The inaugural Beer Awards were launched at Craft Beer Rising in February this year to showcase the boom in new breweries across the world and the exceptional beers coming from them.
Brewery giants such as AB InBev, along with the likes of Adnams, respectively picked up awards for their Stella and Ghost Ship beers.
Point of difference
Smaller brewers, like Gipsy Hill Brewing Co and Windswept Brewing, took home awards for their Southpaw and Bear brews.
Taking part in the competition and winning awards would give brewers a point of difference on crowded bars and supermarket shelves, as has happened with the wines and spirits in the IWSC’s sister awards, said organisers.
Chair and judge, Alex Barlow of Sentinel Brewing, said: “This new competition can only go from strength to strength. Experienced full-time staff ensuring the samples are put in front of the judges with pure professionalism can only enhance the judging process and give every beer the best possible chance of an award.”
The winning beers and categories are:
Best in show:
- Best Wheat Beer, Vedett Extra White, Duvel Moortgat UK
- Best Lager, Cut Loose, Powderkeg Brewery
- Best Bitter, Mad Goose, Purity Brewing Company
- Best Stout/Porter, Imperial Nibs, Kereru Brewing Company
- Best Pale Ale, 6 Vintage Blend, Sharp’s Brewery
Nine best ales:
- 6 Vintage Blend, Sharps Brewery
- Vedett Extra White, Duvel Moortgat UK
- Liefmans Kriek Brut, Duvel Moortgat UK
- Mad Goose, Purity Brewing Company
- Imperial Nibs, Kereru Brewing Company
- Reinbeer, Brewhouse and Kitchen
- Bear, Windswept Brewing Co
- Straffe Hendrik Quadrupel, Brouwerij de Halve Maan
- Bottle Roecket, Wormtown Brewery
Seven best lagers:
- Lukas, Thornbridge Brewery
- Cut Loose, Powderkeg Brewery
- Birra Antoniana Altinate, Birrificio Antoniano
- Birra Antoniana Borgo Della Paglia, Birrificio Antoniano
- Ritual Pils, Ritual Lab
- Samuel Adams Boston Lager, Boston Beer Company
- Samuel Adams Heaven or Helles, Boston Beer Company