(New York, NY) – For the first time ever, the New York International Beer Competition (“NYIBC”) was held at Jimmy’s #43 on February 26th to evaluate and judge hundreds of the world’s best beer. Countries from all over the world submitted their brands to be critiqued by a hand-selected panel of A-List and key TRADE ONLY judges – beer buyers, beer retail storeowners, restaurant/bar proprietors, beer distributors and importers – those that have the unique ability to make a direct impact on sales.

“I’m honored that Samuel Adams has been recognized by the New York International Beer Festival. We are proud to stand beside so many great craft beer colleagues, especially in New York, a city with so many knowledgeable people who know beer, sell beer, and drink craft beer. ” says Jim Koch, Founder & Brewer of Samuel Adams/Boston Beer Co.

Giuseppe Collesi of Italy’s Collesi Brewery, which won the 2012 International Brewery of the Year Award from NYIBC, agrees: “I’m honored and thrilled to receive the 2012 International Brewery of the Year from NYIBC.  This prestigious NYIBC award comes at a time when we are trying hard to get our beers distributed in the US and I believe it will substantially help to speed up the brand recognition and awareness among the discerning US beer consumer.”

While other renowned competitions prize up to 85% of entrants with awards and gold medals, the discerning panel and ethos of the NYIBC is to honor the brands that are most deserving among their peers.  This year, NYIBC prized only 4% of its entrants with top medals.

Top Honors include:
International Brewery of the Year: Collesi Brewery of Italy
International Beer Importer of the Year: Wein Bauer
U.S Brewery of the Year: Boston Beer Company

Winning Beer  – separated by Medal and Category
Gold

American Pale Ale
Mountain Goat
American Style Dark Ale
Sam Adams Dark Depths
Brown Porter
Wormtown Pro Am Porter
Coffee Beer
Sam Adams Black & Brew
Smoke Beer
Sam Adams Bonfire Rauch
Wood Aged Strong Beer
Sam Adams Utopias 2011

Silver

German Style Kolsch
Sam Adams East West Kolsh
Bohemian Style Pilsner
Sam Adams Noble Pils
Sam Adams Boston Lager
British Style Imperial Stout
Wormtown Sweet Tats Stout
Classic English Style Pale Ale
Bronx Brewery Pale Ale
English Style IPA
Blue Point Hoptical Illusion
German Style Dopple Bock
Sam Adams Double Bock
Rye Beer
Blue Point Rasta Rye

Bronze

American Style Dark Lager
Sam Adams Winter Lager
Belgian & French Style Ale
Brasserie Jenlain Blonde Biere
St Sylvestre
Belgian Style Blonde Ale
Colessi Imper Ale Chiara
Hop Ritter
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Collesi Imper Ale Rosa
Other Belgian Style Ale
Collesi Imper Ale Nera
British Style Imperial Stout
Sam Adams Imperial Stout
Sam Adams Winter Ale
Vanberg Lava Smoked Imperial Ale
Brown Porter
Sam Adams Holiday Porter
Classic English Style Pale Ale
Sam Adams Pale Ale
Fruit Beer
Bluepoint Blueberry Ale
Sam Adams American Kriek
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
Herb & Spice Beer
Sam Adam Olds Fezziwig
Old Ale
Pumpkin Beer
Sam Adams Harvest Pumpkin
Scottish Style Ale
Sam Adams Scotch Ale
Ciders
Sam Adams Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
Sam Adams Orchard Apple Ginger

About NYIBC:
Founded by Adam Levy, aka the “Alcohol Professor”, in February 2012, The New York International Beer Competition (“NYIBC”) is the first major international beer competition with trade-only judges from top to bottom.  Judges are buyers from top beer retail stores, restaurant & bar owners and beer distributors & importers. This guarantees that each beer judged is evaluated by those who make real impact on product sales. Each product submitted is tested against other brands blindly according to its product category as well as its pricing category. Beers are rated on a set of criteria including appearance, aroma, taste, mouthfeel and finish.

Award levels are Double Gold, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.  Double Gold award winners are re-tasted by all panelists to establish which brands are eligible to receive a ‘Best of Category’ endorsement in their pricing category.

NYIBC prides itself in the fact that it does not award medals to all of its product submissions. Only 4% of submissions receive medals as opposed to other international beer competition that give away 85%+ medals, diminishing the importance and significance of being honored.

In May 2012 Adam Levy will be kicking off the third annual New York International Wine Competition. For more information about the competition please visit: www.nyibeercompetition.com.