries representing breweries and cider makers from around the world, the Awards once again demonstrated the depth of talent, innovation and technical quality across national and international beer and cider.
The Trophy Awards represent the highest level of achievement within the competition. Each winner had already secured Gold Medal status within their class before being judged again against other Gold Medal winners to determine the overall Trophy recipients.
This year’s winners reflected the truly international nature of the Awards, with success for producers from South Africa, Scotland, England, Japan, Mexico, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Canada and the USA.
Among the headline achievements, Spring Valley Brewery was named Best Brewery, following its success with Juicy Hop, which also received The International Keg Ale Competition Trophy. Bauman’s Cider was named Best Cider Mill, with Endless Harvest also winning The International Classic Cider Competition Trophy.
The International Small Pack Lager Competition Trophy was awarded to Heineken Beverages SA (Pty) Ltd for Windhoek Lager.
The International Small Pack Ale Competition Trophy went to Swannay Brewery for You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know.
The International Keg Lager Competition Trophy was awarded to Robinsons Brewery for Helles.
The International Keg Ale Competition Trophy went to Spring Valley Brewery for Juicy Hop.
The International Non & Low Alcohol Competition Trophy was awarded to ABI for Modelo Negra Cero.
The International Dark Beer Competition Trophy went to Rebellion Beer Co for Eclipse.
The International Strong Beer Competition Trophy was awarded to Brauhaus Riegele for Riegele Weizendoppelbock.
The International Speciality Beer Competition Trophy went to Brouwerij De Poes for De Poes Oud-Bruin.
The International Cask Conditioned Ale Competition Trophy was awarded to Goffs Brewery for Cheltenham Gold.
The International Classic Cider Competition Trophy went to Bauman’s Cider for Endless Harvest.
The International Flavoured Cider Competition Trophy was awarded to Stonewell Cider for Rós.
The International Innovative Cider Competition Trophy went to Annapolis Cider Company for Arctic Kiwi Jr.
The Best Brewery Trophy was awarded to Spring Valley Brewery.
The Best Cider Mill Trophy was awarded to Bauman’s Cider.
Alongside the Awards, the National Annual Lunch provided an important opportunity for the industry to come together, reconnect and celebrate the people and businesses that support brewing, cider and beverage production.
The Guildhall provided a suitably grand setting for the occasion, combining the tradition of the National Annual Lunch with the international prestige of the Brewing & Cider Awards. The result was a memorable event that celebrated not only the winners, but the wider industry community behind them.
BFBi would like to thank everyone who attended, sponsored and supported the 2026 National Annual Lunch and International Brewing & Cider Awards this year.
Special thanks go to the judges, stewards, organisers, sponsors and volunteers whose work makes the Awards possible, and to all breweries and cider makers who entered this year’s competition.
Congratulations once again to all medal and trophy winners. The standard of entries continues to demonstrate why the International Brewing & Cider Awards remain one of the most respected competitions in the global beer and cider calendar.
We look forward to welcoming the industry again at future BFBi events.
