A former fisherman with a passion for real ale has been judged Scotland's best young entrepreneur after the fledgling microbrewery he founded with a friend enjoyed a flying start.
A former fisherman with a passion for real ale has been judged Scotland's best young entrepreneur after the fledgling microbrewery he founded with a friend enjoyed a flying start.
James Watt, won top billing in this year's Livewire awards, sponsored by oil and gas giant Shell, in recognition of the success of the BrewDog venture he started with Martin Dickie last November.
While the Fraserburgh-based business only recently moved into commercial production facilities, BrewDog has already established a clientele for its beers including supermarket J Sainsbury, 80 pubs and buyers overseas.
BrewDog is shipping 10,000 bottles of its beers every week.
The success of the venture is a resounding vindication of the conviction shared by Watt and Dickie that there would be a big market for beers made with natural ingredients.
While ales are stereotypically seen as the preserve of middle-aged men, they believed younger drinkers would be ready to try products that were marketed to appeal to them.
The duo has developed a range of five beers which are made using only malt, water, hops and yeast, without any preservatives.
The flagship offering, Paradox, is a 10.5% proof stout that is matured in whisky casks.
The firm's website describes the 6% proof Punk IPA as a "postmodern classic pale ale".
Watt, 25, met Dickie while the two were pupils at Peterhead Academy.
The son of a fisherman, with a degree in law and economics, he spent two years working on his father's boat catching mackerel and herring before deciding to go into business.
Dickie studied brewing at Heriot Watt University before spending two years working as head brewer at Thornbridge brewery in Derbyshire.
The two men started BrewDog with £120,000 of savings and loans from bodies including Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust.
After scooping £3000 for winning the Scotland final, Watt will compete in the UK final of the Livewire awards later this month.
Glasgow-based Pauline Clifford's business Starsparkles sells the crystal-decorated shoes that have been seen on the feet of celebrities including Paris Hilton and Sir Tom Hunter. She won the £2000 second prize.
Meanwhile, ScottishPower was crowned large company of the year at the Scottish Business in the Community awards last night for its commitment to "greener" policies.
The company also won one of two celebratory Jubilee awards, given to companies that have delivered a long-term positive impact on communities.
Prince Charles, president of SBC, made a special address to celebrate the organisation's 25th anniversary.
Aberdeen-based charity Foyer Enterprise was social enterprise of the year, while food manufacturer Macphie of Glenbervie was voted SME of the year and achieved its second CommunityMark for its work with local schools and charities.
