Brew Toon has been named Scottish Brewery of the Year at the 2026 Scottish Beer Awards, according to Daily Business. The Peterhead brewery also picked up a haul of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the ceremony, which took place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central as part of the Beer Matters Conference.

Key points

  • Top prize — Brew Toon won Scottish Brewery of the Year, sponsored by BarthHaas.
  • Gold run — the brewery also took Gold for Wired to the Toon, Tanfield Export, Everlasting Tropical and Weekend Spooker.
  • Other winners — Williams Bros and Stewart Brewing each collected multiple Golds and smaller medals.
  • Low and no — Brew Toon and Williams Bros shared the low and no-alcohol Golds.

Brew Toon's Gold medals came in Best Strong Beer for Wired to the Toon, Best British Style Ale for Tanfield Export, Best Sour Beer for Everlasting Tropical and Best Lager, sponsored by Avani Solutions, for Weekend Spooker.

Williams Bros Brewing Co had a strong showing as well, winning Gold in Best Low Alcohol Beer for Ginger and in Best Porter or Stout for March of the Penguins, plus a string of Silver and Bronze awards. Stewart Brewing took Excellence in Branding and Best Beer Destination, sponsored by eKeg, and Gold in Best IPA, sponsored by Diversey – A Solenis Company, for New Relic.

Tennent's Caledonian Breweries claimed both Gold and Silver in the Best Pilsner category, sponsored by eKeg, with Tennent's 1885 Export Lager finishing ahead of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner. Cross Borders Brewing Company won Gold for Best Session Beer, sponsored by CERTUSS, with its India Pale Ale, while BrewDog's Krush Test Dummy took Gold for Best Juicy or Hazy Beer.

The low and no-alcohol sector was recognised too: Brew Toon's Unwired to the Toon won Gold for Best No Alcohol Beer, sponsored by Core Beverage Equipment, and Williams Bros took the Best Low Alcohol Beer title with Ginger. The awards were presented during Beer Matters, a day of discussion and networking that looked at the future of beer, changing consumer behaviour, innovation and how breweries can adapt to a shifting market.

Editor's comment

What it means in practice

For drinkers in Britain, the main effect is likely to be more of these beers turning up in pubs, bars and supermarket shelves, especially the low and no-alcohol ranges that did well this year. If you like trying something new, the winners give you a shortlist to look out for.

  • Look out for — Gold-winning beers from Brew Toon, Williams Bros, Stewart Brewing and others may get wider distribution.
  • Low and no — the category is growing, so expect more choice if you are cutting down on alcohol.
  • Local trade — Scottish breweries getting recognition can support jobs and tourism in their areas.