Swansea business crowned at Wales Business Awards 2022

Swansea-based Drop Bear Beer Co. is celebrating after scooping two awards at the highly anticipated Wales Business Awards 2022 last night (June 9).

The multi-award-winning brewer of 0.5% ABV craft beer, took home the awards for Green Business of the Year as well as Young Entrepreneur of the Year, at the ceremony, hosted by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, held at St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff.

Drop Bear Beer Co. Founder Joelle Drummond was crowned Young Entrepreneur of the Year, with judges saying she ‘encapsulated everything you would want to see in a young entrepreneur – creating a product and a brand with a purpose while overcoming bias.’

The company also took home the Green Business of the Year award. Judges noted that ‘sustainability is part of their DNA from the very start’ and called the company ‘a new dynamic business with a clear purpose and commitment and great beer!’.

Joelle Drummond, Director of Sales & Marketing at Drop Bear Beer Co, said: “We are elated to have won two awards: Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Green Business of the Year. As a Welsh business, to have ‘home’ recognition of our hard work and key values including sustainability is really special.”

Drop Bear Beer’s award success comes hot on the heels of news that the Swansea company’s products are to be stocked by supermarket giant Tesco.

Now in its 19th year, the awards provide SME businesses across the country with the opportunity to compete for Wales’ most prestigious accolades.

Over 180 entries from businesses from across Wales were whittled down to 10 winners across the 10 categories, plus an overall Wales Business of the Year, which went to Rhondda Cynon Taff based Penderyn Distillery.

Other winners on the night included Wales Interactive, Makefast Ltd, Purolite, Catsci Ltd, EverTrek, Aspen Waite in Wales Limited, City Hospice and Watkins & Gunn Solicitors.

Paul Slevin, President of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “What a night for Welsh business. There was such a buzz in the room, and it was great to see so many businesses celebrating their success and all they have done to support the Welsh economy.

“The judges had an incredibly tough time deciding on the winners for each of the categories, which just goes to show the quality of the entrants this year.

“We wanted to do things a bit differently this year, and to crown our very worthy winners at St Fagans, Wales’ most popular heritage attraction, was truly special. The event wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the support of our sponsors, to whom we’re extremely grateful.”

This year, Avast Business supported the Wales Business Awards as headline sponsor. Also supporting the awards were sponsors: University of South Wales, Welsh Government, NPTC Group of Colleges, CGI, Atradius, Euroclad Group, Aspen Waite, Metro Bank, Blake Morgan and Jardine Norton.