Three Tuns Brewery in Bishop's Castle wins at the Great British Food Awards

Beer has been brewed at the Three Tuns in Bishop's Castle since 1642, and the historic brewery in the south-west Shropshire town is still collecting prizes. At the 2026 Great British Food Awards it won Silver for its Solstice beer and Bronze for Castle Embers.

The awards are among the country's best-known food and drink competitions, with several rounds of judging. Entries are first shortlisted by expert panellists before the finalists are sampled by category and celebrity judges, who this year included Raymond Blanc, Cherish Finden, Paul A Young, Nisha Katona and Adam Handling.

Three Tuns was one of a handful of Shropshire producers among the winners, alongside Wyndford Wagyu, Fordhall Organic Farm, Belton Farm and Ludlow Distillery. Head of awards Jenny O'Neill said entries were higher than ever in 2026 and that every winner should feel incredibly proud. "I'd encourage everyone to go out and support these delicious businesses, run by people who clearly care about what they do," she said.

The brewery's story is rooted in its building. Its beer is brewed in a classic miniature Victorian tower brewery, where the brew is moved by gravity, and it begins its journey in the original Grade II listed brewhouse, which is now the fermentation room. There the yeast is added, a strain the brewery says has been developed over the last 125 years.

The brewery describes itself as committed to brewing on site, and it has carried out extensive refurbishment over the last decade to keep that heritage alive.

Castle Embers, one of the two winners, is part of its autumn range, while the core line-up covers traditional real ales sold in bottles and cans as well as on draught.

The win adds to a strong year for food and drink in the Bishop's Castle area and a long tradition of brewing in a town that has been making beer for almost four centuries.

Three Tuns ales can be bought online through the Three Tuns Brewery website, which also tells the story of the brewery and lists its seasonal beers.