2,151 beers from 46 countries competed this year for medals of the European Beer Star award, one of the most important beer competitions in the world.
The 14th edition of the competition broke again a new record with 2.2% more beers being submitted than last year (inside.beer, 21.8.2017). The winners in 60 categories (only one gold, silver and bronze medal) were awarded on 13 September at the world's largest beverage trade fair drinktec in Munich.
Gold medals for the first time spread to 15 different countries, including countries such as Brazil, Israel and South Korea. With 21 times gold, 25 times silver and 21 times bronze Germany lead again the medal table - after a second place in the previous year. US brewers, who have also been highly successful at the European Beer Star for many years, won in twelve categories (beer styles). Italy had winners in seven categories in 2017. Belgian and Dutch breweries dominated six categories - predominantly typical Belgian beer styles such as Belgian-Style Dubbel, Belgian Style Tripel and Belgian Style Strong Ale.
The most successful brewery at the European Beer Star 2017 was Privatbrauerei Schönram from Bavaria, whose beers were awarded three gold medals and one bronze medal. The Pelican Brewing Company (USA), which is also every year among the winners of the European Beer Star, won two golds and three silver medals and became the most acclaimed international brewery at this year's competition.
"The fact that a number of breweries are always among the winners of the European Beer Star shows the professional competence of our jury and, of course, the high quality standards at the breweries. There are no random medal winners at the European Beer Star!" explains Gerhard Ilgenfritz, President of the Bavarian Association of Private Brewers, which organizes this event together with the German Association of Private Brewers and the Association of Small and Independent Breweries in Europe (S.I.B.). Private Breweries of Bavaria.
"Among the winners there are brewery groups like Kirin or Carlsberg as well as small pub breweries," notes Sebastian Unertl, European Beer Star tasting manager, "although, of course, the owner-managed, hand-crafted breweries clearly set the tone."
A list of all categories and winners of this year’s European Beer Star can be found here.
