Some 45 beers from across the UK and Northern Ireland (not counting the Channel Islands) brought home medals from the competition, which saw judges assess more than 1,100 different beers and ciders from across the world over three days in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire.
Chair of judges Bill Taylor said: “The list of medal winners reflects both the quality and diversity of beers and ciders entered into the competition.
“Judges put in long hours assessing and debating the merits of the products to select the winners and the final list is an impressive showcase for the very best in brewing and cider making around the world.”
The UK totally dominated the cask ale rankings, with every single medal going to a British or Channel Islands brewery. Gold medals in the category went to Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth; Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe; Shepherd Neame, Kent; and Thwaites, Lancashire.
Judge David Nicholls, of Moa Brewing, New Zealand, said: “Innovation has to be tempered with the commercial reality of making beers that consumers will want to drink. This competition rewards those beers that achieve that balance.”
Winners are now set to collect their medals at a special awards lunch at London’s Guildhall on 26 April, where 10 overall championship winners will be revealed.
The Morning Advertiser is a proud sponsor of the International Beer Awards.
The full list of medallists:
International Smallpack Lager Competition
(Presented in bottle, can, PET or plastic)
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Lager 2.9%-4.4% ABV
- GOLD Bohemian Pilsner, The Galbraith Brewing Co, Auckland, New Zealand
- SILVER Gold, Lion BSW New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
- BRONZE XXXX Bitter, Castlemaine Perkins, Brisbane, Australia
Class 2 for Lager 4.5%-4.9% ABV
- GOLD Pils Unfiltered Lager, Camden Town Brewery, London
- SILVER Hit The Toad, Matso's Broome Brewery, Broome, Australia
- BRONZE Lager, Innis & Gunn Brewing Company, Glasgow
Class 3 for Lager 5.0%-5.4% ABV
- GOLD Lottrup American Lager, Royal Unibrew, Odense, Denmark
- SILVER Hop Rocker, Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
- BRONZE Maes Pils, Alken-Maes Alken, Belgium
Class 4 for Lager 5.5%-6.9% ABV
- GOLD Asahi Dry Premium Hojo, Asahi Breweries Ltd, Nagoya, Japan
- SILVER Prototyp, Kehrwieder Kreativbrauerei, Hamburg, Germany
- BRONZE Mahou Cinco Estrellas, Mahou Beers SL, Guadalajara, Spain
International Keg Lager Competition
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Lager 2.9%-4.7% ABV
- GOLD Frontier, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Chiswick, London
- SILVER 1985, Wye Valley Brewery Ltd, Hereford
- BRONZE Lawless Lager, Purity Brewing Company, Alne
Class 2 for Lager 4.8%-6.9% ABV
- GOLD Diamond, Joseph Holt Ltd, Manchester
- SILVER India Hells Lager, Camden Town Brewery, London
- BRONZE Asahi Super Dry, Asahi Breweries Ltd, Shikoku, Japan
International Smallpack Ale Competition
(Presented in bottle, can, PET or plastic)
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Ale 2.9%-4.4% ABV
- GOLD Barley Griffin, BentSpoke Brewing Co, Canberra, Australia
- SILVER Yakima Red, Meantime Brewing Company, London
- BRONZE Urban Fox, Joseph Holt Ltd, Manchester
Class 2 for Ale 4.5%-4.9% ABV
- GOLD Easy Jack, Firestone Walker Brewing Co, Paso Robles, California, USA
- SILVER Lemon Dream, Salopian Brewery, Shrewsbury
- BRONZE Ghost Ship, Adnams plc, Southwold
Class 3 for Ale 5.0%-5.4% ABV
- GOLD Pale Ale, Ise Kadoya Brewery, Ise-shi, Mie, Japan
- SILVER Chiron, Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell
- BRONZE Brown Ale, Ise Kadoya Brewery, Ise-shi, Mie, Japan
Class 4 for Ale 5.5%-6.9% ABV
- GOLD Baby-Faced Assasin, Rooster's Brewery, Knaresborough
- SILVER Crankshaft, BentSpoke Brewing Co, Canberra, Australia
- BRONZE Extra Pale Ale, Collective Arts Brewing Co, Hamilton, Canada
International Keg Ale Competition
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Ale 2.9%-4.4% ABV
- GOLD Liberation Craft Pale Ale, Liberation Brewery, Jersey, Channel Islands
- SILVER Yankee, Rooster's Brewery, Knaresborough
- BRONZE Pale Ale, Camden Town Brewery, London
Class 2 for Ale 4.5%-6.9% ABV
- GOLD Maltings Irish Ale, Sullivan's Brewing Company, Drogheda, Ireland
- SILVER Alpha Beta, Ilkley Brewery Co Ltd, Ilkley
- BRONZE Baby-Faced Assassin, Rooster's Brewery, Knaresborough
International Non & Low Alcohol Beer Competition
(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask)
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Ultra Low Alcohol Beer up to 1.1% ABV
- GOLD Birell Pleňský Prazdroj a.s, Nošovice, Czech Republic
- SILVER Edelweiss Alkoholfrei, Brau Union Östereich AG, Zipf, Austria
- BRONZE Riegele Hell Alkoholfrei, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany
Class 2 for Low Alcohol Beer 1.2%-2.8 % ABV
ONE MEDAL, JUDGES’ CHOICE:
- SILVER Mid Vicious Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
International Dark Beer Competition
(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask)
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Dark Beer 2.9% - 3.7% ABV
TWO MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE:
- GOLD Velkopopovický Kozel Dark, Pleňský Prazdroj a.s, Nošovice, Czech Republic
- SILVER Mild, Joseph Holt Ltd, Manchester
Class 2 for Dark Beer 3.8%-4.7% ABV
- GOLD Sneaky Wee Orkney Stout, Swannay Brewery, Orkney,
- SILVER London Stout, Charles Wells Brewery, Bedford
- BRONZE Mischief Nitro Engine, Harviestoun Brewery, Alva
Class 3 for Dark Beer 4.8%-5.7% ABV
- GOLD Baltic Porter, Brauerei Albert Egger AG, Worb, Switzerland
- SILVER Black Mac, Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
- BRONZE Stout A.J.I Beer Co Inc, Osaka, Japan
Class 4 for Dark Beer 5.8%-6.9% ABV
- GOLD Kala Black IPA, Saltaire Brewery, Shipley
- SILVER Nitro Coffee Stout, Boston Beer Company, Boston, USA
- BRONZE Celebration Stout, Coachbury Taverns Ltd, Dublin, Ireland
International Strong Beer Competition
(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask)
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Strong Lager
- GOLD Dagon Extra Strong Beer, Dagon Beverages Company Ltd, Yangon, Myanmar
- SILVER Dagon Super Beer (DS), Dagon Beverages Company Ltd, Yangon, Myanmar
- BRONZE Mahou Maestra, Mahou Beers SL, Guadalajara, Spain
Class 2 for Strong Ale
- GOLD W-IPA, A.J.I Beer Inc, Osaka, Japan
- SILVER Birthday Suit, Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
- BRONZE Big Job, St Austell Brewery, St Austell, Cornwall
Class 3 for Strong Dark Beer
- GOLD Rurik Russian Imperial Stout, The Galbraith Brewing Co, Auckland, New Zealand
- SILVER Thirteenth Hour, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- BRONZE Black Shield Stout, Myanmar Brewery Yangon, Myanmar
Class 4 for Strong Speciality Beer
- GOLD Hapkin Alken-Maes, Opwijk, Belgium
- SILVER Rum Barrel Sour, Moa Brewing Company, Blenheim, New Zealand
- BRONZE Lauterbacher Weizen-Doppelbock, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany
Class 5 for Strong Beer Above 10%ABV
- GOLD Tetravis, Boston Beer Company, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- SILVER Noctus 100 - Schwarzes Geheimnis, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany
- BRONZE Dies Irae, Brauhaus Gusswerk, Salzberg, Austria
International Speciality Beer Competition
(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask)
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Speciality Wheat Beer
- GOLD Weissbier Hell, Schwarzbräu GmbH, Zusmarshausen, Germany
- SILVER Lauterbacher Stephanie Weisse, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany
- BRONZE TAP 1, Meine Helle Weisse Schneider Weisse Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany
Class 2 for Fruit & Vegetable Beer
- GOLD Mango Beer, Matso's Broome Brewery, Broome, Australia
- SILVER Kriek Lambic, Tradition Alken-Maes Kobbegem, Belgium
- BRONZE Baden Baden, Golden Brasil Kirin, Brazil
Class 3 for Organic Beer
- GOLD 100th Meridian Organic Amber Lager, Mill Street Brewery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- SILVER Whitstable Bay Organic, Shepherd Neame Ltd, Faversham,
- BRONZE Tumma Luomu Saimaan Juomatehdas, Mikkeli, Finland
Class 4 for Speciality Other Special Feature Beer
- GOLD Rum Finish, Innis & Gunn Brewing Company, Glasgow
- SILVER White Christmas, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- BRONZE Old Feziwig, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Class 5 for Special Hop Beer
- GOLD Luponic Distortion, Firestone Walker Brewing Co Paso Robles, California, USA
- SILVER American Pale Ale, Nogne Ø Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri A/A, Grimstad, Norway
- BRONZE Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Chico, California, USA
Class 6 for Sour Beer
TWO MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE:
- GOLD Coolship Fruit, Elgood & Sons Ltd, Wisbech
- SILVER Kosmic Mother Funk Grand Cru, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Class 6 for Zero Gluten Beer
2 MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE
- GOLD Green's Dry Hopped Lager, Charles Cooper Limited, Lochristi, Belgium
- SILVER Green's India Pale Ale, Charles Cooper Limited, Lochristi, Belgium
International Cask Ale Competition
The winning beers are:
Class 1 for Cask Ale 2.9% - 3.8% ABV
- GOLD Encore, Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth
- SILVER Light Munro, Swannay Brewery, Swannay, Orkney
- BRONZE Bunny Hop, Purity Brewing Company, Alne
Class 2 for Cask Ale 3.9% - 4.3% ABV
- GOLD Sunset Cross, Bay Brewery, Morecambe
- SILVER Liberation Ale, Liberation Brewery, Jersey, Channel Islands
- BRONZE Old Man, Long Man Brewery, Littlington
Class 3 for Cask Ale 4.4% - 4.8% ABV
- GOLD East Coast Pale Ale, Shepherd Neame Ltd, Faversham
- SILVER Otherside IPA, York Brewery Ltd, York
- BRONZE Pale Ale, Swannay Brewery, Orkney
Class 4 for Cask Ale 4.9% - 6.9% ABV
- GOLD 13 Guns, Daniel Thwaites plc, Blackburn, Lancashire
- SILVER IPA, Brewster's Brewing Co, Grantham, Lincolnshire
- BRONZE Old Nogg, Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth
International Cider Competition
The winning ciders are:
Category 1 – for Cider Apple Class 3.5 – 7.5% ABV
Class 1.1 for Cider Apple Class – Dry
- GOLD Knights Malvern Oak, Aston Manor Cider, Stourport on Severn
- SILVER Cloudy Premium Cider, C & C Group, Shepton Mallet
- BRONZE Edu Angry Orchard, New York, USA
Class 1.2 for Cider Apple Class – Medium
- GOLD Galipette Brut, Cider Supply Company (CSCO), AB Prinseneiland, Netherlands
- SILVER Malvern Gold, Aston Manor Cider, Stourport on Severn
- BRONZE Traditional Rocquette Cider, Rocquette Cider Co Ltd, Guernsey, Channel Islands
Class 1.3 for Cider Apple Class – Sweet
TWO MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE
- GOLD Cidre Demi-Sec, Zeffer Cider Co, Auckland, New Zealand
- SILVER Cooper's Original Kelterei, Heil Laubus-Eschbach, Germany
Category 2 for Open Apple Class Cider 3.5 – 7.5% ABV
Class 2.1 - Open Apple Class – Dry
ONE MEDAL, JUDGES’ CHOICE:
- GOLD Natural Cider, Manuel Busto Amandi S.A Villaviciosa Spain
Class 2.2 - Open Apple Class - Medium
- GOLD Traditional Dry Cider, Mac Ivors Cider Co, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
- SILVER Tempted Medium Dry Cider, Tempted Cider, Lisburn, Northern Ireland
- BRONZE Ramborn Original Medium Dry, Ramborn Cider Co, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg
Class 2.3 - Open Apple Class - Sweet
- GOLD Medium Cider, Mac Ivors Cider Co, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
- SILVER Strongbow Gold Apple, Heineken International, Aubel, Belgium
- BRONZE Briska Appelcider, Spendrups Bryggeri, AB Grangesberg, Sweden
Category 3 for Pear/Pear Cider
NO MEDAL AWARDED:
- COMMENDED: Pear Saison Cider, Collective Arts Brewing Co, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Category 4 for Fruit Flavoured Cider Class 3.5 -7.5% ABV
- GOLD Plum & Ginger Cider, Mac Ivors Cider Co, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
- SILVER Tempted Elderflower Cider, Tempted Cider, Lisburn, Northern Ireland
- BRONZE Old Mout Passionfruit & Cider, Redwood Cider Co, Nelson,
New Zealand
Category 5 Other Flavours Cider 3.5 -7.5% ABV
- GOLD Wild Tree Hoppy Cider, Blakstoc Cider GmbH, Styria, Austria
- SILVER Strongbow Elderflower, Heineken International, Aubel, Belgium
- BRONZE Strongbow Honey, Heineken International, Aubel, Belgium
Class 6 - for Low-Alcohol Cider Class 1.2 – 3.5% ABV
- GOLD Schwäbi Apfel, Junginger Fruchtsäfte, Niederstotzingen, Germany
- SILVER Schwäbi Holunderblüte (Elderflower), Junginger Fruchtsäfte, Niederstotzingen, Germany
- BRONZE Eva Cider (2.7% Alc), Adam & Eva GbR, Bodensee, Germany
Class 7 – for Speciality Cider Class or Perry Class 1.2 – 8.5% ABV
- GOLD Killer Sharp, Hogan's Cider, Alcester
- SILVER Iwood Limited Edition, Sheppys Cider Ltd, Taunton, Somerset
- BRONZE The Old Fashioned, Angry Orchard, New York, USA