Brewers and cider makers from 21 countries have received accolades in the International Brewing & Cider Awards 2017, as the winners of 125 medals were announced after three days of judging in Burton-upon-Trent.
Medals were awarded to beers and ciders from all over the world – Europe, Australasia, the Far East, North and South America – and to producers from a broad spectrum, from regional microbrewers and artisan cider makers to multinational companies.
The 45 judges assessed more than 1,100 beers and ciders – an uplift of 15% on the last competition, held in 2015. The Awards are unique in requiring that all judges are currently working as brewers or cider makers, who select the winners through a consensus approach.
Chair of judges Bill Taylor said, “The list of medal winners reflects both the quality and diversity of beers and ciders entered into the competition. Judges put in long hours assessing and debating the merits of the products to select the winners and the final list is an impressive showcase for the very best in brewing and cider making around the world.”
One of the key criteria for judging at the International Brewing & Cider Awards is consideration of a product’s commercial worth. Several of this year’s first-time judges praised this requirement, including Oliver Wesseloh of Kreativ Brewery in Hamburg, who said, “The winning beers here are the ones that, once tasted, you would order again, or recommend to a friend. It’s a different approach to many other competitions.”
The Gold, Silver and Bronze medal winners announced in Burton will collect their medals at an Awards luncheon held at London Guildhall on 26 April, when the 10 overall Championship winners – nine beers and one cider – will be unveiled.
To view the list of all 2017 medal winners, visit www.brewingawards.org
International Cask Ale Competition
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Cask Ale 2.9% – 3.8% ABV
GOLD: Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth
SILVER: Light Munro, Swannay Brewery, Swannay, Orkney
BRONZE: Hop, Purity Brewing Company, Alne
Class 2 for Cask Ale 3.9% – 4.3% ABV
GOLD: Sunset, Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe
SILVER: Liberation Ale, Liberation Brewery, Jersey
BRONZE: Old Man, Long Man Brewery, Littlington
Class 3 for Cask Ale 4.4% – 4.8% ABV
GOLD: East Coast Pale Ale, Shepherd Neame Ltd, Faversham
SILVER: Otherside IPA, York Brewery Ltd, York
BRONZE: Pale Ale, Swannay Brewery, Orkney
Class 4 for Cask Ale 4.9% – 6.9% ABV
GOLD: 13 Guns, Daniel Thwaites plc, Blackburn, Lancashire
SILVER: IPA, Brewster’s Brewing Co, Grantham, Lincolnshire
BRONZE: Old Nogg, Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth