Not only has the beer from the world’s oldest brewery been passionately enjoyed in Australia for ages, but every year, the renowned Australian International Beer Awards, organized by Melbourne Royal, also bring home precious metal. This year, Weihenstephan received a special honor: the title of “Champion Large International Brewery.”

This title is not easily earned: the beers submitted must also be awarded medals by an international expert panel – and that happened to a remarkable degree. The brewery can now boast a total of eight medals, more than any other competitor. This is no small feat: after all, the beers from the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan first have to make the long journey to Australia for judging. “It is a great achievement by our brewers that the quality remains so consistent,” says Director Prof. Dr. Josef Schrädler with pride. During the several-week sea voyage to Down Under, the taste of Weihenstephan’s beers remains unchanged – a guarantee for success at the awards. This shows that quality control is working: at every single step of the brewing process, the team led by Technical Lead Tobias Zollo tests the beers’ properties all the way to the final tasting. Because: “It’s important to us that no beer leaves the brewery without us having tasted it first.” This way, they can ensure that Weihenstephan beers retain their characteristic flavor everywhere in the world.

Head of Export Marcus Englet is overjoyed: “Eight medals is an outstanding achievement. But to also receive the title of best large international brewery leaves us speechless! In just a few weeks, we will be welcoming our importers from around the world to a major conference here in Weihenstephan – this award is the perfect greeting.”

The following beers were awarded:

• Gold: Vitus (bottle), Kristallweißbier (bottle)
• Silver: Original Helles (keg and bottle), Kristallweißbier (keg), Kellerbier (bottle), Hefeweißbier Dunkel (bottle)
• Bronze: Hefeweißbier (bottle)