Lion Beer has nabbed five medals at the 2019 International Brewing and Cider Awards.
XXXX Bitter won Silver, while XXXX Gold won Bronze in the International Smallpack Lager section, Class 1 for Lager (2.9-4.4% ABV).
Lion Beer’s James Boag Premium Lager also won Bronze in Class 2 for Lager (4.5-4.9% ABV) and James Boag Wizard Smith’s Ale won Bronze in the International Smallpack Ale Competition, Class 3 for Ale (5-5.4% ABV).
In exciting news for Lion Beer’s new gluten-free Hahn Ultra Crisp, the brand won a Silver Judge’s Choice medal in Class 7 for Zero Gluten Beer.
Hahn Ultra Crisp features on the cover of the latest Drinks Trade magazine.
Regarded as “Oscars” of international beer and cider competitions, the judges awarded medals to 133 beers and ciders. Medal winners in the 130-year-old brewing competition ranged from small craft breweries to international brands.
The competition attracted more than 1000 entries from more 200 breweries and cider makers from from 50 countries around the world and was judged by an international panel of 50 judges in nine beer categories.
“It brings me great pleasure to announce the medal winners, and no small measure of pride to be involved in our fantastic industry,” commented Ruth Evans MBE, director of Brewing Technology Services, who oversaw the awards. “These awards are a bastion of excellence, and we are always sincerely impressed by the talent of the medal winners.
“With each round of awards, the standards are pushed ever higher. Competition is fierce, and receiving a medal is an achievement to be truly proud of. My congratulations to all.”
Aussie craft brewers honoured
Canberra brewery BentSpoke won two medals the International Smallpack Ale Competition – Barley Griffin won Gold in Class 1 for Ale (2.9-4.4% ABV), while IPA Crankshaft won silver in Class 4 for Ale (5.5-6.9% ABV).
“This award has been around for so long and has got a lot of history to it so to win a couple of medals is really pleasing,” BentSpoke’s head brewer and co-owner Richard Watkins told RiotACT.
“Canberra is really punching above its weight in terms of beer quality and I think between us and Zierholz, Capital Brewing Co and Pact all doing our thing and punching out really good beers. It is really good to see.”
The only Aussie cider to win a medal was Sidewood Estate Pear Cider, which took out Gold in Class 4.2 Modern Perry.
Head cidermaker, Michael Redman told The Advertiser: “On finding out that we had got such an accolade I had to firstly pinch myself. Yes, it was real – our pear cider has been voted world’s best dry perry. Not bad for a winery that also makes ciders.
“Now, as the dust settles, a mad rush is on to make sure we have enough stock on-hand for the impending boom.”
