Black Square Russian Imperial Stout, the brainchild of St Austell Brewery’s brewing director Roger Ryman (pictured), has been named best stout at the 2019 International Beer Challenge.
A 60-strong panel of experts gathered in London to give their verdicts. The panel included retailers, importers, publicans, brewers, writers, and flavour analysts, and featured some of the world’s most renowned experts.
The awards received 900 entries from 38 countries, spanning traditional brewing nations like the UK, Germany, Belgium and the USA, plus new emerging markets like Paraguay, Myanmar and Taiwan.
First brewed in collaboration with Moscow’s New Riga’s brewery, Black Square won gold in the best stout or porter category. This award follows on from the championship trophy that the stout received earlier in the year for best strong beer at the International Brewing Awards 2019.
‘It’s great to see a Cornish brewer recognised globally’
Ryman said: “We’re so proud to have been awarded gold for Black Square. The awards we have received for this wonderful dark beer is thanks to the collaboration and innovation that the brewing team enjoys here at St Austell Brewery. It is great to see a local Cornish brewer recognised globally for the quality of its produce.”
Black Square was conceived and originally brewed alongside the team from the New Riga’s Brewery back in 2016. The award-winning partnership resulted in Black Square being released in keg into the Russian market. It quickly became one of New Riga’s best-loved craft ales and remains a best-seller to this day.
