A total of 138 medal and trophy winners have been announced at the International Brewing & Cider Awards, taking place this week at the National Brewery Centre, in Burton-upon-Trent.
Some of the awards judges outside the National Brewery Centre
Brewers and cider-makers from 24 countries received accolades. Some 126 medals and 12 trophies were awarded to beers and ciders from all over the world. There were entrants from Australia, China, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, USA and the UK.
Timothy Taylor’s was named gold medal and overall trophy winner in the international dark beer competition at the International Brewing and Cider Awards 2021, for its Poulter’s Porter.
Nine beer trophy winners were announced, which included winners from Japan and Malta. Tokyo-based Spring Valley Brewery’s Juicy Hop won speciality beer, while Ise Kadoya Beer, also from Japan, won the strong beer award for its Nou ga Trokeru Ultra Heaven 3xIPA.
Malta-based Simonds Farsons Cisk won the no- and low-alcohol category for its Cisk 0.0. Other trophy winners included Yorkshire’s Elvington Brewery (keg lager) and Jersey’s Liberation Brewing Co (cask conditioned ale).
In the cider awards, Sheppy’s Vintage Cloudy Cider, from Taunton-based Sheppy’s Cider, won the International Classic Cider Trophy, while overseas entries triumphed in the other two trophy categories.
Sidewood Estate, from South Australia picked up the International Flavoured Cider Trophy for its Strawberry Apple Cider, while Ramborn Cider, from Luxembourg, won the International Innovative Cider Award for its Ramborn Ice Perry.
The competition, which dates back to 1886, has a long history of championing the world’s best brewers and cider-makers.
Judging took place between 16th and 18th November at the National Brewery Centre, in Burton-upon-Trent, and comprised working professionals in the brewing and cider-making industries from across the globe. The judges were led by chair of beer judging, Rob McCaig, and chair of cider judging, Gabe Cook.
Rob McCaig, chair of beer judges
Ruth Evans MBE, director of the International Brewing and Cider Awards, said: “It’s been an honour to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary beers and ciders that both brewers and cider-makers have worked so hard to produce during what has been such a difficult 18 months for the industry.
“Despite being forced to postpone the awards due to the pandemic, our brewing and cider community across the globe rallied together and continued to produce outstanding and innovative produce, and it’s this determination and success that’s worth celebrating.
“I’d like to personally thank all the judges, as well as all the brewers and cider-makers who entered their products and make this year’s awards one to remember, and we’re delighted to reward the best of them with the recognition they so truly deserve.”
Rob McCaig said: “For three days, we have seen and tasted some of the very best beers from around the world, crowning winners from all corners of the globe.
“Despite what has been probably the most challenging period in recent memory for the brewing industry, producers from around the world have presented some exceptional beers, ales, and lagers.
“It has made the job of our judging panel extremely difficult because of the quality of the beers. Japan is proving itself as an evolving brewing nation, producing quality products across the beer spectrum.”
Gabe Cook, chair of the cider judges
Gabe Cook, chair of cider judging, said: “It has been a privilege to be able to chair the most important and prestigious competition of its kind for the cider industry.
“We have welcomed international judges, including representatives from America, Ireland, and Japan, and the UK, to preside over world-class entries from across the world.
“Consumers’ palates are becoming more discerning and, as we have seen other drinks categories expand and diversify, the same is true for cider. Cider-makers are expanding their offer and we have seen some remarkable examples these last three days.
“To crown winning ciders from the likes of Canada, China, Luxembourg and Switzerland — nations not widely known for their cider production — shows how the category is increasing its international footprint and growing in popularity.”
This year, new categories were announced to reflect key trends that have emerged in the beer and cider markets since the last event in 2019. In the beer competition, a new zero-alcohol category was added to reflect the growth and interest in this market segment, and in the cider competition a rosé category has been added to reflect the growing trend for ‘pink’ ciders.
The gold, silver, and bronze winners will collect their medals and trophies at an awards luncheon to be held on 6th April, 2022.
• A full list of all 2021 medal and trophy winners can be found here.
