Very hoppy about win
COUNTY BREWERY’S IPA ‘BEST KEG ALE IN WORLD’
A COUNTY brewery has beaten competition from around the globe to win the International Keg Ale Trophy at the “beer Oscars”.
Round Corner Brewing, in Melton, was honoured at the International Brewing & Cider Awards 2024 for its Core Range beer, Drovers Hazy Session IPA.
The prestigious awards ceremony, held at London’s Guildhall crowned 13 trophy winners – ten beers and three ciders – with Round Corner Brewing’s Drovers being one of them.
The awards are hailed as the “Oscars of beer” and is a highly revered competition, with a rich 138-year history of championing the world’s best brewers and cider-makers.
Round Corner Brewing beat competition from across the world, with medal winners from Cambodia, China, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Taiwan, Thailand, USA, and the UK.
The brewery was founded in 2018 by Colin Paige and Combie Cryan.
Combie said: “What an amazing achievement. As a team we adore Drovers, and we know our customers are huge supporters of this beer.
“However, when you’re awarded something as prestigious as this trophy and beating worldwide competition, that is truly incredible.”
Drovers Hazy Session IPA’s trophy win is arguably the highest accolade an ale can win in the world, alongside the International Small Pack Ale Trophy.
In 2021, at the last awards, Round Corner’s Steeplechase Pale Ale claimed the trophy for the International Small Pack Ale, meaning that at two consecutive awards the Melton brewery has been awarded huge honours. Earlier in the year, at the International Brewing & Cider Awards, 115 gold, silver and bronze medal winners were announced.
Round Corner Brewing came away with five medals which were awarded for Drovers Hazy Session IPA, Frisby lager, Social Club nitro stout, and Underwater Song, a Baltic porter.
These medals were given out at the Guildhall, with Round Corner Brewing co-founders Combie Cryan and Colin Paige in attendance, alongside the brewing team.
Colin said: “It is no easy feat to win a medal at these awards, due to there only being one gold, one silver and onex bronze in each category.
“So, to win a gold is an amazing accolade.
“However, to go on and win a trophy means Drovers has been blind judged by our brewing peers to be the best from a range of gold medalwinning beers. “This is a big deal for us.” Round Corner Brewing head brewer Lara Lopes said: “The International Brewing Awards is the world’s most venerable international beer competition, setting a high standard for excellence in brewing, making this recognition all the more significant for us.
“It’s a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion that our team at Round Corner Brewing brings to each brew.
“Being acknowledged at this prestigious event reaffirms our commitment to crafting exceptional beers, and we are very grateful for this recognition.”
It’s not just the brewery celebrating their success.
Melton Livestock Market’s lead auctioneer Scott Ruck said: “Drovers gets its name from my team who like nothing better than a pint of two after an exhausting day moving livestock around Melton Livestock Market.
“There is nowhere better to enjoy a pint of Drovers than at Round Corner Brewing’s Taproom at Melton Mowbray Market.”