Beers and ciders vie for the industry’s Oscars
THE industry “Oscars” for brewers came to Burton this week to celebrate some of the best drinks from across the globe.
Some 138 medal and trophy winners were announced at the International Brewing and Cider Awards, the world’s most historic international beer and cider competition.
The event took place at the National Brewery Centre in Horninglow Street, with brewers and cider-makers from 24 countries receiving accolades.
Entrants represented countries including Australia, China, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and the UK.
Nine beer trophy winners were announced, including winners from Japan and Malta.
Tokyo-based Spring Valley Brewery’s Juicy Hop won Speciality Beer, while Ise Kadoya Beer, also from Japan, won the Strong
Beer award for its Nou ga Trokeru Ultra Heaven 3XIPA.
Malta-based Simonds Farsons Cisk won the Non- and Low-alcohol category for its Cisk 0.0, while other trophy winners included Yorkshire’s Elvington Brewery (Keg Lager) and Jersey’s Liberation Brewing Company (Cask Conditioned Ale).
In the cider awards, Sheppy’s Vintage Cloudy Cider from Taunton-based Sheppy’s Cider, won The International Classic Cider Trophy, while overseas entries triumphed in the other two Trophy categories.
Sidewood Estate from South Australia picked up the International Flavoured Cider Trophy for its Strawberry Apple Cider, while Ramborn Cider from Luxembourg won The International Innovative Cider Award for its Ramborn Ice Perry.
The competition dates back to 1886. Judging took place between Tuesday and Thursday, with the judges made up of working professionals in the brewing and cidermaking industries, led by chairman of beer judging Rob Mccaig and chairman of cider udging Gabe Cook.
Ruth Evans MBE, director of the awards, said: “It’s been an honour to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary beers and ciders that both brewers and cider-makers have worked so hard to produce during what has been such a difficult 18 months for the industry.
“Despite being forced to postpone the awards due to the pandemic, our brewing and cider community across the globe rallied together and continued to produce outstanding and innovative produce and it’s this determination and success that’s worth celebrating.
“I’d like to personally thank all the judges as well as all the brewers and cider-makers who entered their products and make this year’s awards one to remember, and we’re delighted to reward the best of them with the recognition they so truly deserve.”
Rob Mccaig said: “For three days, we have seen and tasted some of the very best beers from around the world, crowning winners from all corners of the globe.
“Despite what has been probably the most challenging period in recent memory for the brewing industry, producers from around the world have presented some exceptional beers, ales and lagers.
“It has made the job of our judging panel extremely difficult because of the quality of the beers. Japan is proving itself as an evolving brewing nation producing quality products across the beer spectrum.”
Gabe Cook said: “It has been a privilege to be able to chair the most important and prestigious competition of its kind for the cider industry.
“We have welcomed international judges, including representatives from America, Ireland and Japan and the UK, to preside over world-class entries from across the world.
“Consumers’ palettes are becoming more discerning and, as we have seen other drinks categories expand and diversify, the same is true for cider. Cider-makers are expanding their offer and we have seen some remarkable examples these last three days.
“To crown winning ciders from the likes of Canada, China, Luxembourg and Switzerland – nations not widely known for their cider production – shows how the category is increasing its international footprint and growing in popularity.”
This year, new categories were announced to reflect key trends that have emerged in the beer and cider markets since the last event in 2019.