Celebrating Excellence: Global Brewers and Cidermakers Triumph at the Prestigious International Brewing & Cider Awards

The International Brewing & Cider Awards, renowned as the pinnacle of recognition in the global brewing and cider industry, recently concluded its historic 138th edition with a resounding celebration of excellence. Held at the iconic Guildhall in London, this year's ceremony witnessed the crowning of 13 trophy winners, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship and innovation displayed by brewers and cidermakers from around the world.

Among the distinguished winners, six trophies were claimed by breweries from Europe, four from Asia, two from North America, and one from Australia, showcasing the remarkable diversity and talent within the industry. Notably, the Awards made history by awarding two brewers with the prestigious trophy in The Smallpack Ale competition for the first time ever.

Standout performers included Bentspoke Brewing Co. from Australia, whose Barley Griffin, and Samuel Adams Wicked Hazy from the USA's Boston Beer Company, secured top honors in The International Smallpack Ale competition. Meanwhile, in the UK, Windsor & Eton Brewery, Forest Road Brewing Company, and Round Corner Brewing Ltd clinched trophies in various categories, further underscoring the global reach of brewing excellence.

Asia demonstrated its brewing prowess with four trophy wins, with notable entries from Kirin Holdings Company in Japan, Spring Valley Brewery in Tokyo, and Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd in China. The cider category also witnessed impressive victories, with Cotswold Cider Company, Portland Cider Company, and Stonewell Cider emerging as champions in their respective fields.

The rigorous judging process, conducted over three days in Manchester, UK, assembled 38 industry professionals, led by esteemed figures such as Rob McCaig and Gabe Cook. This esteemed panel meticulously evaluated entries to ensure that only the most deserving received recognition.

Ruth Evans MBE, Director of the International Brewing & Cider Awards, said: “It’s been such an honour to continue to recognise the extraordinary beers and ciders across the world and celebrate all their achievements as they collected their awards at our ceremony this week. 

“This year we received an unprecedented level of high-quality beers and ciders, making it one of the toughest competitions to judge to date – and resulted in two brewers receiving the highest recognition in our Smallpack Ale competition.  

“We’re thrilled to be able to continue to provide a platform to reward the best beers and ciders with the credit they so truly deserve. Awards like these are so important in raising a company’s profile and help their beers and ciders stand out from the crowd.  

“This year we’ve crowned winners from all over the world including Australia, China, Japan, Spain, Ireland, USA and the UK and we’d like to congratulate each brewer and cidermaker who received recognition at this year’s International Brewing & Cider Awards for their continued efforts pushing the boundaries within the brewing and cidermaking industry.” 

With a legacy dating back to 1886, the International Brewing & Cider Awards has long been revered as the 'Oscars' of the brewing and cider world, thanks to its unwavering commitment to excellence and its distinctive judging methodology. The Awards continue to serve as a beacon for innovation and quality in the global brewing and cider industry.

For a comprehensive list of all 2024 medal and trophy winners, visit the official website of The International Brewing & Cider Awards at www.brewingawards.org. Join us in celebrating the exceptional achievements of brewers and cidermakers who continue to push the boundaries of taste and creativity on the world stage.