Our sponsors for the 2006 Dinner were:

Logoplaste

Quinn Glass

The event is held to celebrate the Bottling and Packaging Industry achievements and included the presentation of awards to the winners of this year’s BBI Ales, Lagers, Ciders and English and Welsh Wines, the judging of which had taken place in September.

The BBI Dinner at the Vintners Hall

Medals and certificates were presented by Colin Barker the National Chairman of the BBI and John Yates General Secretary of the BBI.

Gold Medals and Certificates are awarded for the outstanding products in each class of the competition, and Silver Medals and Certificates awarded to high attainers in each of the classes. Diplomas of excellence are awarded for other especially meritorious products in each class.

The BBI were delighted to award 9 Gold medals in various Classes of the competition to:

• Greene King of Bury St. Edmunds, three Gold Medals for their IPA and Hens Tooth and Strong Suffolk Ale.

• George Bateman & Son Ltd of Wainfleet, one Gold Medal for Triple XB.

• Timothy Taylor & Co Ltd of Keighley, one Gold Medal for Landlord Pale Ale.

• The Chiltern Brewery of Aylesbury, one Gold Medal for 300’s Old Ale.

• Shepherd Neame of Faversham, one Gold Medal for 1698 Bottle Conditioned Ale.

• Carr Taylor Wines Ltd of Westfield, two Gold Medals for their Alexis and Brut wines.

A further eleven Silver Medals were awarded to The Chiltern Brewery, Shepherd Neame, Greene King, Hogs Back Brewery, The Gaymer Cider Company, and Merrydown for their various products.

Additionally fourteen Diplomas of Excellence were awarded to Caledonian Brewing Company, Hall and Woodhouse, The Chiltern Brewery, Aspall Cider, The Gaymer Cider Company, Broadfield Court, Shepherd Neame and O-I Europe.

John Bexon of Greene King receives 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Diplomas from Colin Barker and John Yates

These awards for products which were judged by blind tasting at the premises of Aetna UK Ltd. reflect the high standards that are being achieved within the British Drinks Industry and all recipients of the awards and all the companies that entered the competition were congratulated and thanked by Colin Barker.

Also, as part of the evening’s celebration, the BBI Achievement Award, sponsored by Krones UK Ltd, was presented to Hedley Wright the Director of J and A Mitchell Ltd for an outstanding contribution to the Scottish Whisky Industry at the Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown. It is the oldest independent family owned distillery in Scotland and was founded in 1828 by Archibald Mitchell; the Springbank Distillery is now in the hands of his great great grand son, Hedley Wright. It is now the only distillery in Scotland to carry out the traditional production process on the one site, carrying out traditional floor malting, maturation and bottling. It produces the most hand made whisky in Scotland.

In accepting the award Hedley thanked the BBI and explained that on the sudden unexpected death of his father, he rashly offered to look after the day to day running of the family Company until someone else was found. Forty six years later, the fact is that the shareholders have not yet been able to find a replacement. After quickly making up his mind what he would like the Company to achieve Hedley stated the reason that his small Company still survives is due to a refusal to accept what seemed to be obvious to others amongst which included the advocacy of bottled single malt whisky.

David Holmes of Shepherd Neame proposed the toast to the BBI and responding to the toast, the National Chairman, Colin Barker, thanked the main sponsors for the event Logoplaste UK and Quinn Glass, and also for contributions from Highland Spring and the Vintners Livery Company. Colin then referred to the significant changes the Institute has gone through during the last twelve months. The positions of National Chairman and General Secretary have now been made permanent and new arrangements for the administration of the Institute is being organised through a BBI Management Team. Colin noted that the Institute is most appreciative of the efforts of John Yates in taking over the General Secretary role. The BBI had a stand at the PPMA Show and also organized a series of very successful visits to prestigious companies during the last twelve months and Colin thanked these companies for their contribution. Colin paid tribute to the hard work put in by the Section Co-coordinators Jeremy Browne, Colin Clellend, and, Brian Gibbs, in organising these visits. Colin also expressed thanks to Andrew Broadbent for organising the Dinner acknowledging the hard work that has to be put in to make such an event a success.

A presentation was made to Cedric Pettitt who has retired from the BBI Council after 23 years of service including a spell of being the BBI Chairman.

On responding to a toast to BBI Guests Simon Jackson, Director, Institute of Brewing and Distilling gave a comprehensive review of the Drinks Industry.

Taking Brewing first, Simon reflected that in the off trade Session lager is faring better than premium lager. Session lager has seen the biggest application of product development. In response to this we are seeing stronger branding of cask ales and growth of the bigger brands is occurring. The Beer market is also responding with innovation and increased through the line and above the line marketing activity. So the beer market in the UK continues to be challenging both from the change in channel volume and in input pricing On the subject of innovation Simon mentioned the regeneration of Cider by clever marketing and innovation. The success clearly reflects that if you have good insight and good marketing/innovation then there remains significant upside in the long drinks market to create new volume and value.

The Scotch Whisky industry continues to enjoy a renaissance in export markets and is looking at the performance of materials right across their extended supply chains and seeking the best balance of quality cost and environmental considerations. With regard to Soft Drinks the big picture is the move away from carbonated drinks and the growth of still soft drinks and of adult soft drinks. The main areas of development are, low/no sugar products, high fruit/super fruit, flavour extensions and water and water extensions. There are opportunities for the soft drinks sector to compete more aggressively in the On trade.

Simon outlined the issues to be faced in the future: Smoking Ban – summer next year in England and Wales, Legislation, Consumer awareness ever increasing, The supply chain, Environmental issues and Sustainability.

In summarising Simon confidently stated that “There are challenges but by the skilful deployment of Innovation, NPD and by having highly skilled and well trained employees the market will continue to offer good things for us all.”

Simon Jackson, John Yates and Hedley Wright

The evening was rounded off by the appearance of Adger Brown, one of the most versatile comedians on the mainstream circuit of cabaret and variety, and whose slick and bawdy humour was very much enjoyed.

For full results of the British Bottlers’ Institute Ales, Lagers, Cider, Fabs and English and Welsh Wines Competition please visit BBI News on www.bbi.org.uk

To contact our sponsors please visit:

Logoplaste....... http://www.logoplaste.pt
Quinn Glass...... http://www.quinn-group.com

To contact supporters of the BBI Gala Awards Dinner please visit:

Vintners Hall......................................... http://www.vintnershall.co.uk
Institute of Brewing and Distilling.... http://www.ibd.org.uk

Brian Gibbs Highland Spring.................................... http://www.highland-spring.com