Judging begins for International Brewing Awards

Feb Wed. 13th 2013

The International Brewing Awards 2013 started today (13 February) at the National Brewery Centre in Burton-upon-Trent, as the panel of 40 judges began tasting almost 1,000 beers and ciders submitted to the competition.

Casks, kegs, bottles and cans of beer and cider have been received from 47 countries around the world and are now stored at the National Brewery Centre for the duration of the competition in temperature-controlled conditions.  A team of stewards is responsible for delivering beers to the judges, who taste them all ‘blind’ throughout the competition.

The International Brewing Awards are unique in requiring judges to be currently practising brewers and cider makers. They have been drawn from most continents and from different size and style companies.

For many, the trip to Burton is a golden opportunity, as Ruth Evans of the event’s organisers Brewing Technology Services explains, “Our judges are professional brewers from around the world, and know all about Burton and the vital role the town has played in the history of brewing, not just in the UK, but also internationally. To come here and see it for themselves is an experience they value enormously.”

She added, “When we brought the Awards back to the UK in 2011, the National Brewery Centre was the obvious venue to host them and we are delighted to be returning for the 2013 competition.”

The judging lasts for three days, with Bronze, Silver and Gold medals announced on Friday afternoon before an anticipated crowd of 100 competitors and others from the brewing world. After this, the National Brewery Centre becomes the venue for an International Festival of Beer, selling the beers and ciders submitted for the competition to beer enthusiasts from Friday night to Sunday. 

The International Brewing Awards are the oldest international beer competition and are held every two years at the National Brewery Centre in Burton.  The next competition will take place in February 2015.