Bavarian breweries have triumphed at the World Beer Awards in London, with several beers earning prestigious titles, including the world’s best wheat beer and stout.
Every year, the World Beer Awards take place in London, celebrating the finest beers from around the globe. This prestigious event sees participation from 3,200 beers hailing from 50 countries. The awards are described by the organizers as “global honors that recognize the best in all internationally recognized styles, showcasing the world’s best beers to consumers and trade worldwide.” In addition to acknowledging various beer types, the awards also highlight outstanding design. This year, several Bavarian breweries emerged victorious in different categories.
Best wheat beer and more: Bavarian breweries shine
The competition is divided into multiple taste categories, including dark beer, wheat beer, lager, IPA, pale beer, flavored beer, non-alcoholic beer, sour and wild beer, stout & porter, and beer specialties. In each category, a main winner is crowned, along with “style winners” who represent the best beer in each specific style, akin to subcategories.
Bavarian beers claimed top honors in two out of the ten taste categories. The Hefeweißbier Dunkel from Weihenstephaner was awarded the title of “World’s Best Wheat Beer,” recognizing it as the best wheat beer globally. This continues Weihenstephaner’s streak of success, as the brewery had previously won numerous titles in the past year. Additionally, the Herrnbräu brewery from Ingolstadt secured the title of “World’s Best Bavarian Style Hefeweiß” in a subcategory. The world’s best Kristallweizen was also awarded to a Bavarian brew, specifically from Franziskaner.
Bamberg brewery among the top stout and lager producers
In another taste category, a brewery from Bamberg achieved victory. The title of “World’s Best Stout & Porter” was awarded to Zapfenduster, a beer from the Weiherer Brauerei. Two Bavarian beers also excelled in subcategories within the “World’s Best Lager” category.
The Celebrator Doppelbock from Ayinger earned the title of the world’s best strong lager, while the Spezialbier Edel from Allgäuer Brauerei ABK was named the “World’s Best Oktoberfestbier & Märzen.” Additionally, the “West Coast IPA” from the Bayreuther Brauerei Maisel & Friends claimed the title of the world’s best American-style IPA. However, in the design categories, no Bavarian brewery managed to secure a top spot.