An IBCA medal, which is considered among the industry’s most coveted awards, attracted more than 1,000 entries from 50 countries.
Over 1,000 beers and ciders were submitted and judged by a panel of 50 industry experts over an intensive three-day period.
The beer medal winners ranged from small craft breweries from all corners of the globe to well-known brands such as Sierra Nevada, Samuel Adams, Camden Town, Deschutes, Fuller’s and Big Drop.
Meanwhile, successful cider winners included Sheppy’s, Aspall, Angry Orchards and Strongbow among many smaller craft brands from Somerset, England, to Camino, California.
Judging categories ranged from ultra-low ABV beers to high-strength styles, showcasing the versatility and variety found in modern-day brewing.
Cider categories included different fruit varieties, hopped and ice ciders, as well as judging across sweet and dry styles.
Speaking of this year’s medal winners, Ruth Evans MBE, director of Brewing Technology Services, which oversees the awards, told of her delight upon the running of the event.
“It brings me great pleasure to announce the medal winners, and no small measure of pride to be involved in our fantastic industry,” Evans exclaimed.
“These awards are a bastion of excellence, and we are always sincerely impressed by the talent of the medal winners.
“With each round of awards – the standards are pushed ever higher – competition is fierce, and receiving a medal is an achievement to be truly proud of.”
Commenting on the awards, Bill Taylor, chairman of judging, says the aim of the awards is to reward and recognise the innovation, attention to detail and hard work that goes into beer and cider production.
“Being a chairman of judging has been such a privilege,” Taylor elated.
“Judging and sampling the quality of entries has been a wonderful experience, and we have been blown away by the brewing and cider making talent that we have witnessed.”
The awards will culminate with the medal presentations at London’s Guildhall on 1 May, where members of the international brewing and cider-making community will come together to discover and celebrate the 2019 trophy winners.
