St Austell’s brewing director has said she is ‘made up’ after bagging two beer industry awards.

Georgina Young took away the Brewer of the Year award at this year’s Guild of Beer Writer awards as well as receiving a Lifetime Achievement award at the Brewer’s Congress in October.

Georgina, who joined St Austell Brewery in 2019 after leaving her role as head brewer at Fuller’s was one of the six brewers shortlisted and was the first up to receive her award. She said: “I am made up by this award. I couldn’t do any of this without my great team and everyone at the brewery. We work for an amazing business.”

Falmouth Packet: Georgina at the brewer's congress earlier this year Georgina at the brewer's congress earlier this year (Image: St Austell Brewery)Georgina’s win was preceded by the Lifetime Achievement award presented to her at the Brewer’s Congress earlier this year. The award recognises a brewer who has shaped the industry, supported others around them and strengthened the UK brewing scene.

The award was even more special for Georgina, as it was named in honour of St Austell’s late head brewer, Roger Ryman – Georgina’s good friend and mentor.

On receiving her Lifetime Achievement award, Georgina added: “It’s a huge honour to have won the award, and it’s the perfect homage to Roger.

“The brewing industry is really special, so it’s wonderful to be recognised. I have had huge support during my career, from Fuller’s and John Keeling as well as everyone at St Austell.”

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 Georgina’s career began in her hometown of Bristol, at Smiles Brewery where she learnt from the floor upwards – starting in the lab before progressing to shift brewing. She then moved to Brewing Research International (now Camden BRI) to run the pilot brewing facilities.

Falmouth Packet: Georgina among other award winners Georgina among other award winners (Image: St Austell Brewery)In 1999, Georgina joined Fuller’s as a production brewer under the wing of brewing director, John Keeling. During her time at Fuller’s, she installed a new tank farm to increase fermentation capacity beers, such as Gales HSB and Prize Old Ale, and developed new beers such as Honeydew as well as a selection of seasonals.

In May 2019, Georgina joined St Austell Family Group as the head brewer for Hare Brewery, optimising the new brewing and bottling facilities which had been installed the year before. Fermentation capacity increased to 50,000 barrels by the end of 2019, with the installation of further kits. Georgina introduced a second shift and went on to install a new kegger and robotic palletiser.

Georgina has also been the Chairman of the Southern Section of the IBD and is currently a director at Cask Marque and a member of the Worshipful Company of Brewers.