HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL BEER AWARDS WINNERS HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL BEER AWARDS

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Marian Thornton
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1 A Diversified Event: In conjunction with: 2010 WINNERS

Introduction Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic, fast-paced vibrant cities in the world and as such is has one of the most diverse and exciting night-life scenes in the world.

But for all that choice when it comes to drinking beer in Hong Kong the choice is still very limited.

2 Introduction Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic, fast-paced vibrant cities in the world and as such is has one of the most diverse and exciting night-life scenes in the world. From private clubs and style bars to karaoke bars and dai pai dongs there is something to suit every taste and every occasion. But for all that choice when it comes to drinking beer in Hong Kong the choice is still very limited. With the exception of a small handful of specialist bars there is rarely a choice of more than five or six beers available in any given outlet. The aim of the Hong Kong International Beer Awards is both to educate the consumer of the wide variety of different beers and to encourage the licensed trade to increase the options available to their customers. In short the Hong Kong International Beer Awards aims to educate, inspire and raise awareness of the wonderful world of BEER! Cheers Gom Bui Stuart Bailey

Category Winners Lager/ Pilsner Winner: BROOKLYN PILSNER The judges really enjoyed this quite remarkable American amber pilsner.

The judges described this as a good session beer as the sweet finish makes you want to take another big swig.

Liquid Assets Limited Room 202, 2/F, Luki Tower, 5 O Brien Road, Wan Chai, HK Alison Heathcote 852 3582 6396 alison@liquidassets.com.

This Raspberry Lambic beer, rosé in colour, stood head and shoulders above the other entrants in this category.

3 Category Winners Lager/ Pilsner Winner: BROOKLYN PILSNER The judges really enjoyed this quite remarkable American amber pilsner. Brooklyn Pilsner begins with mild grassy hops which gives way to a bready, grainy flavoring that really fills out the middle. The finish has hints of pale malts and a touch of citrusy sweetness. The judges described this as a good session beer as the sweet finish makes you want to take another big swig. Brewed in Brooklyn New York since the late 1800s, this versatile Pilsner would complement most cuisines. Liquid Assets Limited Room 202, 2/F, Luki Tower, 5 O Brien Road, Wan Chai, HK Alison Heathcote alison@liquidassets.com.hk Fruit Beer Winner: LINDEMANS FRAMBOISE Lindemans Framboise (Belgium) is the perfect example of what fruit beer should be. This Raspberry Lambic beer, rosé in colour, stood head and shoulders above the other entrants in this category. It has a magnificent aroma with a delicate palate of raspberries and undertones of fruit acidity; it provides a clean natural taste which would go well with most (particularly chocolaty) desserts. Belgian Beer Intl. Co. Ltd. Room 2, Blk B., Texaco Rd. Ind. Ctr., 14-22, Wang Lung St., Tsuen Wan, HK Wing Ma wingma@belgianbeer.com.hk Organic Beer Winner: BAROSSA VALLEY BREWING ORGANIC ALE Barossa Valley Organic Ale is a bold organic pale ale, it has a fruity/hoppy aroma with floral and spicy notes. Lots of caramel and honey underneath and a good hop length. It can be enjoyed on its own or will complement hearty full flavoured dishes with generous spice. A great beer for a summer barbeque, which comes as no surprise when you consider its Aussie origins. Liquid Assets Limited Room 202, 2/F, Luki Tower, 5 O Brien Road, Wan Chai, HK Alison Heathcote alison@liquidassets.com.hk

Category Winners Dry Stout Winner: YOUNG S DOUBLE CHOCOLATE STOUT If you love chocolate or you love stout then this is for you, a hug in a pint!

A truly magnificent stout for any occasion! Liquid Assets Limited Room 202, 2/F, Luki Tower, 5 O Brien Road, Wan Chai, HK Alison Heathcote 852 3582 6396 alison@liquidassets.com.

Despite the fact that apples are not indigenous to North America they have certainly perfected the art of turning them into cider.

4 Category Winners Dry Stout Winner: YOUNG S DOUBLE CHOCOLATE STOUT If you love chocolate or you love stout then this is for you, a hug in a pint! It pours a dark creamy brown color with a nice thick tan head. A little aroma of chocolate, but the foam hides some of it. Flavor of chocolate and coffee, very smooth and easy drinking beer. A truly magnificent stout for any occasion! Liquid Assets Limited Room 202, 2/F, Luki Tower, 5 O Brien Road, Wan Chai, HK Alison Heathcote alison@liquidassets.com.hk Cider / Perry Winner: HARDCORE CRISP APPLE CIDER Another very popular winner from the USA was Hardcore Crisp Apple Cider. Despite the fact that apples are not indigenous to North America they have certainly perfected the art of turning them into cider. Hardcore Crisp Cider is oak aged to add depth and character and the judges enjoyed the clean taste of the fruit. This is a perfect thirst-quencher on a hot summer s day. Brewery: Liquid Assets Limited Room 202, 2/F, Luki Tower, 5 O Brien Road, Wan Chai, HK Alison Heathcote alison@liquidassets.com.hk Belgium (Std Strength -6%) Winner: ST. PAUL SPECIALE St Paul Speciale - an Abbey Ale from Meer, in the northern part of Belgium, pours a hazy nut brown colour with a nice beige head and good lacework. The taste gives huge amounts of cinnamon, molasses, plums, carrots, fennel and yeast, the judges noted there was a great deal going on in the tasting. Medium to full bodied, low bitterness with a sweet finish and lingering hints of yeast and plums. A sophisticated beer with good spicy/fruity components. Belgian Beer Intl. Co. Ltd. Room 2, Blk B., Texaco Rd. Ind. Ctr., 14-22, Wang Lung St., Tsuen Wan, HK Wing Ma wingma@belgianbeer.com.hk

Category Winners Belgium Style (Strong Ale +6%) Winner: ST. PAUL TRIPLE Another Abby Ale from Meer, St Paul Triple pours a clear golden yellow colour with a big white foam head with amazing lacing.

This beer was considered by all judges to be an excellent choice and a worthy winner. Brewery: Belgian Beer Intl. Co. Ltd. Room 2, Blk B., Texaco Rd. Ind. Ctr., 14-22, Wang Lung St.

Dry citrusy and tropical with a nice depth added by the dark malts. Plenty of piney hoppiness, a rich and full-bodied flavour with a medium-light mouth feel and a little sweetness.

5 Category Winners Belgium Style (Strong Ale +6%) Winner: ST. PAUL TRIPLE Another Abby Ale from Meer, St Paul Triple pours a clear golden yellow colour with a big white foam head with amazing lacing. Aroma of sourdough, and plenty of coriander. Judges mentioned that the taste was a very pleasant tartness up front with some cookie-like sweetness. Buttery thick mouth feel. This beer was considered by all judges to be an excellent choice and a worthy winner. Brewery: Belgian Beer Intl. Co. Ltd. Room 2, Blk B., Texaco Rd. Ind. Ctr., 14-22, Wang Lung St., Tsuen Wan, HK Wing Ma wingma@belgianbeer.com.hk British Style (Std Strength -6%) Winner: BREWDOG 5am SAINT BrewDog 5am Saint is a chestnut colour with a slightly off-white head. Dry citrusy and tropical with a nice depth added by the dark malts. Plenty of piney hoppiness, a rich and full-bodied flavour with a medium-light mouth feel and a little sweetness. From the Scottish independent brewery BrewDog, established in 2007 this is a truly remarkable product coming from such a young brewery. My Brewery Tap 16 St Mary s Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8EY, UK Katherine Forshaw 44 (0) sales@mybrewerytap.com British Style (Strong Ale +6%) Winner: BELHAVEN SCOTTISH STOUT The Belhaven Scottish Stout is a blend of three different malts, and from the first sip it is overwhelmingly rich and roasty. The taste is bitter cocoa and very dark and bitter coffee, with faint elements of smoke and charcoal amid the black patent and chocolate malts, and just a trace of sweetness to offset the roast. Once famously dubbed Guinness worst nightmare, Belhaven Scottish Stout is a must try for all stout lovers. Brewery: Solar Max Limited Unit 4, 4/F, Harbour Industrial Centre, 10 Lee Hing Street, Ap Lei Chau, HK Peter Riha riha_hk@pacific.net.hk

Category Winners German (Std Strength -6%) Winner: MAISEL S WEISSE ORIGINAL A traditional weissbier made according to the old Bavarian style with the unmistakable character of fine cellar yeast.

Aromas of bread, cloves and banana, the flavour are medium sweet with a lively refreshing mouth feel and low bitterness in the finish. Medium bodied with a slick texture.

Int l (Std Strength -6%) Winner: RUEDRICH S RED SEAL ALE Red Seal Ale from the North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg, California has come up with a beer which in the opinion of the judges strikes

6 Category Winners German (Std Strength -6%) Winner: MAISEL S WEISSE ORIGINAL A traditional weissbier made according to the old Bavarian style with the unmistakable character of fine cellar yeast. Maisels-Weisse pours cloudy orangey-brown with an ample lasting frothy dense white head. Aromas of bread, cloves and banana, the flavour are medium sweet with a lively refreshing mouth feel and low bitterness in the finish. Medium bodied with a slick texture. A fine example of great German unfiltered wheat beer. Int l (Std Strength -6%) Winner: RUEDRICH S RED SEAL ALE Red Seal Ale from the North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg, California has come up with a beer which in the opinion of the judges strikes the perfect balance between refreshment and substance. The aroma has orange like fragrance with some toffee overtones. In the taste the hops are well upfront, but are not over powering. The malt comes through as caramel and the hops are there to make sure this beer doesn t fail to delight. This is not the first award Red Seal has won and from the reaction of the judges it will probably not be the last. Solar Max Limited Unit 4, 4/F, Harbour Industrial Centre, 10 Lee Hing Street, Ap Lei Chau, HK Peter Riha riha_hk@pacific.net.hk Foreign Devil Ltd Room 1702, 17/F, Asian House, 1 Hennessy Road, HK Christie Johnston johnston_christie@gmail.com Int l (Strong Ale +6%) Winner: ACME IPA Another winner from the North Coast Brewing Company, Acme IPA is profoundly hoppy, finished with over a pound of fresh whole hops per barrel. The result of this generous hopping is a beer that is deliciously dry, and eminently drinkable in spite of its apparent strength. The judges were all agreed that this is the perfect example of an IPA and would suit all types of cuisine. Foreign Devil Ltd Room 1702, 17/F, Asian House, 1 Hennessy Road, HK Christie Johnston johnston_christie@gmail.com

Overall Winner Overall Winner: BrewDog 5am Saint The BrewDog Brewery was started by two friends Martin and James, who in their words became tired of the industrially brewed lagers and stuffy ales

7 Overall Winner Overall Winner: BrewDog 5am Saint The BrewDog Brewery was started by two friends Martin and James, who in their words became tired of the industrially brewed lagers and stuffy ales that dominate the beer market and decided to do something to change things. In April 2007, in a small workshop just outside Fraserburgh, on the northeast tip of Scotland they set about making some hardcore beers. Their rise from then has been meteoric and they are already Scotland s largest independent brewery and their beer Punk IPA is the fastest growing alternative beer brand in the UK. The secret to their success is a very straight forward approach to brewing, using only the best malt, hops, herbs, spices, fruits and speciality sugars sourced from around the world combined with the freshest soft Scottish water. They do not use any preservatives, additives, flavour enhancers or pasteurisation techniques. Production is kept small; just 5000 bottles per batch which allows the brewmaster to keep precise control throughout but still have the flexibility to make any beer their minds can create. The bottling line and everything is done on site leaving nothing outside of their direct control. The BrewDog team currently consists of 14 people from 6 countries giving them a pool of more ideas, knowledge and talent from all corners of the globe. BrewDog say that they are all about breaking rules, taking risks, upsetting trends, unsettling institutions, but first and foremost - great tasting beers. It is the opinion of the Hong Kong International Beer Awards that they have done just that! My Brewery Tap 16 St Mary s Road, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8EY, UK Katherine Forshaw 44 (0) sales@mybrewerytap.com

Judges Our Esteemed Judges Mr. Toby Cooper - The Globe, Managing Director Mr. Patrick Gatherer - The Globe, Bar Manager Mr. Stuart Bailey - Restaurant & Bar HK, General Manager Mr.

8 Judges Our Esteemed Judges Mr. Toby Cooper - The Globe, Managing Director Mr. Patrick Gatherer - The Globe, Bar Manager Mr. Stuart Bailey - Restaurant & Bar HK, General Manager Mr. David Tamlyn - Pressroom Group, Executive Chef Mr. Ivan Fernie - Aqua Group, Operations Director Mr. Mark Tjhung - Time Out Magazine, Big Smog Mr. Richard Lord - HK Tattler, Reporter Ms. Carmen Li - Crave Magazine, Director/Publisher Judging System Each beer was tasted blind with the judges having no knowledge of what it was or where it came from. The beers were then scored by each judge out of 100 points (0 points -being undrinkable muck and 100 points - being the nectar of the gods). These points were awarded in two categories: Appearance & Aroma (0-20 points): It s important that a beer looks right and you can tell a great deal about a beer from how it looks. The colour gives you an indication of the style and type of malt used. Condition and body are important (the head), and we also looked for carbonization (in the relevant categories) the size of the bubble and the foam - or lacing the head leaves on the side of the glass, as these all affect the taste. As most of our sense of taste is in our nose the smell also tells us a lot about a beers identity or personality, is it bitter, sweet, sour, etc The perfect brew should smell so could you will be dying to get it in your mouth. Tasting (0-80 points): Beer is a product meant to be taken orally, not nasally, and no matter how good a beer looks or smells it s the performance in the mouth that really counts. How does it travel? Does it stall on the mid-palate? Does it race through without really giving the taste buds much to do? The balance of sweetness and bitterness must be right and it must finish well. After the arduous judging process the scores were then added up. The highest and the lowest scores were then discounted and the mean average score indicates our winners. We are very pleased to announce our 2010 winners and we look forward to running this competition on an annual basis as more and more interesting beers from around the world find their way to Hong Kong! Diversified Events Hong Kong 2707B 27/F Island Place Tower, Island Place, 510 King s Road, North Point, Hong Kong Tel: Fax: info@restaurantandbarhk.com

Lithuanian Beer Limited

LITHUANIAN BEER LTD Lithuanian Beer Limited Lithuanian Beer Limited was founded in 2002. We started with importing a carefully selected beer brands from Lithuania. Later, due to the huge demand, the product