The annual Meiningers International Craft Beer Award took place earlier this month, reviewing 1,090 beers from 28 nations. For the second year in a row, Brahuaus Riegele of Augsburg, Germany, was named Craft Brewer of the Year, in recognition of its 12 overall medals that included one platinum, six gold, and five silver.
Riegele received a platinum medal and was awarded Best Weizen for its Hefe Weisse. In addition, the brewery earned six gold medals for Augustus 8, Aechtes Dunkel, Magnus 17 Edition Sherry, Robustus 6, Auris 19 and Leichte Weisse. The brewery took home five silver medals for Dulcis 12, Simco 3, IPA Liberis 2, IPA Liberis 3, and Ator 20 Dunkel.
“Riegele was once again awarded the Best German Craft Brewer 2018; what an honor to defend the title from 2017,” exclaimed Sebastian Priller Riegele, world champion beer sommelier and Riegele’s 28th generation brewer. “A big thank you to our brewers, for all the time and hard work they put into making these beers. The Riegele family has focused on producing outstanding beers since 1386, and it’s incredibly rewarding to have our hard work repeatedly recognized at such a prestigious international competition.”
This marked the fifth 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, researchers, and journalists.
More about Riegele
Riegele is one of the most awarded breweries in Europe; earlier this year, the Bavarian brewery was awarded the coveted 2018 Brewery of the Year from The German Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In 2017, it took home 17 medals at the Meiningers International Craft Beer Award, and was named the 2017 German Craft Beer of the Year. The brewery has also been voted as Europe’s Best Brewery at the European Beer Star and 2016 World Cup of Beer; named 2015 German Craft Brewery of the Year; won the prestigious DLG National Prize an unprecedented nine times in a row; and had its Commerzienrat Riegele Privat proclaimed 2010 German Beer of the Decade.
Riegele is imported by Luxe Brands and is currently being distributed by Sarene Craft Beer in NY and NJ; Cavalier Distributing in OH and IN; Massachusetts Beverage Alliance in MA; Imperial Beverage in MI; Microman in FL; Shangy’s in PA; Lipman Brothers in TN; and is available in Kentucky.
