Brewers and cidermakers from around the world gathered at London’s Guildhall on 26 April, for the unveiling of the championship winners in the International Brewing & Cider Awards for 2017.
Trophies were awarded to nine brewers and one cidermaker from three continents, with all bar one winning a championship for the first time.
Among the 10 champions were two New Zealand winners, with The Galbraith Brewing Co in Auckland taking out the Strong Beer category for its Rurik Russian Imperial Stout, and Zeffer Cider Co. (also Auckland-based) the champion of the only cider category for its Cidre Demi-Sec.
As well as the presentations to the 10 Championship winners, more than 125 brewers and cidermakers from 21 countries accepted Bronze, Silver and Gold medals.
“We judged more than 1,100 beers and ciders in Burton-upon-Trent in March this year,” said Chair of judging Bill Taylor.
“It’s a tremendous achievement to come through that process to win firstly a medal and then one of just 10 Championship trophies, so everyone on the podium today should feel very proud.
“Our winners today reflect the diversity and innovation that make the global brewing and cider industries so exciting, with trophies given to a wide range of beer and cider styles from long-established and new producers.”
The number of entries was up by 15 per cent compared to the last competition held in 2015, while the cider category almost doubled in size.
“The fact that our entries this year were up once again, with participation from producers and brand owners around the world, shows the respect that the Awards command in the international brewing and cider communities,” said Ruth Evans, director of competition organisers Brewing Technology Services.
The next IBCA will be judged in March 2019, with entries opening in September 2018.
The International Brewing Awards Champions 2017
Champion Cask Ale- Encore: Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth, UK
Champion Dark Beer- Kala Black IPA: Saltaire Brewery, Shipley, UK
Champion Keg Ale- Maltings Irish Ale: Sullivan’s Brewing Company, Kilkenny, Ireland
Champion Keg Lager- Frontier: Fuller Smith & Turner, London, UK
Champion Smallpack Ale- Easy Jack: Firestone Walker Brewing Company, California, USA
Champion Smallpack Lager- Pils Unfiltered Lager: Camden Town Brewery, London, UK
Champion Speciality Beer- Coolship Fruit: Elgood’s Brewery, Wisbech, UK
Champion Strong Beer- Rurik Russian Imperial Stout: The Galbraith Brewing Co, Auckland, New Zealand
Non and Low Alcohol Beer- Birell: Plzeňský Prazdroj a.s, Nošovice, Poland
The International Cider Awards Champion 2017
Cidre Demi-Sec: Zeffer Cider Co., Auckland, New Zealand