While the American craft beer scene has indeed loomed large over the last few decades, and rightfully so if I may say so, there are still a ton of great brews spread across the globe. That’s why it behooves any lover of tasty brews to pay attention to other beer competitions besides the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). These events shine a light on all the fantastic things that are happening across the globe and can lead a discerning drinker to some special pints.
The World Beer Awards (WBA) and the World Beer Cup are two events to pay attention to each year. The World Beer Cup, organized by Brewers Association, the same group that holds the GABF, awarded a slew of honors to breweries across the planet earlier this year, and now it’s the World Beer Awards turn.
Held in person for the first time since the pandemic, the WBA blind tasted and scored more than 3,200 beers from more than 50 countries to identify the best beers in 10 categories. Holding heats in Brazil, Chile, Canada, Japan, Germany, the USA, and the UK, beers went through three rounds in an elimination-style format. Only the best could move on.
The country winners who emerge as the World’s Best in 92 different styles then go head to head to see who is awarded the coveted title of World’s Best in each of the 10 categories. It is a long and arduous process to emerge on top finally, and each of the winners are beers to be searched out. Here are the grand champions. To see the complete list of winners, go to the World Beer Awards site.
Cap D’Ona Grand Cru Brune
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Dark Beer
Cap D’Ona Grand Cru Brune, France
Thornbridge Necessary Evil Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Flavoured Beer
Thornbridge Necessary Evil Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout, UK
Camba Black Shark Imperial IPA.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best IPA
Camba Black Shark, Germany
Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Lager
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock, Germany
The Flying Dutchman Freak Kriek Zero Point Three.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best No & Low Alcohol
The Flying Dutchman Freak Kriek Zero Point Three Feel Free Merry Cherry Beer, Finland
Vale Brewing Tropic Ale.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Pale Beer
Vale Brewing Tropic Ale, Australia
Queue De Charrue Vielle Brune.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Sour & Wild Beer
Queue De Charrue Vieille Brune, Belgium
Indie Alehouse Vine Song 5.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Speciality Beer
Indie Alehouse Vine Song 5, Canada
Original Beer Company Memorable Moments Bullrock Stout.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Stout & Porter
Original Beer Company Memorable Moments Bullrock Stout, Republic of Korea
Schützengarten Weizeneisbock.
World Beer Awards
World’s Best Wheat Beer
Schützengarten Weizeneisbock, Switzerland