European Beer Star honors beers with character that meet the competition's exact criteria in their respective categories.
The three best beers in 60 different categories will be selected. They include internationally renowned types of beer types such as pilsner and lager as well as specialties such as India Pale Ale, Belgian Dubbel and Weizenbock.
An independent committee of prominent, well-known and experienced beer experts and beer sommeliers from around the world will serve on the panel of judges. All submitted beers are evaluated in a blind tasting, which will take place prior to drinktec. Key evaluation criteria are limited exclusively to quality criteria based on our senses and enjoyment, that is, from a consumer's point of view without laboratory analyses.
When crowning a winning beer, the experts have to make a decision, but so do consumers. On September 12, 20107, drinktec's visitors will select a Gold Medal winner in a blind tasting of their three favorites, which will then receive the 'extra' award—the Consumers' Favorite!
The winner of the EUROPEAN BEER STAR award and the Consumers' Favorite will be announced at a festive ceremony at drinktec in Munich. It will be followed by the Night of Winners, where all the award-winning beers will be presented to an audience of professionals and journalists at what could very well be the most exclusive beer bar in the world. The award ceremony itself is a private event: An invitation from the organizer is required.
European Beer Star is organized by private breweries in conjunction the Association of Small and Independent Breweries in Europe (S.I.B.). Partners include the internationally renowned Brauakademie Doemens and Fachverlag Hans Carl. EUROPEAN BEER STAR enjoys the support of BayWa, the Barth-Haas Group as well as Rastal, Micro Matic and BrauBeviale.