BEND, OR—Deschutes Brewery beers took center stage at two recent international awards programs –World Beer Awards and European Beer Star 2013, Europe’s largest beer competition. Most notably, the brewery’s new Deschutes River Ale was named the World’s Best Bitter and The Americas Best Bitter (in the up to 4 percent category). The Abyss, Deschutes Brewery’s barrel-aged imperial stout, took home a gold medal.

Brian Faivre brewmaster for Deschutes Brewery said, “Winning awards at both these competitions is a testament to the hard work our brewing team puts into every beer we produce. To be recognized at a national level against all the fantastic breweries out there is confirmation that our commitment to consistency, quality and pushing the envelope is working!”

At the European Beer Star 2013, competition was as tough as it has ever been: a total of 1,512 beers from 40 countries participated in the 2013 competition, an increase of 11% over the previous year. An expert committee evaluated the beers during an all-day blind taste held in the Doemens Brewing Academy in Gräfelfing. The Abyss took home the gold medal in the Imperial Stout category.

The World Beer Award program also selects winners for internationally recognized beer styles from around the world by blind-tasting hundreds of entries from nearly 40 countries. Awards were announced following four rounds of judging by an international, highly respected judging panel. The competition selects, awards, and promotes to consumers the best beers available internationally. A complete list of awards for Deschutes Brewery in 2013 includes:

World’s Best Rankings

• Deschutes River Ale – World’s Best Bitter (Up to 4%)
• The Dissident – World’s Best Label
• Obsidian Stout – World’s Best Stout

The Americas Best Rankings

• Deschutes River Ale – The America’s Best Bitter (Up to 4%)
• Obsidian Stout – The America’s Best Stout
• The Abyss – The America’s Silver
• The Dissident – The America’s Best Oud Bruin
• The Dissident – The America’s Best Label
• Hop Henge Experimental IPA – The America’s Silver.

About Deschutes Brewery
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, Deschutes Brewery began as a brew pub in downtown Bend, Oregon and is known for such brands as Black Butte Porter, its flagship brew and the nation’s number one selling craft porter, and the popular Mirror Pond Pale Ale. In addition to its original Bend pub, this family and employee-owned brewery opened a second pub in Portland’s Pearl District in 2008. The company’s main brewing facility is located on the banks of the Deschutes River and produces over 250,000 barrels of beer annually for distribution in 21 states and two provinces. Deschutes Brewery was named one of America’s Best Places to Work in 2013 by Outside Magazine. To find out more, visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com

PASO ROBLES, CA—In the halls of Firestone Walker Brewing Company, he is known as “Merlin”—and he continues to work his magic at major beer competitions.

Indeed, Brewmaster Matt Brynildson was on hand at the prestigious European Beer Star Competition last week in Munich, Germany to accept the award for “Consumers’ Favourite in Gold” for FirestoneWalker’s Pale 31—the second year in a row that Firestone Walker has claimed top honors at the competition. Last year, the brewery’s Double Jack IPA was named “Consumers’ Favourite in Gold.”

The 2013 European Beer Star Competition included 1,512 beers from 40 countries. The judging was conducted by 102 expert tasters—including brewmasters, beer sommeliers, and specialized journalists from 25 countries. The resulting gold medal winners represent the best beers in 51 beer categories determined by blind tasting. Only one gold, silver and bronze medal is awarded per category.

At the 2013 European Beer Star Competition, Firestone Walker’s Pale 31, Union Jack IPA and Double Jack IPA earned a rare trio of gold medals. The “Consumers’ Favourite” is an additional public prize, with festival attendees blind-tasting all gold medal beers and awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze honors to the top three.

This is the latest feather in Merlin’s cap. Last year, Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Brynildson were named Champion Mid-Size Brewery and Brewmaster for a record fourth time at the World Beer Cup®. Firestone Walker Brewing Company has also been awarded Mid-Sized Brewery of The Year honors three times at the Great American Beer Festival®.

“Matt and his brewing team are a rare breed,” said brewery co-proprietor David Walker. “The United States was second only to Germany in total medal count at this competition. The American craft beer revolution continues to become a global force.”

The complete European Beer Star results can be viewed here: www.european-beer-star.com.

BOULDER, CO—Vying for attention in the international arena, 23 American craft breweries, all members of the Brewers Association’s Export Development Program, won 36 awards in 22 different categories at European Beer Star, one of the most respected and recognized beer competitions in the world. The honorees were announced on September 18 at drinktec in Munich, Germany.

The competition is limited to 51 judging categories with consideration given to types of beer which have their origins in Europe. Over 1,500 beers from 40 different countries were evaluated by 102 beer and brewery expert judges. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded in every category and given for authentic, distinctive beers of impressive taste and quality that best fulfill the criteria of the particular style.

American craft breweries that received gold medal honors included:

“At Deschutes Brewery, we have been participating in the European Beer Star competition for several years, with success.  When we began our brewery, over 25 years ago, our model was a European one where American beer would return to its roots in Britain and continental Europe.  To be able to compete successfully in such a prestigious event as the European Beer Star is validation that our efforts have been worth it,” said Gary Fish, president, Deschutes Brewery. “Our efforts to export beer to Europe are still in their infancy.  However, we know, through the European Beer Star and the Brewers Association Export Development program, our opportunities for success are far greater than if we attempted to develop a new market, sophisticated in beer, on our own it would be incredibly difficult.”

“What an amazing honor to receive our fourth European Beer Star Award for our Left Hand Milk Stout,” said Eric Wallace, president, Left Hand Brewing Company. “We are incredibly proud to produce such a widely acclaimed sweet stout both in the United States and in the European Union. We hold the European Beer Star competition in high regard and it is very rewarding to be recognized on the international stage for our efforts.”

“As demand for products from small and independent craft brewers continues to grow in America, we are seeing the same things in many markets around the world.  Consumers are looking for unique and distinctive products,” said Bob Pease, chief operating officer, Brewers Association. “We’re thrilled to see that the international community is simultaneously responding to the ingenuity of American craft brewers as they continue to produce innovative, flavorful, unique and high-quality beers.”

Exports of American craft beer have maintained tremendous growth over the past several years. The Brewers Association’s Export Development Program reported record exports of American craft beer in 2012, with American craft beer export volume increasing by 72 percent with an estimated value of $49.1 million. Total American craft beer exports have increased by over 500 percent since 2007.

For more information about the European Beer Star Awards and a complete list of the 2013 American craft brewery winners, visit the European Beer Star website. Learn more about the Export Development Program on the Brewers Association website.