CELEBRATING KEG CHAMPIONS
CHEERS TO REUSABLE KEGS.
And all the breweries, bars, pubs and restaurants out there for embracing the remarkable benefits reusable steel kegs and casks deliver:
SUSTAINABILITY
Keg Champions look for ways to operate sustainably and do a little good with every pull of a tap handle. That’s because steel kegs save ~4 BILLION single-use containers from waste streams each year in the UK alone!
EFFICIENCY
Keg Champions tap into the economic benefits of reusable containers by featuring draft beer. Kegs provide some of the highest contribution margins to the hospitality industry; economic support that’s more important now than ever!
FRESH EXPERIENCE
Keg Champions take pride in serving draft beer helping to create a fresh experience their consumers can’t get at home helping to drive traffic to pubs, bars and restaurants.
CONGRATULATIONS 2023 KEG CHAMPION RECIPIENTS
Thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination for our annual Keg Champion awards. With thousands of nominated breweries, bars, pubs and restaurants, it was a difficult decision. Every single entry deserves credit for supporting their customers and the planet by using reusable steel kegs. But we’re pleased to announce this year’s recipients and the charities they have selected to receive a £1000 donation! Let’s raise a glass to these amazing businesses and the reliable, shareable and sustainable steel keg!
NATIONAL PUB/RESTAURANT
Stonegate Group
Originally formed in 2010 with 333 pubs, Stonegate Group is now the largest pub company in the UK with a vast portfolio home to over 4,500 sites including iconic brands such as Slug & Lettuce, Walkabout and Be At One. Strongly believing the pub is the heart of the British culture, and investing in fantastic guest experiences and sustainable business practices, Stonegate is an undisputed leader in the hospitality industry. https://www.stonegategroup.co.uk
Selected Charity:
Motor Neuron Disease Association
REGIONAL RESTAURANT
Bundobust
Vibrant Indian street food served with craft beer on draft in friendly communal spaces, Bundobust now boasts five bustling locations in England. Their rapid growth is fueled by their sustainable ethos (consumers are surprised to learn that the meals are vegetarian only) and beer on tap produced fresh, nearby in the Bundobust brewery. They are worthy recipients of the coveted green keg!
https://bundobust.com
Selected Charity:
Platt Fields Market Garden
LOCAL RESTAURANT
St. John Restaurant Group
Draft beer not only thrives in British pubs, but in MICHELEN starred restaurants including world-renowned St. John Restaurant. Chef and author Fergus Henderson and his business partner Trevor Gulliver preside over this “breathtaking cult restaurant” (according to a recent review in the Financial Times). Their commitment to seamlessly blending both sustainable practices AND exceptional customer experiences into their operation is evident through their “Nose to Tail” cooking, and meticulously curated and served draft beer.
https://stjohnrestaurant.com
Selected Charity:
StreetSmart Action for the Homeless
LARGE BREWERY
Adnams Brewing Company
Adnams produces grain-to-glass beers using locally grown ingredients and has done for 150 years. They have received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, three times, marking them out at as one of the UK’s leading businesses for sustainable practices. As champions of sustainability in the brewing industry they are worthy recipients of an inaugural Keg Champion award.
https://adnams.co.uk
Selected Charity:
Adnams Community Trust
MID-SIZED BREWERY
Purity Brewing Co
Since 2005, Trail blazers Jim and Paul set out not only to produce great quality beer every time but to do it in a way that had the least impact on the environment. Sustainability has always been close to their hearts as they brew beer which is ‘crafted with a conscience’. Underpinned by their B-Corp accreditation, measured through their annual Carbon Emissions Report, recognised as the 3-time winner of the SIBA Green Business Award, and now celebrated with a Green Keg.
https://puritybrewing.com
Selected Charity:
Pancreatic Research Fund
SMALL BREWERY
Toast Ale
Since 2016, Toast Ale has brewed quality beers, while nudging positive action for the planet. Using surplus fresh bread (that would otherwise be wasted) in their brewing process, and donating all profits to charities fixing the food system. They were the first B-Corp certified brewery in the UK (plus the highest scoring) and now have gained global recognition as an inaugural Keg Champion!
https://www.toastale.com
Selected Charity:
Plant Life & City To Sea
DRAFT INNOVATION
The Tap House Notts
Just because draft beer in Ireland and the UK is steeped in tradition, and woven into the fabric of our communities, does not mean there’s no room for innovation. Look no further than self-pour technology early adopter Tap House Notts where customers can experience the feel of pouring a proper pint, an experience typically known only to the bartender.
https://thetaphousenotts.co.uk
Selected Charity:
Street Support Nottingham
AWARD PRESENTATIONS
RECOGNIZE A KEG CHAMPION
While the 2023 Keg Champions have been awarded, we want to continue to recognize ALL the amazing Keg Champions out there. If you own, work for, or are a fan of a company you believe is a Keg Champion, fill out the form below and we’ll send them a FREE Keg Champion Recognition package to help share the power of kegs with everyone. (while supplies last)
FREE Downloadable Artwork & POS
Logo Package
Poster
Social Media Graphics
Sticker File
Window Cling File
JOIN THE REFILL REVOLUTION
The Steel Keg Association is excited to partner with City to Sea and their Refill campaign, offering guilt-free draft beer by promoting reusable steel kegs over unnecessary single-use kegs, cans, and bottles. A switch that can save 10 billion single-use containers from waste streams in the UK and the US alone! City to Sea is a not-for-profit organisation campaigning to stop plastic pollution at source.
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