Backed by the Brewers Association, the results from the 2010 World Beer Cup have been revealed. Originating in 2004, The World Beer cup has weeded through tons and breweries to find the best beers produced in the world. This year's contest featured entries from 642 different breweries bringing 3,300 different to be judged. 44 countries entered the contest, hoping to win an award for 90 different styles of beer. The winners of this year's World Beer cup should be extra proud this year, since its inception the amount of breweries and beers entered has more than doubled.
In the Award most pertinent to US Craft beer, Ballast point was the big winner. Ballast point took the Gold for "World Beer Cup 2010 Champion Brewery and Brewmaster
Small Brewing Company". Ballast point's "Sculpin" and "Big Eye" are two stellar IPAs that surely contributed to their award.
Philadelphia area breweries earned several awards. Newark Delaware based "Iron Hill" were crowned "Best Large Brewpub". Iron Hill currently runs 8 stellar Brewpubs in the immediate Philadelphia area. The pride of Samson street, "Nodding Head" took home the silver in the "German-Style Sour Ale" category with their flagship beer, "Ich Bin Ein Berliner Weisse". Yards Brewing Company took the Bronze medal in the "Extra Special Bitter or Strong Bitter" with their killer session beer "ESA".
In addition to some amazing beers, lots of the beers also had very clever names. Some of my favorite beer names from this year's competition were "Dude! Where's My Vespa?" from Rock Bottom in Arlington, Va, "Bourbon Barrel Aged Piper Down Scottish Ale" from Ballast Point, and "Thor's Hammer" from Central City Brewing from Surrey, Canada
Experimentation and deviation from the norm seemed to be a refreshing aspect of this year's World Beer Cup. The categories for "Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer" and "Herb and Spice Beer or Chocolate Beer" were the categories with the largest entries. These two categories each received more entries than the "American-Style India Pale Ale" and the "American-Style Imperial Stout" category.
Click here for a complete list of winners.
Congrats to all the winners and a big thanks to all the 642 breweries who made this happen and the Brewers Association for hosting a wonderful contest.
picture and results compiled from the official World Beer Cup 2010 web page
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