European Beer Star
The European Beer Star is a beer competition, held in 2013 for the tenth time. Consideration is given to types of beer which have their origins in Europe. All breweries can participate: local, regional, national and worldwide operating breweries, not only from Europe but from all countries.
Prizes are awarded to the beers which best fulfill the respective type criteria, and whose taste and quality impresses the most. In 2012, more than 1,300 beers were tested, an increase of 23% compared with 2011.
Organizers
This award has been initiated by the associations Private Brauereien Deutschland, Private Brauereien Bayern and SIB - the association of small and independent breweries of Europe.
Expert tasting
The tasting is carried out by an expert jury, of independent beer experts from across the world. The yardstick is not the technical laboratory analysis, but a rating from the consumer's viewpoint of sense and taste. The aim of the blind tasting is to find the beers which best fulfill the type criteria of each category and whose taste as well as quality are the most convincing.
Awards
In each category, the three best beers are awarded a gold, silver and bronze medal. Less than three prizes will be awarded if there are no three beers which meet the specified quality and category standards.
Consumers' favourites
Visitors to Brau Beviale, a trade fair for the international beverage industry held in Nuremberg, will have the opportunity to cast their vote which beer they prefer.
Beer categories 2011
- German-Style Leichtbier
- German-Style Pilsner
- Bohemian-Style Pilsner
- German-Style Märzen
- German-Style Festbier
- German-Style Helles / Lager
- European-Style Mild Lager
- European-Style Export
- European-Style Dunkel
- German-Style Schwarzbier
- Bohemian-Style Schwarzbier
- German-Style Heller Bock
- German-Style Dunkler Bock
- German-Style Doppelbock
- Belgian-Style Ale
- Belgian-Style Strong Ale
- Belgian-Style Dubbel
- Belgian-Style Tripel
- Belgian-Style Gueuze Lambic
- Belgian-Style Fruit Lambic
- Belgian-Style Witbier
- English-Style Mild Ale
- English-Style Pale Ale
- India Pale Ale (IPA)
- Imperial India Pale Ale
- English-Style Bitter
- English-Style Golden Ale (Summer Ale)
- Porter
- Dry Stout
- Sweet Stout
- Imperial Stout
- Düsseldorf-Style Altbier
- South German-Style Leichtes Weizen
- South German-Style Hefeweizen Hell
- South German-Style Hefeweizen Bernsteinfarben
- South German-Style Hefeweizen Dunkel
- South German-Style Kristallweizen
- South German-Style Weizenbock Hell
- South German-Style Weizenbock Dunkel
- Smoked Beer
- Herb and Spice Beer
- Specialty Honey Beer
- German-Style Kellerbier Hell
- German-Style Kellerbier Dunkel
- German-Style Kellerpils
- Bottom Fermented Beer with Alternative Cereals
- Top Fermented Beer with Alternative Cereals
- Red and Amber Lager
- Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
- Ultra Strong Beer