St Ives is now home to the best independent beer and cider shop in the UK after the Filling Station picked up the "mind-blowing" prize at the prestigious Drinks Retailing Awards 2023.

The craft beer taproom and bottle shop has only been operating for 20 months but managed to beat off stiff competition from well-established beer shops in London and Manchester, which have been operating for years.

Matthew Kelly, an ex-Carlsberg executive, told the Hunts Post: "It's amazing and such a big deal.

The Hunts Post: Matthew Kelly and his team picking up their award at the Drinks Retailing Awards in London.Matthew Kelly and his team picking up their award at the Drinks Retailing Awards in London. (Image: The Drinks Retailing Awards 2023)

"It's the one that everyone wants to win because the judging is so rigorous; it's quite hard even to get nominated, so to win it is just phenomenal."

Mr Kelly and his team were crowned the UK's independent beer and cider retailer of the Year at a lavish awards ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel on Tuesday (February 7).

The Hunts Post: Matthew Kelly said the Filling Station is about supporting local breweries, supporting local shops and giving local people amazing draught beer.Matthew Kelly said the Filling Station is about supporting local breweries, supporting local shops and giving local people amazing draught beer. (Image: Newsquest)

Amongst craft beer royalty, the judges told Mr Kelly and his team that they were "head and shoulders" above the competition and loved their unique concept and ideas.

READ MORE: Filling Station 'over the moon' to make finals of national award

READ MORE: St Ives business crowned England's best gift shop at awards

Mr Kelly said their store's point of difference is the draught and refill angle, "which no one else does."

Operating from a converted 40ft shipping container in Abbey Retail Park, St Ives, the shop utilises US-style Beer growlers for sustainable refilling and has 10 ever-changing draught beer taps on their wall, utilising locally sourced products.

The Hunts Post: The interior of St Ives Filling Station which uses technology to pressure fill one and two litre glass Beer Growlers from a range of 10 ever changing draught beers on their Tap Wall.The interior of St Ives Filling Station which uses technology to pressure fill one and two litre glass Beer Growlers from a range of 10 ever changing draught beers on their Tap Wall. (Image: Newsquest)

The Hunts Post: The Filling Station in St Ives is located on Abbey Retail Park near Eric's Fish and Chips and Costa Coffee.The Filling Station in St Ives is located on Abbey Retail Park near Eric's Fish and Chips and Costa Coffee. (Image: Matthew Kelly)

When starting out the business, Mr Kelly said the purpose was to get people to drink better beer, and thanks to this award, the Filling Station can continue to do so and share its ideas and sustainability values with a wider audience.

Mr Kelly added: "We have always put the local community and other local breweries at the core of what we do, and to be recognised at the equivalent of the Oscars for the drinks industry, so early on in our journey, is truly an incredible achievement for this hard-working team and our loyal customers."

"The filling station wouldn't exist without the passion and love that all these customers have got for the beers we do. It's a real sense of community, and it's great."