World’s best beers and ciders 2019

The International Brewing and Cider Awards revealed on 1 May this year’s Championship trophy winners at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Guildhall, London, recognising just twelve products as the best of the best in beer and cider.

Narrowed down from the 133 medal winners announced earlier this year, the final round of accolades recognises nine beers and three ciders as outstanding examples in their respective categories.

BRAUWELT International sponsors the International Strong Beer Competition. Winner is the St Austell Brewery from Cornwall, United Kingdom, with “Black Square” (class 5 for strong beer above 10 % ABV). Further beer trophy winners are: Firestone Walker, Bentspoke Brewing Co, Purity Brewing Company, Black Sheep Brewery and Big Drop Brewing Co, Alken-Maes, Fuller, Smith and Turner PLC, and The Wimbledon Brewery Company.

The best in cider are Stonewell Cider/Finnbarra Cider who scooped two of the top cider trophies alongside Hogan’s Cider.

Ruth Evans, Director of Brewing Technology Services who oversee the awards, said: “The Championship Trophy winners’ announcement is the culmination of a lengthy judging process, where our panel of 50 industry professionals vote for those beers and ciders that they would be prepared to stake their future success on. The quality of the entries we receive each year is exceptionally high and our twelve Championship Trophy winners represent the crème de la crème of their respective categories. Congratulations to all!”

Judged by professional brewers and cider-makers from around the world, each winner has been chosen by group consensus rather than a scoring system.

Founded in 1888, the awards aim to reward and recognise the innovation, attention to detail and hard work that goes into beer and cider production.

Further information and the winners list can be found under www.brewingawards.org.