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The BBAs judges tasted and assessed a wide array of beer styles, with some surprise brews making it to the top of the charts.
Topping our beer chart was a Belgium blonde, Tongerlo. Judges “absolutely loved it”, noting a higher than normal abv (6%) which “carried great flavour while maintaining rounded mouthfeel”.
The design of the Haacht Brewery-supplied beer was seen as in keeping, “classic and clean”. That all amounted to three high-scoring silvers and a commendable total of 79/100.
Camden, which came into this tasting off the back of good performances in the BBAs in prior years, took second with its Hells Lager. Judges remarked on its “lovely crisp” taste that was “not only refreshing but full of flavour”. The design was commended too – “a modern classic - absolutely love it”.
The brewer’s Pale Ale was instantly fingered in the blind tasting. “I recognised this one straightaway, it has a distinctive taste,” said one judge. A bronze medal for taste and a gold for its “simple and clean” branding, judges thought it was “good value for money too”.
Camden Off Menu IPA took fifth, with judges noting how “clean and light” it was for an IPA. Against its price, Off Menu was still considered “solid value for money”.
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Completing our top five was Ganzberg, a Cambodian beer inspired by the German blond lager style. Judges gave it a silver for taste and a gold for value for money. Not so much fans of the design though.
The Bartenders' Brand Awards follows a three-step process to mirror buying behaviour, with each product blind-tasted, judged on value for money and by design. For more on the methodology behind the BBAs, read more here.