Tasting Awards

The IBC Tasting Awards are established through a rigorous judging process - a highly controlled setting of blind tastings by panels of more than 70 respected and experienced industry experts ranging from retailers, importers, publicans brewers, writers and flavour analysts.

Samples  of cans, bottles and mini kegs are delivered to the judging area in flights of numbered tasting glasses to ensure the accuracy of the blind tasting. Each judge will assess products and are looking to reward a well-made, interesting beer that deserve to be consumed, variety which is determined by the entrant and verified by the table captains. Each product is blind tasted and awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold for its aroma, appearance, taste and finish or in some cases, no medal is reached.

The IBC takes great care in ensuring that all products are blind tasted and is conducted impartially. The chairman will monitor each product ensuring that all samples are consistent and authentic. This precise judging process is the basis of the reputation the IBC has established for rewarding quality and celebrating excellence. The Trophy taste-off will be held on a separate day. This will be to decide which beers will be awarded trophies for Best Ale, Best Lager, Best Stout or Porter, Best Wheat Beer, Best Flavoured Beer and Best Speciality Beer, and from these winners, to choose the supreme champion beer.