Beer retailer among UK’s best

A BRIDGEND beer company has been shortlisted in the SIBA Business Awards. SIBA stands for Society of Independent Brewers.

Nearest Beer Shop, in Bridgend, is a finalist in the UK’s Best

Independent Craft Beer Retailer.

The Nearest Beer Shop is a familyrun business where the walls are lined with shelves and fridges packed to the brim with craft beer, lager, cider, and spirits.

They will be competing against Beer Dad, Brewery Market, and Stirchley Beer & Wine to become champions.

Another Welsh beer business that has been recognised in the awards is Craft Republic, which is in Barry. They have been named as the finalists in the UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub -City.

Craft Republic opened in 2020 in Goodsheds in Barry.

The business is run by husband and wife duo Claire and Tim Whalley after giving up their corporate jobs and investing £60,000 of their life savings to create a bar where people could try all types of craft beer without having to travel or go to beer festivals.

They are the business behind the popular spirit brand Barry Island Spirits and they sell 14 different lines of craft beer, lager, and cider poured from a state-of-the-art direct draw system.

In 2023 they won the UK’s Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or PubCity and are up against Candid Beer in Stafford, Dead Crafty Crafty Beer Co. in Liverpool, Green Goddess in Blackheath, and Vocation & Co. in Sheffield for 2024.

The SIBA Business Awards will take place on Wednesday, March 13, when the winners will be announced.