Abernethy Butter’s fame for outstanding taste and quality spreads in Britain
Abernethy Butter, now based in Craigavon, has been named among Britain’s very best foods in a major annual awards.
The artisan producer of gourmet butters has been chosen as the regional winner for Northern Ireland in the awards judged by an experienced food and drink experts in the annual Great British Food Awards.
The company, which was acquired by Peter Hannan of Hannan Meats of Moira, a great champion of local artisan foods, last year, was recognised for its “dedication to sustainability, local sourcing, and the production of high-quality artisan butter” in the prestigious food and drink awards.
Abernethy’s Paul Clarke says: “This is a marvellous endorsement of the quality and taste for our butters in one of our most significant markets and should assist as we seek to grow sales there in the years ahead.”
The judges highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability and its dedicated support of local dairying. It uses milk exclusively from local farms. The company won the award for its unique cep miso butter, a softened butter with miso paste, a traditional Japanese fermented soybean paste, also a UK Great Taste winner.
The Great British Food Awards were launched in 2014 to celebrate the very best artisanal produce in the food and drink industry, from flavoured gins and high-quality sausages to artisan breads and undeniably good cheeses.
It aims to highlight the very best the United Kingdom has to offer and give producers the chance to stand out from the crowd. The judging panel comprises some of the most acclaimed chefs, food critics and influencers in the country, and each product undergoes a rigorous judging process before the winners are crowned.
The small company is known for its artisan, slow-churned butter made using high-quality Co Down cream and handcrafted techniques.
Other winners include a gold award for Burren Balsamics of Richhill, Co Armagh. There was also success in major Irish food awards for Portrush’s Irish Black Butter.
Alastair Bell, the founder of the artisan business was named Savoury Producer of the Year 2025 in the influential Good Ireland Awards 2025 held this week at the K Club, near Dublin. Fish City in Belfast won the Tourism Sustainably Award for restaurants. Underground Restaurant in Bangor was named Food Lovers’ Choice Northern Ireland.