The International Brewing Awards have a long-standing tradition of recognizing the best beers in the world since 1886. This prestigious competition, which also includes the International Cider Awards since 2013, sets itself apart by having judging panels comprised solely of working professionals in the brewing and cider making industries. Unlike other beer competitions that rely on a mix of industry professionals and trained judges, the International Brewing Awards stand out by having the beverages judged by other brewers and cider makers. This unique approach ensures that the winners truly represent the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship in the industry.
For the 2024 awards, a total of 31 beer judges and nine cider judges from 15 different countries came together to evaluate nearly 600 beers and over 100 ciders. These judges represented a diverse range of backgrounds, from small craft breweries to the largest brewing companies in the world. Ruth Evans, the director of the awards, highlighted in a video interview that the entries for this year’s competition reflected global trends in the beer and cider industries. She noted that while entries were slightly down compared to previous years, the submissions still provided valuable insights into the state of the industry.
Entries from Japan saw an increase, indicating a growing strength in the beer industry in that country. On the other hand, entries from Australia experienced a decline, pointing to challenges faced by the industry in that region. The competition also saw a rise in submissions for Non & Low Alcohol beers, while entries for Strong Beers decreased. Specialty Beers, particularly from Japan, stood out with a strong showing, underscoring the country’s expertise in that category. These trends shed light on the evolving preferences and consumer demands within the global beer market.
On May 1, The International Brewing Awards and The International Cider Awards revealed their 2024 trophy winners, selected from the pool of gold-medal winning beers and ciders announced earlier in March. While the gold medals were awarded by panels of six judges, the trophy winners were determined by the entire slate of judges, adding an extra layer of prestige to the accolades.
Some of the standout trophy winners for 2024 include Kirin Ichiban from Kirin Holdings Company of Japan in the International Smallpack Lager Competition, Capital Dry Hopped Lager from Windsor & Eton Brewery of the UK in the International Keg Lager Competition, Barley Griffin from BentSpoke Brewing Co of Australia and Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy from Boston Beer Company of the USA in the International Smallpack Ale Competition, Drovers Hazy Session IPA from Round Corner Brewing Ltd. of the UK in the International Keg Ale Competition, and WORK from Forest Road Brewing Company of the UK in the International Cask Ale Competition.
Other noteworthy winners include Free Damm from Damm S.A of Spain in the International Non & Low Alcohol Beer Competition, Jazzberry from Spring Valley Brewery of Japan in the International Specialty Beer Competition, NAMA-KADO Smoked Oyster Stout from Isekado Brewery of Japan in the International Dark Beer Competition, and Tsingtao Legend from Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd. in the International Strong Beer Competition. Each of these award-winning brews exemplifies the pinnacle of excellence in their respective categories, showcasing the innovation and skill of brewers from around the world.