The fourth annual Meiningers International Craft Beer Awards took place on May 3 and May 4, reviewing 970 beers from 28 nations. Brauhaus Riegele of Augsburg, Germany, was named Craft Brewer of the Year in recognition of its 17 medals; four platinum, four gold and nine silver.
Riegele received four platinum medals for Simco 3 Hopfiges Lebensglück, Robustus 6 Malziges Feuerwerk, Noctus 100 Schwarzes Geheimnis and Magnus 15 Edition Bourbon. The brewery was awarded four gold medals for Dulcis 12 Süße Verführung, Auris 19 Goldenes Feuer, Ator 20 Dunkle Versuchung and Riegele Würziges Export. The brewery took home nine silver medals for Lauterbacher Weissbier Hell, IPA Liberis 2+3 Edition Alkoholfrei, Riegele Alte Weisse, Augsburger Herren Pils, Augustus 8 Fruchtiges Aromenspiel, Riegele Aechtes Dunkel, Commerzienrat Riegele Privat, Riegele Hefe Weisse and Bayerisch Ale 2.
Bayerisch Ale 2 was a collaborative transatlantic brewing project with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. The limited production beer was brewed at the Riegele Brewery in Augsburg using three of Riegele’s special yeast strains, two types of malt and a combination of Amarillo, Citra, Cascade and Simcoe hops, resulting is a complex, unfiltered Bavarian-made American pale ale.
“We are so honored to have received such high accolades from this esteemed panel,” stated Sebastian Priller Riegele, world champion beer sommelier and Riegele’s 28th generation brewer. “The Riegele family has focused on producing outstanding beers since 1386, and it’s incredibly rewarding to have our hard work recognized at such a prestigious international competition.”
This marked the fourth year the German publishing house giant, Meininger International, has held the International Craft Beer Award. Beers were evaluated, tasted and rated by an international panel of 90 expert judges that included beer sommeliers, brewers, beer experts from trade, research and journalists.
Riegele is imported by Luxe Brands and is currently being distributed by: Cavalier Distributing in Florida, Ohio and Indina; Sarene Craft Beer Distributors in New York; River City Distributing in Kentucky: and Massachusetts Beverage Alliance in Massachutes, with more markets to come.
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