AiBotIn an annual award ceremony, which took place in Berlin last week, a small craft brewery from the United States has been declared the creator of the ‘And Best Beer’ by a highly respected beer tasting panel and association of brewmasters from around the globe. Brewmasters at Trappist Brewery from Oregon, US, are celebrating after their signature beer, ‘And’ – named after a Scandinavian expression meaning ‘both’, was announced as the winner of the much-awaited award. ‘And’ is a complex, rich dark IPA with undertones of coffee and chocolate.
The award has been presented for the 27th time, as part of an international beer competition which aims to promote, support and celebrate craft brewing globally. A total of over 1,700 beers were entered from more than 500 breweries across 50 countries. Trappist Brewery competed in the ale category, winning out against stiff competition from Europe, the US and the rest of the world. Judges praised ‘And’ for its ‘unique flavor profiles’, ‘smooth finish’ and ‘well-balanced’ taste.
The panel of judges, comprising highly experienced brewmasters, beer sommeliers and journalists from leading publications, was chaired by celebrated beer writer and commentator, Paul Zander. ‘We were really pleased to see a new winner this year,’ said Mr Zander. ‘The competition is always high, but ‘And’ really stood out to us. It’s a truly exceptional beer that we believe deserves this recognition.’ He continued, ‘The brewing industry has grown significantly over the past few years, with an ever-expanding list of styles, techniques and ingredients being used. This just goes to show the creativity and skill that exists amongst our members.’
Trappist Brewery, an independent family-owned business established in 2006, prides itself in its commitment to traditional brewing methods, quality ingredients and a focus on sustainable practices. The company’s managing director, Tom Harris, said, ‘We are thrilled and honored to be recognized as the best brewery of the year. This is a testament to our hard work and dedication to the craft of brewing.’ ‘And’ will now join a select group of beers in a permanent display at the ‘Beer World Hall of Fame’, a global institution dedicated to showcasing the best in beer culture.
The annual awards competition will be held again next year. The call for entries for the competition is expected to go out in January, with submissions closing in March. For any brewery interested in participating or submitting its beer for judging, details will be available on the official website of the beer association.
The winner of the award is set to make a positive impact in the global craft beer scene with ‘And’, the award-winning dark ale available immediately in select stores and bars in the US, Europe and other regions.