John Keeling, the former head brewer and now global ambassador, has been adorned with the ‘Silver Tankard’ Lifetime Achievement Award by SIBA.

Buster Grant, chairman of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA), commented: “John Keeling’s commitment and passion for quality beer is evident to anyone that meets him, and his work for one of the UK’s most iconic brewers over the last 40 years has seen him dust off the brewing records and revive historic recipes as well as look to the future, inviting some of Britain’s finest independent brewers to join him at the mash tun.

“A fervent defender of the lunchtime pint, the winner of this year’s lifetime achievement award is not only an extremely worthy recipient, but someone we’d recommend you grab a beer with.”

The award could have marked a SIBA double-whammy for Fuller’s on the Thursday of the Liverpool event (15th March) however members of the body voted against proposed changes to its membership charter.

The motion that which was voted down by three votes (66 to 63) had suggested raising the body’s membership threshold from its current 200,000hl to 437,340hl.

As a result, breweries such as St Austell and Fuller’s are unable to join the body.

Commenting on his award, Keeling said: “I’ve dedicated my life to brewing great beer – and I’ve loved every second of it – so being recognised for doing something you enjoy is a double delight.

“I’d like to think that in some small way I’ve helped and inspired a number of the craft brewers who are producing such interesting beers today.

“It’s over 40 years since I first set foot in a Brewery and some 37 years since I joined Fuller’s. Reg Drury, the legendary former Fuller’s Head Brewer, was instrumental in my success and I hope, and am confident, that I have passed the same degree of knowledge and passion on to Georgina Young and the next generation of brewers at Fuller’s.”