Zip’s Brewhouse of Hungary wins Alltech Commonwealth Craft Beer Cup with Christmas Ale

A Christmas ale from a tiny brewery in northeastern Hungary was awarded the Alltech Commonwealth Craft Beer Cup, the first professional beer competition in Kentucky. The competition boasted 1,000 beers from 30 countries across the globe competing for the title. The top award was announced at the Alltech Craft Brews and Food Fest Saturday in Lexington, an event that drew 41 national and local craft breweries and nearly 4,500 craft beer enthusiasts. Following the success of the second annual international Dublin Craft Beer Cup in Ireland in February, Alltech decided to bring the excitement and passion back home to the Bluegrass State.

Zip’s Christmas 2013 beer from Zip’s Brewhouse out of Miskolc, Hungary, was described by the judging panel as a “heavily spiced ale balanced with a malty sweetness, creating an ideal Christmas beer.” The brew boasted cinnamon, ginger, star anise, curacao, nutmeg, lemon peel, among other spices. The small brewery is owned and operated by Zip Technologies, a brewery equipment supplier.

Award-winning brewers received gold, silver and bronze medals. Lexington’s own Blue Stallion Brewing Co. won silver for its German Pilsner, Marzen and Oatmeal Stout, as well as a bronze medal for its Munich Dunkel Dark Lager. In total, 45 bronze, 36 silver and six gold medals were awarded.

Winners were chosen by an expert panel of judges based on blind judging of appearance, aroma, flavor, body, style and quality.