The European Beer Star competition of 2023 has drawn attention to the vibrant world of brewing, boasting an impressive participation of 2356 beers hailing from 553 breweries, representing 47 countries. This year’s tasting marathon unfolded at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre on September 14th and 15th, with eager anticipation building towards the awards ceremony scheduled for November 28th to 30th, 2023, at BrauBeviale.
While the competition’s name may suggest a purely European affair, it welcomes global contenders, defining ‘European’ as beers primarily originating from Europe. The competition encompasses 74 distinct beer styles, subject to a meticulous, anonymized tasting procedure. From the perennial favorite German-Style Pils to the more exotic Herb and Spice Beer, and even non-alcoholic brews, this eclectic mix ensures a thorough evaluation of the brewing world’s diversity. A noteworthy addition this year is the Polish Grodziskie, a rediscovered gem being brewed anew by select Polish breweries.
Kilian Kittl, the European Beer Star Project Manager at the organizing body Private Brauereien Bayern e.V., revealed the rigorous evaluation process undertaken by the panel of judges. The sensory criteria of appearance, aroma, and taste form the basis of assessment. Preliminary rounds assign scores to each beer, determining their progression to subsequent rounds. In the intermediate and final stages, judges collectively decide which brews deserve gold, silver, and bronze medals across the 74 categories.
To maintain impartiality, all beer samples are meticulously coded, preventing identification of the beers or their respective breweries. The competition boasts inclusivity, attracting entries from both renowned large-scale breweries and smaller, specialized counterparts.
Stefan Stang, General Manager of Private Brauereien Bayern e.V., noted the competition’s strength lies in its ability to level the playing field for all breweries, regardless of their size or reputation. He emphasized, “All facets of the industry are represented.”
The competition unfolds with judges meticulously assessing each beer and recording their evaluations. Typically, each table comprises seven to nine tasters who sample a ‘flight’ of 8–10 beers per round. Kilian Kittl acknowledged that while some established breweries have reaffirmed their awards multiple times, newcomers have also managed to steal the spotlight at the awards ceremony.
The highly anticipated winners of the European Beer Star 2023 will be unveiled at BrauBeviale 2023, a prominent trade fair dedicated to the production and marketing of beverages. The awards ceremony is slated to occur in the BrauBeviale Forum on November 29th, 2023, within Hall 1, marking a pivotal moment in the recognition of outstanding brews from around the world.
