Red Kellie, the co-founder of Bellingham’s The First & Last Brewery, has been recognised as brewer of the year during a recent awards ceremony.
Kellie, who graced the cover of The Brewers Journal earlier this year, was recognised for her work in small-batch craft brewing and her innovative work alongside the rest of the team at The First & Last Brewery, using hyper-local, foraged Northumberland ingredients, and their current 10th anniversary beer range.
She sealed the accolade at the Women in Beer Awards 2026, in a category that also included Laura Gillott (Thornbridge Brewery), Kate Hyde (Hand Brew Co.), and Georgina Young (St Austell Brewery).
Red Kellie said: “The Women in Beer Awards are such a wonderful celebration of all of the work going on up and down the country by women in every aspect of the brewing and beer community.
“I met so many inspiring women at the event! It was such a massive surprise to win, and at the same time a really proud moment to celebrate all that is special about what we do at First & Last.”
Bound by a love of fermentation and foraged ingredients, First & Last Brewery is inspired by the wild, untamed landscape and dark skies of northumberland. Founded by Red and Sam Kellie in 2016, the duo has created a community asset to be proud of.
