American Craft Beer Honored at European Beer Star

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Small and Independent American Breweries Recognized on Global Stage

Boulder, CO • November 22, 2016—The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent craft brewers—is pleased to announce that 21 American craft breweries, all members of the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program (EDP), won 31 awards in 22 different categories at the 13th annual European Beer Star, the internationally renowned beer competition.

“Small and independent craft brewers are putting American beer on the global map,” said Bob Pease, president and CEO, Brewers Association. “There’s a growing thirst from beer lovers around the world for bold, quality beers from American craft brewers and we’re thrilled to support these brewers in their efforts to bring their products to a new, worldwide audience.”

American craft breweries that were honored include:

Brewery Beer Category
Allagash Brewing Co Red Belgian-Style Fruit Sour Ale
Allagash Brewing Co Saison Belgian-Style Saison
Deschutes Brewery Mirror Pond Pale Ale Traditional Style Pale Ale
Deschutes Brewery Obsidian Stout Dry Stout
Epic Brewing Co Epic Imperial Stout Imperial Stout
FiftyFifty Brewing Co Totality Imperial Stout
FiftyFifty Brewing Co Eclipse Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Beer
Firestone Walker Brewing Co Bretta Weisse Sourbier
Firestone Walker Brewing Co Feral One Wood and Barrel Aged Sour Beer
Firestone Walker Brewing Co Krieky Bones Belgian-Style Fruit Sour Ale
Flying Dog Brewery The Truth Imperial IPA Imperial India Pale Ale
Lakefront Brewery Lakefront Eastside Dark Bohemian-Style Schwarzbier
Moylan’s Brewing Co Midnight Ritual Herb and Spice Beer
No-Li Brewhouse No-Li Spin Cycle Red English-Style Bitter
Oskar Blues Brewery Mama’s Little Yella Pils Bohemian-Style Pilsner
Pelican Brewing Co Beak Breaker Imperial India Pale Ale
Pelican Brewing Co Kiwanda Cream Ale English-Style Golden Ale / Summer Ale
Pelican Brewing Co MacPelican’s Wee Heavy Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
pFriem Family Brewers Pilsner German-Style Pilsner
Port City Brewing Co Optimal Wit Belgian-Style Witbier
Rahr & Sons Brewing Co Oktoberfest German-Style Märzen
Red Brick Brewing Co Laughing Skull Amber Ale English-Style Bitter
Redrock Brewing Co Gineva Herb and Spice Beer
Reuben’s Brews Crikey IPA New Style India Pale Ale
Reuben’s Brews Robust Porter English-Style Porter
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Traditional Style Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co Sierra Nevada Torpedo Traditional India Pale Ale
Ska Brewing Buster Nut Brown English-Style Brown Ale
Ska Brewing Steel Toe Stout Sweet Stout
Track 7 Brewing Co Panic New Style India Pale Ale
Worthy Brewing Co Lights Out Stout Sweet Stout

The distinguished competition includes 57 judging categories and solely evaluates beers brewed in a traditional European manner. This year, a record number of 2,103 beers from 44 countries were evaluated by an international panel comprising of 124 beer and brewery experts. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to the three best beers in every category and granted for authentic beers of impressive taste and quality that fulfill a great sensory experience. Medals were presented at a ceremony at the BrauBeviale fair in Nuremberg, Germany.

European Beer Star Winner
Firestone Walker Brewing Company won three European Beer Star Awards.

American craft beer is in high demand internationally. In 2015, American craft beer export volume increased by 16.3 percent, totaling 446,151 barrels and worth an estimated value of $116 million. While growth has been seen across all major markets, the most notable growth was in Western Europe, which saw a 33.4 percent increase in exports. Ireland and the Netherlands, in particular, were two of the fastest growing markets in 2015. Exports are expected to increase in years to come as more importers and distributors implement proper storage and handling infrastructure including refrigerated shipping and storage.

The EDP, which generates exposure for American craft beer through trade shows, festivals, seminars, media outreach and competitions, among other activities, was initiated in 2004 with funds from the United States Department of Agriculture Market Access Program (USDA MAP). There are now approximately 100 small and independent brewers exporting their beers from the U.S., by EDP estimates.

For more information about the European Beer Star Awards and a complete list of the 2016 American craft brewery winners, visit the European Beer Star website. Learn more about the Export Development Program on the Brewers Association website.

Contact: Abby Berman Cohen (on behalf of the Brewers Association), 646.695.7044

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About the Brewers Association The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer CupSMGreat American Beer Festival®Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America®SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, AHA National Homebrewers Conference, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.