Scotland’s first beard care company, Braw Beard, hosts international beard contest

24th January 2023 BWM Staff

Scotland’s first beard care company, Braw Beard, which was founded by former graphic designer John Jackson 10 years ago, has unveiled plans for its 5^th international beard and moustache championship on the 18th February in Glasgow’s Drygate Brewery, which will also be a fundraiser for Chris’s House Suicide Awareness charity.

The hairiest party in the country, which is the only one of its kind in Scotland, has welcomed over 1200 visitors from around the world over the years.

This year it is set to hit record numbers, as people are expected to travel from as far as Georgia, USA and Norway to take part in the 14 category championships, which range from Under 4” Beard and Over 12” Styled Beard to Fake Beard and Freestyle Beard and Best Ginger Beard, with over 70% of tickets already sold.

John launched the first live championship in 2017 which ran annually until February 2020 just before the first lockdown. This year he’ll be marking the return of the event, which will be the 5^th, with live music, a merchandise stand and a mission to raise funds through a raffle and awareness for the charity, Chris’s House Suicide Awareness, which is close to his heart. Local artist Tragic O’Hara will also be donating a one-off piece of artwork in the raffle.

John said: “After three years off due to the pandemic, we are looking forward to welcoming both competitors and spectators back to Scotland’s only Braw Beard and Moustache Championships.

“There’s always a great atmosphere at the event where everyone shares a common appreciation for facial hair, attracting competitors from around the world, which is something we are very proud to be part of.

“Each year we’ve organised a charity raffle for a different organisation, including Cahonas Scotland Testicular Cancer Charity – this year we’re delighted to be able to donate funds at the event for Chris’s House Suicide Awareness charity, to help people who are struggling with their mental health.

“Everyone I speak to seems to know someone who has been taken too soon, which is why I want to spread awareness and raise funds for this amazing cause.”

Previous Freestyle winner Christian Feicht from Bayern, Germany says: “The Braw Beard Moustache Championship has been a top-notch event in the international beard circuit since it started in 2017, with the level of competition from people around the world dramatically increasing each year. I’m really looking forward to it, especially as it will also be an opportunity to raise money for such a brilliant charity.”

Danni McQuade from the Drygate Brewery Events Team says: “The Braw Beard and Moustache Championship has always been one of the highlights of our events calendar.

“We can’t wait see what hirsute wonders the competitors have been growing in the three years since the event has been able to go ahead.”

Along with the championships, rock band Battalion Of Flies will be playing a live set.

Categories will include:

Best Moustache – styled or natural, if there are enough entries, we may split into 2 categories. No beards allowed, all hair growing from more than 1.5 cm past the corner of the mouth must be shaved.
Best Partial Beard – from goatees, musketeers, amish, whaler, chinstraps to sideburns. * Patchy/very short beards do not qualify as partial beards *
Best Freestyle – anything goes, get creative, waxes, hairspray etc. Reckon you can create a thistle from your beard? Go for it.
Best Short Beard – For those with beards under 1 inch measured from the underside of the chin (the only category to measure this way). Any products go, such as sprays, waxes, oils & balms.
Best Under 4″ Natural – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is shorter than 4 inches, get entered in this category. No products at all, including oil.
Best Under 4″ Styled – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is shorter than 4 inches, get entered in this category. Any products go, such as sprays, waxes, oils & balms.
Best Over 4″ Natural – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is longer than 4 inches, get entered in this category. No products at all, including oil.
Best Over 4″ Styled – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is longer than 4 inches, get entered in this category. Any products go, such as sprays, waxes, oils & balms.
Best Over 8″ Natural – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is longer than 8 inches, get entered in this category. No products at all, including oil.
Best Over 8″ Styled – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is longer than 8 inches, get entered in this category. Any products go, such as sprays, waxes, oils & balms.
Best Over 12″ Natural – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is longer than 12 inches, get entered in this category. No products at all, including oil.
Best Over 12″ Styled – Measured from the bottom lip, if your beard is longer than 12 inches, get entered in this category. Any products go, such as sprays, waxes, oils & balms.
Best Ginger Beard – It’s in the name really, we’re proud of ginger hair in Scotland, flaunt it. Anything goes! Styled or natural.
Best Fake Beard – If you can’t grow a beard but are handy with the creativity, get involved and make one. From wool to head hair, lego to playing cards, there is no limit.