Eddie Gadd, the pioneering founder and head brewer of Gadds’ The Ramsgate Brewery, has been named the Brewer of the Year 2026 by the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group (APPBG).
The accolade was presented to Eddie during the APPBG’s annual beer awards dinner at Westminster an event attended by MPs, peers, and leading figures from across the British drinks sector.
The award, decided by a panel including representatives from the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA), celebrates Eddie’s unwavering commitment to independent cask ale culture, regional heritage, and local agriculture.
Chair of the APPBG and Labour MP for Gower, Tonia Antoniazzi, representing the parliamentary judging panel, praised Eddie for his championing of local ingredients, leadership within the beer community, his role as a mentor to up-and-coming brewers, his career-long commitment to standard-setting quality, his vocal advocacy for the independent brewing sector, and his loyalty to his employees.
Eddie started the brewery in 2002 and has spent over two decades establishing Gadds’ East Kent local ales as a benchmark for quality. He is widely recognized for his dedication to using Kentish hops wherever possible, actively safeguarding the region’s historic hop-growing industry.
An engineer at heart, Eddie has installed a pioneering CO2 recovery plant, which is considered a feat of engineering for a small 5000hl brewery, and the first of its kind in the UK. He has embraced and championed sustainability more broadly, including installing solar panels at the brewery and helping other brewers to brew more responsibly.
Commenting on the achievement, Eddie Gadd said: “To be recognised by Parliament and our industry peers is an incredible honour. This award isn’t just for me; it’s a testament to our fantastic team at the brewery and the brilliant Kentish hop growers who make our beer possible. Independent cask ale is a vital part of British culture, and we will keep fighting to keep it thriving.”
Congratulating Eddie, Polly Billington MP for East Thanet, added: “This is a brilliant accomplishment for you and the team at Gadds’. I’m so proud of your achievement and the great work at Gadds’ Brewery.”
