UK’s best brews honoured at International Brewing & Cider Awards

By Daniel Woolfson

- Last updated on GMT

Best of brews: chair of judges Bill Taylor (far left) shares a congratulatory drink with medal winners
Best of brews: chair of judges Bill Taylor (far left) shares a congratulatory drink with medal winners

Related tags Beer

UK brewers cleaned up at the annual International Brewing Awards this week.

Some 45 beers from across the UK and Northern Ireland (not counting the Channel Islands) brought home medals from the competition, which saw judges assess more than 1,100 different beers and ciders from across the world over three days in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire.

Chair of judges Bill Taylor said: “The list of medal winners reflects both the quality and diversity of beers and ciders entered into the competition.

“Judges put in long hours assessing and debating the merits of the products to select the winners and the final list is an impressive showcase for the very best in brewing and cider making around the world.”

The UK totally dominated the cask ale rankings, with every single medal going to a British or Channel Islands brewery. Gold medals in the category went to Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth; Cross Bay Brewery, Morecambe; Shepherd Neame, Kent; and Thwaites, Lancashire.

Judge David Nicholls, of Moa Brewing, New Zealand, said: “Innovation has to be tempered with the commercial reality of making beers that consumers will want to drink. This competition rewards those beers that achieve that balance.”

Winners are now set to collect their medals at a special awards lunch at London’s Guildhall on 26 April, where 10 overall championship winners will be revealed.

The Morning Advertiser is a proud sponsor of the International Beer Awards.

The full list of medallists:

International Smallpack Lager Competition 

(Presented in bottle, can, PET or plastic) 

The winning beers are:

Class 1​ for Lager 2.9%-4.4% ABV

  • GOLD             Bohemian Pilsner, The Galbraith Brewing Co, Auckland, New Zealand
  • SILVER           Gold, Lion BSW New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
  • BRONZE        XXXX Bitter, Castlemaine Perkins,  Brisbane,  Australia

Class 2​ for Lager 4.5%-4.9% ABV

  • GOLD             Pils Unfiltered Lager, Camden Town Brewery, London
  • SILVER            Hit The Toad, Matso's Broome Brewery, Broome, Australia
  • BRONZE        Lager, Innis & Gunn Brewing Company, Glasgow

Class 3​ for Lager 5.0%-5.4% ABV

  • GOLD             Lottrup American Lager, Royal Unibrew, Odense, Denmark
  • SILVER           Hop Rocker, Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
  • BRONZE        Maes Pils, Alken-Maes Alken, Belgium

Class 4​ for Lager 5.5%-6.9% ABV

  • GOLD             Asahi Dry Premium Hojo, Asahi Breweries Ltd, Nagoya, Japan
  • SILVER            Prototyp, Kehrwieder Kreativbrauerei, Hamburg, Germany
  • BRONZE        Mahou Cinco Estrellas, Mahou Beers SL, Guadalajara, Spain
International Keg Lager Competition

The winning beers are: 

Class 1​ for Lager 2.9%-4.7% ABV

  • GOLD              Frontier, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Chiswick, London
  • SILVER            1985, Wye Valley Brewery Ltd, Hereford
  • BRONZE        Lawless Lager, Purity Brewing Company, Alne

Class 2​ for Lager 4.8%-6.9% ABV                                                                      

  • GOLD             Diamond, Joseph Holt Ltd, Manchester
  • SILVER           India Hells Lager, Camden Town Brewery, London
  • BRONZE        Asahi Super Dry, Asahi Breweries Ltd, Shikoku, Japan
International Smallpack Ale Competition

(Presented in bottle, can, PET or plastic)

The winning beers are: 

Class 1​ for Ale 2.9%-4.4% ABV                                                                          

  • GOLD              Barley Griffin, BentSpoke Brewing Co, Canberra, Australia
  • SILVER            Yakima Red, Meantime Brewing Company, London  
  • BRONZE        Urban Fox, Joseph Holt Ltd, Manchester 

Class 2​ for Ale 4.5%-4.9% ABV                                                                          

  • GOLD             Easy Jack, Firestone Walker Brewing Co, Paso Robles,  California, USA
  • SILVER            Lemon Dream, Salopian Brewery, Shrewsbury
  • BRONZE        Ghost Ship, Adnams plc, Southwold

Class 3​ for Ale 5.0%-5.4% ABV                                                                          

  • GOLD             Pale Ale, Ise Kadoya Brewery, Ise-shi, Mie, Japan
  • SILVER           Chiron, Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell 
  • BRONZE        Brown Ale, Ise Kadoya Brewery, Ise-shi, Mie, Japan

Class 4​ for Ale 5.5%-6.9% ABV                                                                          

  • GOLD              Baby-Faced Assasin, Rooster's Brewery, Knaresborough      
  • SILVER            Crankshaft, BentSpoke Brewing Co, Canberra, Australia
  • BRONZE        Extra Pale Ale, Collective Arts Brewing Co, Hamilton, Canada 
International Keg Ale Competition

The winning beers are: 

Class 1​ for Ale 2.9%-4.4% ABV                                                                          

  • GOLD             Liberation Craft Pale Ale, Liberation Brewery, Jersey, Channel Islands
  • SILVER            Yankee, Rooster's Brewery, Knaresborough 
  • BRONZE        Pale Ale, Camden Town Brewery, London       

Class 2​ for Ale 4.5%-6.9% ABV                                                                          

  • GOLD             Maltings Irish Ale, Sullivan's Brewing Company, Drogheda, Ireland
  • SILVER           Alpha Beta, Ilkley Brewery Co Ltd, Ilkley       
  • BRONZE        Baby-Faced Assassin, Rooster's Brewery, Knaresborough      
International Non & Low Alcohol Beer Competition

 ​(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask) 

The winning beers are:

Class 1​ for Ultra Low Alcohol Beer up to 1.1% ABV                                       

  • GOLD             Birell Pleňský Prazdroj a.s, Nošovice, Czech Republic
  • SILVER            Edelweiss Alkoholfrei, Brau Union Östereich AG, Zipf, Austria
  • BRONZE        Riegele Hell Alkoholfrei, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany​ 

Class 2​ for Low Alcohol Beer 1.2%-2.8 % ABV                                                          

ONE MEDAL, JUDGES’ CHOICE:

  • SILVER           Mid Vicious Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
International Dark Beer Competition

(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask) 

The winning beers are: 

Class 1​ for Dark Beer 2.9% - 3.7% ABV                                                                          

TWO MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE:

  • GOLD             Velkopopovický Kozel Dark, Pleňský Prazdroj a.s, Nošovice, Czech Republic
  • SILVER           Mild, Joseph Holt Ltd, Manchester

Class 2​ for Dark Beer 3.8%-4.7% ABV                                                                         

  • GOLD             Sneaky Wee Orkney Stout, Swannay Brewery, Orkney,
  • SILVER            London Stout, Charles Wells Brewery, Bedford        
  • BRONZE        Mischief Nitro Engine, Harviestoun Brewery, Alva   

Class 3​ for Dark Beer 4.8%-5.7% ABV                                                

  • GOLD             Baltic Porter, Brauerei Albert Egger AG, Worb, Switzerland
  • SILVER           Black Mac, Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
  • BRONZE        Stout A.J.I Beer Co Inc, Osaka, Japan

Class 4​ for Dark Beer 5.8%-6.9% ABV                                                                         

  • GOLD             Kala Black IPA, Saltaire Brewery, Shipley      
  • SILVER            Nitro Coffee Stout, Boston Beer Company, Boston, USA
  • BRONZE        Celebration Stout, Coachbury Taverns Ltd, Dublin, Ireland
International Strong Beer Competition

(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask)  

The winning beers are: 

Class 1​ for Strong Lager                                                                             

  • GOLD             Dagon Extra Strong Beer, Dagon Beverages Company Ltd, Yangon, Myanmar
  • SILVER           Dagon Super Beer (DS), Dagon Beverages Company Ltd, Yangon, Myanmar
  • BRONZE        Mahou Maestra, Mahou Beers SL, Guadalajara, Spain

Class 2​ for Strong Ale                                                                                             

  • GOLD              W-IPA, A.J.I Beer Inc, Osaka, Japan
  • SILVER           Birthday Suit, Lion BSW NZ, Auckland, New Zealand
  • BRONZE        Big Job, St Austell Brewery, St Austell, Cornwall          

Class 3​ for Strong Dark Beer

  • GOLD Rurik Russian Imperial Stout, The Galbraith Brewing Co, Auckland, New Zealand
  • SILVER Thirteenth Hour, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  • BRONZE Black Shield Stout, Myanmar Brewery Yangon, Myanmar

Class 4​ for Strong Speciality Beer

  • GOLD Hapkin Alken-Maes, Opwijk, Belgium
  • SILVER Rum Barrel Sour, Moa Brewing Company, Blenheim, New Zealand
  • BRONZE Lauterbacher Weizen-Doppelbock, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany

Class 5​ for Strong Beer Above 10%ABV

  • GOLD Tetravis, Boston Beer Company, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  • SILVER Noctus 100 - Schwarzes Geheimnis, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany
  • BRONZE Dies Irae, Brauhaus Gusswerk, Salzberg, Austria
International Speciality Beer Competition

(Presented in Smallpack, Keg and Cask) 

The winning beers are: 

Class 1​ for Speciality Wheat Beer

  • GOLD Weissbier Hell, Schwarzbräu GmbH, Zusmarshausen, Germany
  • SILVER Lauterbacher Stephanie Weisse, Brauerei S Riegele, Augsburg, Germany
  • BRONZE TAP 1, Meine Helle Weisse Schneider Weisse Kelheim, Bavaria, Germany

Class 2​ for Fruit & Vegetable Beer  

  • GOLD Mango Beer, Matso's Broome Brewery, Broome, Australia
  • SILVER Kriek Lambic, Tradition Alken-Maes Kobbegem, Belgium
  • BRONZE Baden Baden, Golden Brasil Kirin, Brazil 

Class 3​ for Organic Beer  

  • GOLD 100th Meridian Organic Amber Lager, Mill Street Brewery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • SILVER Whitstable Bay Organic, Shepherd Neame Ltd, Faversham,
  • BRONZE Tumma Luomu Saimaan Juomatehdas, Mikkeli, Finland

 Class 4​ for Speciality Other Special Feature Beer

  • GOLD Rum Finish, Innis & Gunn Brewing Company, Glasgow
  • SILVER White Christmas, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA
  • BRONZE Old Feziwig, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Class 5​ for Special Hop Beer

  • GOLD Luponic Distortion, Firestone Walker Brewing Co Paso Robles, California, USA
  • SILVER American Pale Ale, Nogne Ø Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri A/A, Grimstad, Norway
  • BRONZE Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Chico, California, USA

Class 6​ for Sour Beer

TWO MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE:

  • GOLD Coolship Fruit, Elgood & Sons Ltd, Wisbech 
  • SILVER Kosmic Mother Funk Grand Cru, Boston Beer Company Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Class 6​ for Zero Gluten Beer

2 MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE

  • GOLD Green's Dry Hopped Lager, Charles Cooper Limited, Lochristi, Belgium
  • SILVER Green's India Pale Ale, Charles Cooper Limited, Lochristi, Belgium 
International Cask Ale Competition

The winning beers are: 

Class 1​ for Cask Ale 2.9% - 3.8% ABV

  • GOLD Encore, Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth
  • SILVER Light Munro, Swannay Brewery, Swannay, Orkney 
  • BRONZE Bunny Hop, Purity Brewing Company, Alne 

Class 2​ for Cask Ale 3.9% - 4.3% ABV

  • GOLD Sunset Cross, Bay Brewery, Morecambe 
  • SILVER Liberation Ale, Liberation Brewery, Jersey, Channel Islands
  • BRONZE Old Man, Long Man Brewery, Littlington

Class 3​ for Cask Ale 4.4% - 4.8% ABV

  • GOLD East Coast Pale Ale, Shepherd Neame Ltd, Faversham
  • SILVER Otherside IPA, York Brewery Ltd, York
  • BRONZE Pale Ale, Swannay Brewery, Orkney

Class 4​ for Cask Ale 4.9% - 6.9% ABV

  • GOLD 13 Guns, Daniel Thwaites plc, Blackburn, Lancashire 
  • SILVER IPA, Brewster's Brewing Co, Grantham, Lincolnshire 
  • BRONZE Old Nogg, Lacons Brewery, Great Yarmouth 
International Cider Competition 

The winning ciders are:

Category 1 – for Cider Apple Class 3.5 – 7.5% ABV

Class 1.1 ​for Cider Apple Class – Dry  

  • GOLD Knights Malvern Oak, Aston Manor Cider, Stourport on Severn
  • SILVER Cloudy Premium Cider, C & C Group, Shepton Mallet 
  • BRONZE Edu Angry Orchard, New York, USA

Class 1.2​ for Cider Apple Class – Medium  

  • GOLD Galipette Brut, Cider Supply Company (CSCO), AB Prinseneiland, Netherlands
  • SILVER Malvern Gold, Aston Manor Cider, Stourport on Severn
  • BRONZE Traditional Rocquette Cider, Rocquette Cider Co Ltd, Guernsey, Channel Islands

Class 1.3 ​for Cider Apple Class – Sweet

TWO MEDALS, JUDGES’ CHOICE

  • GOLD Cidre Demi-Sec, Zeffer Cider Co, Auckland, New Zealand
  • SILVER Cooper's Original Kelterei, Heil Laubus-Eschbach, Germany

Category 2​ for Open Apple Class Cider 3.5 – 7.5% ABV

Class 2.1 ​- Open Apple Class – Dry

ONE MEDAL, JUDGES’ CHOICE:

  • GOLD Natural Cider, Manuel Busto Amandi S.A Villaviciosa Spain

Class 2.2​ - Open Apple Class - Medium

  • GOLD Traditional Dry Cider, Mac Ivors Cider Co, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
  • SILVER Tempted Medium Dry Cider, Tempted Cider, Lisburn, Northern Ireland
  • BRONZE Ramborn Original Medium Dry, Ramborn Cider Co, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg

Class 2.3​ - Open Apple Class - Sweet

  • GOLD Medium Cider, Mac Ivors Cider Co, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
  • SILVER Strongbow Gold Apple, Heineken International, Aubel, Belgium
  • BRONZE Briska Appelcider, Spendrups Bryggeri, AB Grangesberg, Sweden

Category 3​ for Pear/Pear Cider

NO MEDAL AWARDED:

  • COMMENDED: Pear Saison Cider, Collective Arts Brewing Co, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Category 4​ for Fruit Flavoured Cider Class 3.5 -7.5% ABV

  • GOLD Plum & Ginger Cider, Mac Ivors Cider Co, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
  • SILVER Tempted Elderflower Cider, Tempted Cider, Lisburn, Northern Ireland
  • BRONZE Old Mout Passionfruit & Cider, Redwood Cider Co, Nelson,

New Zealand

Category 5​ Other Flavours Cider 3.5 -7.5% ABV

  • GOLD Wild Tree Hoppy Cider, Blakstoc Cider GmbH, Styria, Austria
  • SILVER Strongbow Elderflower, Heineken International, Aubel, Belgium
  • BRONZE Strongbow Honey, Heineken International, Aubel, Belgium

Class 6​ - for Low-Alcohol Cider Class 1.2 – 3.5% ABV

  • GOLD Schwäbi Apfel, Junginger Fruchtsäfte, Niederstotzingen, Germany
  • SILVER Schwäbi Holunderblüte (Elderflower), Junginger Fruchtsäfte, Niederstotzingen, Germany
  • BRONZE Eva Cider (2.7% Alc), Adam & Eva GbR, Bodensee, Germany

Class 7​ – for Speciality Cider Class or Perry Class 1.2 – 8.5% ABV

  • GOLD Killer Sharp, Hogan's Cider, Alcester
  • SILVER Iwood Limited Edition, Sheppys Cider Ltd, Taunton, Somerset 
  • BRONZE The Old Fashioned, Angry Orchard, New York, USA

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