World Beer Cup 2008
It was a big bash. On 19 April more than 1,500 guests attended a formal beer dinner at the World Beer Cup in San Diego when the winners were announced.
With some pride Charlie Papazian, the President of the Brewers Association, reported a record participation in this year’s “Olympics of beer“: 646 breweries (2006: 540) with a total of 2,937 (2.241) beers took part in the World Beer Cup.
They represented 57 (56) countries. 130 (109) judges from 23 (18) countries participated in the event. More than 40 percent of all judges were from abroad which not only proves the truly representative character of this event but also the huge diversity of beers available at this competition. A gold, a silver and a bronze medal were to be won in each of the 91 categories.
The first World Beer Cup took place in 1996. Twelve years ago 250 breweries from 20 countries had submitted about 600 different beers.
The World Beer Cup is to tell the consumer that beers from all over the world provide a very good quality and variety. It is not only traditional beers that get awarded a medal, it’s also new beer styles and specialities from all corners of this planet that are honoured. Moreover, the World Beer Cup promotes the responsible enjoyment of an alcoholic beverage.
According to Charlie Papazian, beer has a longer tradition than the Olympic Games or the World Championships. Brewing and the enjoyment of beer can be traced back thousands of years. Brewing industry competitions are necessary to make brewers proud if they win a medal and to make them members of a community that adds significantly to the quality of life of the consumers.
If beer is to survive as a beverage that is celebrated and passionately enjoyed, Charlie Papazian said, then the whole community of brewers has to present beer in such a way that it excites the consumer. Beer consumers love competitions and they love social gatherings. “The World Beer Cup offers brewers the ideal forum to meet up with beer consumers in order to celebrate the responsible enjoyment of the most popular beverage on earth.”
The next World Beer Cup will be held in Chicago 21 until 24 April 2010.
U. Heyse
