The most important Italian competition on the craft beer scenario featuring an International jury.
At Rimini expo centre, the winners of the contest organized by Unionbirrai.
The brewery of the year is Mukkeller.
Beer of the Year, hosted by Beer Attraction (16-19 February, Rimini Expo Centre), this year reached its fourteenth edition and decreed the excellence of Italy’s products, divided into no less than 41 different sections that well represented the contemporary beer scenario, and consequently the best brewery in Italy. The contest, organized by the Unionbirrai trade association, with the support of Italian Exhibition Group – Rimini Expo Centre, is established as the most important Italian competition on the craft beer scenario and featured an international jury, made up of approximately 100 of the sector’s experts and tasters from all over the world.
The judges, who gathered in Rimini for two entire days, assessed no less than 1994 beers, which took part from 327 competing brewers, figures showing an increase of 20% on the previous edition. The Beer of the Year award decreed the three best craft beers for each category, plus possible honourable mentions for those classified fourth and fifth. On the other hand, the title of Brewery of the Year went to the brewer who obtained the highest points total with his three best-positioned competing beers.
In the light of the votes, this year Mukkeller from the Marches region was crowned best Italian brewery. Three of its beers won first place: Haus Bier, a Helles 5% ABV that won hands-down in the category dedicated to European-style pale beer with low fermentation; La Corva, a complex beer obtained by combining various dark malts, similar to a Stout and with a strong flavour, which features a good body and a slight suspicion of hops; Mukkamannara, a Strong Belgian-style beer with a brown colour, malty nose and flavour, with hints of caramel, raisins and dried red fruit, was decidedly rich and complex.
The prestigious Beer of the Year jury, led again at this edition by Lorenzo “Kuaska” Dabove, internationally famous beer taster, author and teacher, a judge with lengthy experience, was made up of: Bo L. Jensen, President of the European Beer Consumers Union, Doug Odell who, in 1989, launched Odell Brewing Co., the third largest craft beer brewery in Colorado and 22nd largest in the United States; Pete Slosberg, founder of Pete’s Brewing Company, writer of best sellers such as Beer for Pete’s Sake, co-founder of the South Beer Cup; Andreas Fält, nominated in 2013 honorary knight of the Knighthood of the Brewers Paddle in Belgium; Carl Kins, executive member of the EBCU, who writes in specialist periodicals in Belgium, Italy and the United States; Derek Walsh, international judge since 1986, teacher and author, creator of over 60 beer recipes currently on sale; Eduardo Villegas, sommelier and beer sommelier, founder of the Eno-gastronomy Mexican Academy (AMEG), master brewer and owner of the Tatuaje Brewery; Giorgio Marconi, Unionbirrai consultant and teacher, member of the EBCU, collaborator of Slowfood and Fermento Birra; Tomm Carroll, author and publisher, international judge, consultant and beer teacher at the UCLA, member of the Brewers Association.
FOCUS ON BEER ATTRACTION AND BBTECH EXPO 2019
Dates: 16-19 February 2019; organizers: Italian Exhibition Group SpA in collaboration with Unionbirrai, FIC (Italian Federation of Chefs) and CAST Alimenti; with the patronage of: Emilia Romagna Region and Rimini Municipality; frequency: annual; edition: 5th; admission: reserved exclusively to trade members, on Saturday 16th February only: also open to the (adult) public of beer lovers, foodies and gourmet consumers; hours: Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th and Monday 18th February: 10 am – 6:30 pm; Tuesday 21st February: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; group brand manager – food&beverage division: Flavia Morelli; brand manager: Marco Cecchini; www.beerattraction.it www.bbtechexpo.it #BA2019
Further information:
Silvia Giorgi – silvia.giorgi@iegexpo.it