SIBA Business Awards 2023 Finalists: The UK’s best independent beer businesses revealed

The Bailey Head has been named as one of the three best rural Craft beer pubs or bars in the whole of the UK, with the overall winner being announced in Liverpool on March 15th.  The Oswestry pub won the top spot in 2020 and has made it to the final few for five of the last six years.

Landlady of the Bailey Head, Grace Goodlad, said: “We are delighted to make it into the finals again.  This award is from the brewing industry and its good to know that we are seen as a top-tier craft beer venue by the country’s independent brewers.  We work incredibly hard on beer quality and it is such a boost to be recognised in this way. We are stunned to achieved this for the fifth time”.    Duncan Borrowman, Grace’s husband and Landlord of the pub said “I spend thousands of hours a year working in the cellar and on managing our beer, this recognition means a huge amount to us.  I am very proud to have been named in the national finals again, but also intensely grateful to our staff, customers and suppliers for all their hard work and support which has been very important in us getting there.

“We will be in Liverpool on the 15th to see what happens, and of course we would be delighted to take the top spot again!  However, making the finals for the fifth time is pretty special and we will be celebrating, whatever happens on the big day”.

Finalists and winners since the award was introduced in 2016

2016
Winner
Yew Tree Inn Cheshire

2017
Winner
The Salutation Inn, Ham, Gloucestershire
Finalists
Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells, Powys
The Old Workshop, Teignmouth, Devon

2018
Winner
The Cove, Devon
Finalists
The Bailey Head, Oswestry
Geese and Fountain, Lincolnshire
Red Lion Inn, Wiltshire

2019
Winner
Bowland Beer Hall, Clitheroe
Finalists
Kirkstall Bridge Inn, Leeds
The Star Inn, Halesworth
The Harvester, Southam

2020
Winner
The Bailey Head, Oswestry
Finalists
The Reading Rooms, Wheathampstead
The Wonston Arms, Winchester
Vocation and Co, Hebden Bridge

2021
Winner
The Royal Barn, Kirkby Lonsdale
Finalists
The Bailey Head, Oswestry
The Salutation Inn, Ham

2022
Winner
The Fox & Hounds Beerhouse, Caversham
Finalists
The Bailey Head, Oswestry
The Riverhead Brewery Tap, Marsden
Too Hoppy, Tavistock

2023
Finalists
The Bailey Head, Oswestry
Elephant & Castle, Wheathampstead
The Fox & Hounds Beer House, Caversham

Pictured: The Bailey Head, Oswestry – Courtesy of Graham Mitchell.