Some of the medalists. Left to right, back row, are: Adam Dale, Round Corner Brewing; Bill Taylor, chairman of judging; Brian Yorston, Daniel Thwaites; and Stephanie Brindley, Round Corner Brewing. Left to right, front row: David Nicholls, Moa Brewing Company; a representative from Aspall Cyder; and Ivo Odentha, Krönleins Bryggeri AB.
Organisers have announced medal winners in the International Brewing and Cider Awards, certifying 133 beers and ciders as among the best in the world.
The winners ranged from small craft breweries from all corners of the globe to well-known brands such as Sierra Nevada, Samuel Adams, Camden Town, Deschutes, Fuller’s and Big Drop.
Meanwhile, successful cider winners included Sheppy’s. Aspall’s, Angry Orchards and Strongbow, among many smaller craft brands from Somerset, England, to Camino, Calfornia.
The competition — attracting entries from more than 200 breweries and cider mills from around the world — was judged by an international panel of 50 judges.
Over 1,000 beers and ciders from 50 countries were submitted for judging, which took place over an intensive three-day period.
Judging categories ranged from ultra-low-ABV beers to high-strength styles, showcasing the versatility and variety found in modern brewing.
Cider categories included different fruit varieties, hopped and ice ciders, as well as judging across sweet and dry styles.
London presentation
The awards will culminate with the medal presentations at London’s Guildhall, where members of the international brewing and cider-making community will come together to discover and celebrate the 2019 trophy winners.
Ruth Evans MBE, director of Brewing Technology Services, which oversees the awards, said:“It brings me great pleasure to announce the medal winners, and no small measure of pride to be involved in our fantastic industry.
“These awards are a bastion of excellence, and we are always sincerely impressed by the talent of the medal winners. With each round of awards, the standards are pushed ever higher. Competition is fierce, and receiving a medal is an achievement to be truly proud of. My congratulations to all!”
Chairman of judging, Bill Taylor, added: “Being chairman of judging has been such a privilege. My thanks go out to my fellow judges, and to all those who are involved in organising these incredible awards, especially our technical installation team.
“We pride ourselves on ensuring that the integrity of any product submitted remains in peak condition, and that it is dispensed to our judges at the brewers’ and cider makers’ recommended temperature. Judging and sampling the quality of entries has been a wonderful experience, and we have been blown away by the brewing and cider-making talent that we have witnessed.”
• The full list of medal winners can be found on the International Brewing and Cider Awards website
