Firestone Walker IPAs Make Europeans Hoppy

Paso Robles, CA—European beer enthusiasts cast their vote in favor of American hops as Firestone Walker’s Double Jack IPA was named the “Consumer Favourite Gold” for top honors at the European Beer Star competition.

The competition included 1,366 beers from 45 countries. The judging was conducted by 102 expert tasters—including brewmasters, beer sommeliers, and specialized journalists from 25 countries—during a period of two days. The resulting gold medal winners represent “the world’s best beers in 50 beer categories by blind tasting.”

The Consumer Favourite is an additional public prize, with festival attendees blind-tasting all 50 gold medal beers and awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze honors to the top three.

Firestone Walker’s Union Jack IPA was also one of 10 total gold medals awarded to American craft breweries at the competition. A total of 21 American craft breweries won a combined 35 awards in 22 different categories at the event, which was held in Nuremberg, Germany.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the judges of the European Beer Star for beers with big American hop character," said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Our collective results send a strong message that American craft beers are world class and changing the way the rest of the brewing community is thinking about better beer.”

Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA is an aggressive yet balanced Imperial IPA with mouth-puckering hop bitterness. Huge tangerine, grapefruit and juicy fruit aromas blossom over the herbal blue basil and malt earthiness.

For more information on the European Beer Star consumer awards and to view a full medal list, see: http://european-beer-star.com/ebs12_en/gewinner/rueckblick/gewinner2012.php?navid=12
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