The North West region’s independent breweries made a splash on 3rd October 2025 at the SIBA Indie Beer Awards, where Bank Top Brewery (in Bolton) claimed the top honour in cask with their Hercules strong brown ale, and Big Trip Brewery (Manchester) secured the keg crown with their bold New England IPA, WTAF.

Bank Top’s Hercules, with 6.5% ABV, impressed judges with nutty caramel complexity, balanced by aromatic spice notes. In accepting the award, brewery co-founder Ben Sweeney noted the honour felt particularly sweet, as the brewery had already taken a national gold earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, Big Trip’s WTAF won in the keg category, offering juicy notes of pineapple, mango and peach flavoury, expertly emerging from a blend of modern American hops. Big Trip expressed excitement at being recognised among fierce regional competition: “To be acknowledged in our own backyard means everything,” said lead brewer Simon Chantler.

The awards show the vibrancy and creativity of indie brewing in the UK. As SIBA oversees them, winners now advance to the national finals at BeerX UK in Liverpool in early 2026.

In parallel with their successes, both breweries are expected to feature their award winners at local beer festivals in the coming months, giving fans across the region a chance to taste the acclaimed brews on tap.