All Party Beer Group honours Beer Academy Sommelier

The All Party Parliamentary Beer Group presented its award for the "Beer Sommelier of the Year" to Sophie Atherton at the Annual Beer Awards dinner held in Westminster.
Commenting on the Award, Andrew Griffiths MP, Chairman of the Group, said "The Beer Academy launched its Sommelier qualification less than two years ago and already forty aficionados have achieved this ultimate beer qualification. They are doing a great job bringing beer to life to people who may have forgotten just how diverse and versatile our national drink can be.
"I am delighted that the Beer Group's Beer Sommelier of the Year award is awarded to Sophie Atherton, who has been tireless in her mission to bring the beer message to the widest possible audience; whether it be in her articles for the Guardian, via her beer blog a "FemAle View" or being interviewed for Radio 4. Sophie says that her ambition is to encourage others to love the best drink in the world as much as she does herself. And she's making a pretty fine job of it!"

Photo caption: Sophie Atherton receives her award from Andrew Griffiths MP.

The Beer Academy is an educational body that was founded by a small group of beer enthusiasts in 2003 to help people understand, appreciate and enjoy beer sensibly. To date over 10,000 people have attended Beer Academy courses and tasting events such as the BBC Good Food Show, the Great British Beer Festival and the British Museum as well as in pubs and bars up and down the country. The Academy offers a range of courses and qualifications ranging from a 90 minute tutored introduction to beer through to the two day Advanced Course for serious beer connoisseurs. Full details of all Beer Academy Courses and events can be found www.beeracademy.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @TheBeerAcademy and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beer-Academy/411889238846208