CIBD celebrates 140 years
Today (17 March), CIBD celebrates its 140th anniversary.
For 140 years, the Institute has brought together professionals from across the brewing, distilling and allied industries to share knowledge, develop technical expertise and build lasting connections.
To mark the occasion, we invited our Sections to share a favourite memory or moment that reflects what the Institute means to them.
Thank you to our Sections and members for being part of the Institute’s journey.
Africa Section
“What I value most is celebrating academic achievement in the brewing industry and recognising those who have helped steer the Institute to become a leading organisation in brewing and distilling education.” - Alastair J L Kennedy, BSc., Master Brewer (CIBD), FCIBD. Secretary and Treasurer – Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers - Africa Section
Photos from the Africa section dinner held in 2019, celebrating 9 new Diploma Brewers, a new Master Brewer, the Section’s first female Fellow, and a member marking 60 years of membership of the Institute.
Southern Section
“Apart from passing the Master Brewer exams in 1989, which changed the course of my career, I also remember the Institute’s 125th Anniversary Dinner, where I met up with many old friends and colleagues — including past President Peter Ashworth, who had previously been my Production Director during my development.” - Steve Wilkinson, CIBD Southern Section committee member and past secretary.
Midland Section
"This photo is from my first Africa Convention, which showed me the Global reach and network of the IBD (now CIBD) and helped me learn about the commonalities and local differences in brewing across the globe. It expanded my network and opened my eyes to Africa as a developing beer market.
CIBD events are also about bringing people together and enjoyment – what could be better than being driven on local scooter to the Closing Dinner via 2 laps of the Hotel grounds where our hosts seemed to be racing each other with scant regard for Health and Safety! We all survived, but yes I am clinging on to Jens Voigt (Trier University) there for moral support!" - David Cook, CIBD Board Trustee, Professor of Brewing Science at the University of Nottingham
Great Northern Section
“The IBD/CIBD annual dinners are always superb events bringing friends, colleagues and new contacts together often in grand surroundings. I have been to many during my 30 years in the brewing industry.
As Chair, taking on the responsibility of organising the annual dinner in 2025 for the Great Northern Section was a huge honour, and I enjoyed choosing the location, venue, meal, guest speaker and how the evening would look in Harrogate. Offering whisky as well as beer for the first time was well received, and it was wonderful to have a table of distillers in attendance for the first time at the Great Northern Section dinner. Celebrating exam successes and seeing younger members starting to flourish is always a joy.
I found the whole experience uplifting, and standing at the front of a room full of peers to make a speech was both scary and exhilarating. I would encourage everyone to get involved it if the opportunity arises.” - Beth Eaton, Chair of the Great Northern Section and Sales Manager North of England and Scotland at Charles Faram & Co
Scottish Section
"I was asked to join the Scottish Section Committee in 2014 and was fortunate enough to meet some incredible people on the committee.
This picture is our Scottish Section Committee from our Section Dinner in 2016, but what stands out for me are the relationships made with these fellow professionals, some with one or two years experience as well as some very senior and respected leaders in the brewing and distilling industries.
This network of relationships is one of the cornerstones of the CIBD which continues on even after 140 years!
Here's to the next 140 years!" - Ken Duncan, Scottish Section secretary, Lead Distiller at Strathearn Distillery
International Section
"This is a great memory of our first ‘IBD Day’ in Chile. We then held it in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and again in Chile. The event's objective was to bring together brewers who have already been certified by the GCB with those interested in becoming certified in the future. The day featured talks of interest to local brewers, including updates on malts, hops, yeasts, packaging and filling solutions, clarifiers, and beer networking." - Ricardo Solís Ibacache, CIBD Learning Partner for Iberoamerica, Head Brewer at Priory Brewing
Asia Pacific Section
"Having the opportunity to serve as President and represent the interests of the organisation has been the greatest honour of my involvement with CIBD, and will remain one of my most special memories.
In particular, presenting at the Asia Pacific Convention in Hobart last year (2025) as President was incredibly meaningful — especially as Hobart was also the location of the first Asia Pacific Convention I attended, back in 2006. It brought back many memories." - Megan Sheehy, CIBD Immediate Past President, General Manager – Classification at Grains Australia
