Worldwide win for Big Drop’s Citra IPA
Big Drop’s Citra IPA has won the overall Champion’s trophy for ‘Non and Low Alcohol Beer’ at The International Brewing and Cider Awards 2019.
The Citra IPA, which only joined Big Drop’s core range of 0.5% ABV craft beers last month, has also achieved the Holy Grail of any non-alcoholic drink by winning an award against full-strength competitors: the ‘King of Craft’ at the 2019 Casual Dining show.
The International Brewing and Cider Awards – established in 1888 and attracting entries from 200+ breweries and cider mills from around world – was judged by an international panel of 50 judges. Over 1,000 beers and ciders from 50 countries were submitted for judging, which took place over an intensive three-day period.
Mike Wood, MP for Dudley South and Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, said: “One of the major factors in the enormous growth of non alcoholic beers has been the vast improvements in the quality of these beers. No longer a dusty bottle on the shelf that people avoid like the plague. Brewers are now producing some wonderful beers that are a joy to drink – and happen to have the advantage of being non alcoholic. They deserve our thanks and congratulations.”
Winners of all 12 Championship Trophies, considered among the industry’s most coveted awards, were announced at a prestigious awards ceremony at the Guildhall, London. Other trophy winners included: Fuller, Smith & Turner, Black Sheep Brewery and St Austell Brewery.
Ruth Evans MBE, Director of Brewing Technology Services who oversee the awards, added: “The Championship Trophy winners’ announcement is the culmination of a lengthy judging process, where our panel of 50 industry professionals vote for those beers and ciders that they would be prepared to stake their future success on. The quality of the entries we receive each year is exceptionally high and our twelve Championship Trophy winners represent the crème de la crème of their respective categories. Congratulations to all!”
NOTES TO EDITOR
A full list of all winners can be found at: https://www.brewingawards.org/
About International Brewing Awards
The International Brewing Awards is the longest established brewing competition in the world, having first been held in 1888. Since then, the competition is focussed upon searching out excellence and rewarding it across all styles of commercially brewed beer. The winning brands are awarded medals and trophies from the world’s most professional tasting panel, comprised exclusively of experienced commercial brewers. The competition has evolved and developed with the global industry and has accommodated many changes in the market over its 130 year history.
Further information
Big Drop’s Awards & Accolades
Big Drop’s Pale Ale was named World’s Best Pale Beer (low strength) at the World Beer Awards 2017.
Its Stout won a Gold Medal at the International Beer Challenge and a UK Silver Medal at the World Beer Awards when judged against full-strength stouts and porters. It also won a Gold medal at the US Open Beer Championship.
Its Citra IPA was crowned ‘King of Craft’ at the 2019 Casual Dining show, which was dominated by full-strength beers. It also won the overall Champion’s trophy for ‘Non and Low Alcohol Beer’ at The International Brewing and Cider Awards and a Silver medal at the US Open Beer Championship.
Big Drop was also one of three ‘Best Drinks Producers’ in the 2018 BBC Food & Farming Awards.
“Big Drop specialises in alcohol-free beer and it’s all good. I tried the pale ale and the lager, too, and both are excellent, but the stout really is the business.” — Adrian Chiles, The Guardian
“The most impressive no/low alcohol beer I have ever tried; no argument, it just is.” — Melissa Cole, British Guild of Beer Writers
“In my view, by far the best of the low-alcohol brigade is Big Drop Brewing Co. All its beers come in at just 0.5%, and all of them are excellent – the stout in particular is a jaw-dropper. Superb flavour without compromise.” — Olly Smith, Mail on Sunday
About Big Drop
Big Drop was launched in 2016 as the world’s first brewer dedicated to alcohol-free beer by the-then City lawyer, Rob Fink and long-time friend James Kindred.
Both had recently become fathers and were looking to cut back on the booze but could not find any decent alternatives to their favourite craft beers.
Along with experimental brewer, Johnny Clayton, they perfected techniques to make a range of 0.5% abv beer styles – but crucially without the need for alcohol extraction – resulting in a fuller-flavour.
Big Drop has won over 40 major international beer titles including four times being judged ‘World’s Best’ at the World Beer Awards and beating full-strength beers in blind tastings.
Big Drop contract brews in batches through a network of brewing partners worldwide, meaning it can produce fresh beer – locally and ethically – with a minimal carbon footprint.
Recognised as the market leader in the rapidly growing AF craft beer sector, Big Drop can now be found in over 10,000 locations – including throughout Europe, Australia, Canada and – soon to be – the US. In the UK, Big Drop has listings with major pub groups (eg Mitchells & Butlers), restaurant chains (eg Nando’s) and retailers (eg Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons and Ocado) as well as on the High Street with Holland & Barrett and on doorsteps with Milk & More.
Its range of beers, which are all <0.5% abv, currently consists of: Stout, Lager, Pale Ale, Citra IPA, Brown Ale, Golden Ale, Hazelnut Porter and a Sour as well as special editions and collaborations with other leading brewers.
Further information: [email protected]