The Sun Newspaper has been named the “Beer Drinker of the Year” by All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group Chairman, Andrew Griffiths, MP for Burton on Trent.  The presentation was made at the Beer Group’s Annual Awards Dinner on the 8th July that attracted over 200 MPs, Peers and senior industry figures.

Presenting the award Andrew (pictured left with Craig Woodhouse, Political Correspondent from the Sun Newspaper) said “For the first time, this year our Beer Drinker of the Year is not a person but a national institution.  The Sun has been passionate in its support for Britain’s beer lovers and pub goers for many years.”

“It has championed the right of football fans to enjoy a pint in their campaign for extended World Cup Licensing hours.  It has also teamed up with the Titanic Brewery to create a new beer, “Desert Hero” that has been sold in Weatherspoon’s to raise money for a permanent memorial in Whitehall for armed forces who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“The paper has been enormously vocal in leading a national media campaign to abolish the Beer Duty Escalator and for subsequent duty cuts. Not only was George Osborne persuaded of the economic case for abolishing the Beer Duty Escalator in 2013 but he has made historic and unprecedented cuts in Beer Duty in the last three budgets. As a result, UK beer sales rose last year after a decade of decline.

“The efforts of the Sun newspaper clearly played an important part in that successful campaign, and they have consistently stood up for Britain’s beer drinkers.”

The Beer Group also presented its other awards:

–        Brewer of the Year: Alastair Hook, Meantime Brewing Company.

–        Lifetime Achievement: Robin Appel, Robin Appel Ltd and Tony Banham, H Banham Ltd.

–        Beer Parliamentarian of the Year: Rt Hon John Healey, MP for Wentworth & Dearne.

–        Pub Parliamentarian of the Year: Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg & Goole.

–       PubAid Award:  J D Wetherspoon