With entries already exceeding the 2011 levels, judges are keen to have the two new categories for 2013 – ciders and special hop beers – as fully patronised as possible.
According to Ruth Evans, Brewing Technology Services director, they are delighted with the level entries received to date, as well as their diversity of style and geographical spread with beers from more than 40 countries being submitted. However, they want to encourage as many entries as they possibly can.
“We have re-introduced cider to the competition this year, after a break of several decades, and also added a new Special Hop Beer class,” she says. “As these are new to the competition, clearly brewers and cider makers are less aware of them, so we are extending the closing date and hope this enables more to enter.”
She adds that the organisation has established a dedicated judging panel for ciders, so any potential entrants can be confident that their product will be assessed by some of the most respected cider makers in the industry.