Edinburgh brewery brings home top honours at World Beer Awards
Edinburgh based brewery Innis & Gunn have brought home top honours from the World Beer Awards.
They retained the title as Scotland's best brewery at the annual international competition, which is judged by global beer experts. Innis & Gunn also claimed gold in the Wood Aged category for their Original beer.
Lager Beer maintained its crown in the Classic Pilsener category. Both beers were also named Country Winners for Scotland, reports the Daily Record.
Lager Beer, crafted with naked golden oats and zesty aromatic hops, is praised for its crisp, refreshing flavour and continues to outperform major international brands in blind tastings. The Original, first launched in 2003, remains the beer that put Innis & Gunn on the map.
Matured in hand-selected single malt whisky casks, it develops a smooth, rich character with layered notes of vanilla, toffee, citrus and subtle oak, complemented by a honey-gold colour and velvety mouthfeel.
Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder and master brewer, said: "This is an immensely proud moment for the team, particularly seeing Lager Beer maintain back-to-back gold status.
"World leading beer that could only come from Scotland. We've been making Original for over two decades and it continues to win awards and delight customers in Scotland and beyond.
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"This is the global benchmark for brewing excellence, and a real testament to the hard work and craft of the team. Scotland's brewing scene is world-class and these wins put Scottish beer firmly on the global map."
The Original is now a leading imported speciality beer, sold in more than 20 countries worldwide, with strong followings in Canada and Sweden. The World Beer Awards celebrate outstanding flavour, quality and innovation, with breweries from across Scotland and beyond competing in categories ranging from lagers to wood-aged and speciality beers.
This latest recognition comes after a banner year for Innis & Gunn. The brewery transformed a site in Edinburgh into Stockbridge Social, an open-air food and drink destination on Raeburn Place, coinciding with the Fringe.
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The venue, which opened last month on the former Neighbourhood Market site, has quickly become a festival hotspot. Innis & Gunn also returned with its popular pop-up, The Mound, showcasing Scottish talent during the Fringe.
Beyond the festival scene, the brewery has strengthened its ties to Scottish culture, becoming headline partner of the Celtic Connections folk music festival in a landmark five-year deal. It continues to serve as official beer partner for major events including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival.
Full list of the World Beer Awards 2025 winners below:
Gold - Country Winners Innis & Gunn - The Original (6.6%) -- Wood Aged.
Innis & Gunn - Lager Beer (4.6%) -- Classic Pilsener.
Paolozzi - Helles Lager (5.2%) -- Helles/Munchner.
Anti Establishment - Double Hazy IPA (7.2%) -- Imperial/Double/DIPA.
Tennents - Extra (9.0%) -- Bock.
Jackstaff - IPA (0.5%) -- NO & LOW: IPA.
Tennents - Light (3.4%) -- Gluten-free.
SilverArran - Milestone Special Reserve (6.0%) -- Wood Aged.
Harviestoun Brewery - Schiehallion (4.8%) -- Classic Pilsener.
BronzeArran - Dark (4.3%) -- English Style Brown Ale.
Tennents - Lager (4.0%) -- Classic Pilsener.
Untitled - IPA (5.5%) -- English Style IPA.
Harviestoun Brewery - Ochil Lager (4.0%) -- Czech Style Pale.
Freedom - 4.8% Organic Helles Lager (4.8%) -- Helles/Munchner.
Tennents - Gluten Free (5.0%) -- Hoppy Pilsener.
Tennents - 1885 (5.0%) -- International Lager.
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