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The Walthamstow-based business’s owners Will Harris and Jaega Wise were on hand to accept the award.
Harris said: “[I’m] delighted to win the award – it’s just huge recognition for everyone at Wildcard and we’re just really proud of what we have achieved as a team.”
Ultimate validation
Wise added: “We have been going for 11 years now and to get recognition on a national level is unbelievable for the team – we’re going to go out tonight and celebrate.
“At Wildcard, we operate a skinny team that works hard so, for us, this is the ultimate validation. Sometimes things have got tough over the past couple of years and an award like this really does mean everything.”
The SIBA Business Awards – which highlighted the best beer UK businesses, including breweries, pubs, taprooms and bottle shops – are organised by not-for-profit trade association the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) and took place at BeerX in Liverpool on Wednesday 15 March.
Hugely impressive
Beer industry writer and broadcaster Pete Brown, who presented the awards, said: “Wildcard were hugely impressive across the board, taking home the top prize in two categories and have carved a niche for themselves with unique design, top-quality beers and keen business instincts.
“Their influence on the industry has been huge for what is a relatively small brewery and judges were blown away by just how much they doing to progress the brewery on all fronts.”
The 2023 awards saw the inaugural Empowering People award, which seeks to highlight the best breweries in the UK to work for by empowering and supporting their teams and championing inclusivity and diversity.
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UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Single Brewery Market, Twickenham – Winner Brews of the World, Burton-on-Trent CentrAle, Newcastle The Filling Station, St Ives |
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Multiple 10 Green Bottles A Hoppy Place – Winner General Stores |
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Retailer – Online A Hoppy Place – Winner Beers of Europe Trembling Madness |
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UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – City Bullhouse East, Belfast – Winner Craft Republic, Barry Whitelock’s Ale House, Leeds |
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub – Rural The Baileyhead, Oswestry Elephant & Castle, Wheathampstead – Winner The Fox & Hounds Beer House, Caversham |
UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Promotion Hop Forward – Winner London Craft Beer Festival Norwich City of Ale |
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UK’s Best Independent Craft Brewery Webshop Cloudwater Thornbridge Wildcard – Winner |
Marketing Implementation Black Sheep – Winner Hand Brew Co Siren Wiper + True |
Community Engagement Adnams Full Circle – Winner Moongazer – Highly Commended Signature Brew |
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Best Individual Design Anspach & Hobday – Winner Full Circle Red Willow |
Best Concept Design Abbeydale Funk Dungeon Lakes Brew Co – Highly Commended North Brewing Wildcard – Winner |
Business Innovation Hobsons Lincoln Green – Winner |
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Commercial Achievement Bullhouse Hobsons – Winner Lakes Brew Co Utopian |
Empowering People Brentwood Brewery Brewhouse & Kitchen – Winner Signature Brew – Highly Commended |
UK’s Best Independent Craft Brewery Taproom Gun Brewery Hackney Church Brew Co. – Winner Wiper + True – Highly Commended |
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Sustainable Business Bluestone Brewing Co – Winner (joint) Purity Ramsgate Brewery – Winner (joint) Wasted Degrees |
Supplier Associate of the year (Brewer nominated) Beer Box Shop Charles Faram Festival Glass – Winner Saxon Packaging |
Brewery Business of the Year (Judge Awarded) Wildcard |
Sustainability strategy launched
Meanwhile, SIBA has launched a sustainability strategy for helping independent UK breweries to meet the ambitious Net Zero targets set by the Government.
Brewing our way to Net Zero will include a consultation with breweries, suppliers and others across the UK before being implemented.
SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said: “In many respects, small independent breweries lead the way in sustainability.
“Their core product is locally produced beer, 66% of which is packaged into reusable containers and sold to community pubs predominantly within a 40-mile radius of the brewery.
“Yet, as small and medium sized businesses, many independent breweries lack the economic, human and technical resources they need to make the jump to net zero – increasingly the number one priority in sustainability.”
The strategy sets out how independent breweries can achieve their net zero obligations, focusing on six key areas: Energy Use, Ingredients, Transport & Logistics, Packaging & Recycling, Solid Waste Management and Water.
The report consultation will be open until 19 May to gather feedback.
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