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One of the beer industry’s most prestigious competitions, the World Beer Cup took place last week and awards were presented at the conclusion of Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Indianapolis on Thursday night.
Considered by many to be the “Olympics of Beer” this now annual competition is a very big deal.
Winning a World Beer Cup is like winning a Grammy or an Oscar…it brings the world’s attention to even the smallest brewery’s doorstep…and like a hit song or film, it can make a career.
Throughout 14 sessions spanning seven days, a panel of 265 judges hailing from 37 countries evaluated 8,375 entries. Representing 1,761 breweries and cideries across 49 nations, this year’s World Beer Cup competition solidified its status as the premier international professional beer contest.
And here are some key takeaways…
World Beer Cup Competition Statistics
- 16th competition (skipped 2020; annualized starting 2022)
- Entries: 8,375
- Breweries & cideries: 1,761
- Countries: 49
- First-time brewery entries: 317
- Judges: 265
- International judges: 132 from 37 countries
- Judge countries: 37
- Judging sessions and days: 7 days, 14 sessions
- Beer style categories (including subcategories): 112
- Cider categories: 5
- Avg number of beers in each category: 73
Most Entered Style Categories:
- Category 111, Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale, 290 entries
- Category 112, West Coast-Style India Pale, 253 entries
- Category 110, American-Style India Pale Ale, 208 entries
- Category 43, German-Style Pilsener, 186 entries
- Category 39, Hoppy Lager, 155 entries
“The World Beer Cup competition continues to showcase the global industry’s dedication to innovative craftsmanship, diverse flavors, and technical excellence,” said Chris Williams, World Beer Cup competition director….
“This roster of 2025 winners represents the pinnacle of craft brewing and cideries, demonstrating what’s achievable through dedication and passion. Congratulations to this year’s award winners; they have once again helped set the standard for excellence in their craft, inspiring innovation and fostering healthy competition within the industry.”
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