Members of the Brewers Association, which supports independent US brewers, have enjoyed success at two major beer competitions.
Members of the association’s Export Development Program (EDP) picked up 32 medal at the Brussels Beer Challenge. There were eight golds, 13 silvers, and 11 bronze medals. Cigar City Brewing’s Maduro Brown Ale was voted best American beer of the competition.
Jesse Kercheval, international manager at Cigar City Brewing, said: “We are very appreciative to have two beers win gold at the 2021 Brussels Beer Challenge. Maduro Brown Ale and Guayabera Citra Pale Ale are two of our favorite recipes, and to have them selected among 1,800 beers from around the globe means the world to everyone at our brewery.
“Earning the title of best American beer for Maduro Brown Ale is quite a feat, and we know that the gold medals will help grow the renown for these beers and for our brewery both internationally and in the US. Cheers!”
Ben Roesch, founder/brewmaster of Wormtown Brewery, added: “Wormtown Brewery is honored to have won medals at the 2021 Brussels Beer Challenge, in particular, a gold medal for Be Hoppy. Through the efforts of the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program we are able to enter and compete in the most prestigious competitions in the world.
“International recognition from industry peers is welcome acknowledgement of the detailed attention and hard work the Wormtown team puts in every day. We look forward to marketing and promoting this win, and exploring the possibility of exporting medal winning beers in the future.”
Strong performances
At the European Beer Star Awards, EDP members won 18 medals: five gold, four silver, and nine bronze.
Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association American craft beer ambassador for Europe, said: “The strong performance of American craft beer at prestigious, international beer competitions is testimony to its word-class quality, and the skill, expertise and creativity of American craft brewers.
“The standard was extremely high in both competitions, and I am very proud of all EDP members who took home medals. American craft brewers have an enviable reputation around the globe for producing innovative, exciting and high-quality beers.
“Winning medals at international competitions such as Brussels Beer Challenge and European Beer Star underpins that reputation and provides a valuable point of difference in today’s competitive market place.”
