Stars and World Champs – Awards for the best in the beverage industry
Competitions and championships are established events on drinktec’s calendar of activities. The best of the best are competing in a range of disciplines again this year: There’s the “European Beer Star” for the most innovative beer products. Promising solutions in beverage marketing are being honored with the “World Beverage Innovation Awards”. Now wine enthusiasts have something new to look forward to: In honor of the first collaboration between SIMEI and drinktec, the “SIMEI Innovation Challenge Lucio Mastroberardino” will also be held in Munich this year.
European Beer Star – The international competition for beers
Never before have there been so many types of beer available as there are now. For quite some time now, familiar types like pils and lagers have shared the shelves with specialty beers from all over the world. The competition among all these varieties is strong, and a distinction at the European Beer Star will keep the competitors at bay. The international beer competition seeks out the best beers from around the globe and distinguishes only the most authentic with gold, silver and bronze. There’s only one condition: The style of beer must have its origin in Europe. Already 2,151 beers from 46 countries were submitted – a new participation record for the European Beer Star.
In the 60 prize categories, the international jury places greatest value on sensory experience, beer quality and enjoyment. The award has been expanded to include four new areas, including two categories for nonalcoholic beers. The winners will be presented in an exclusive “Evening of Champions” on September 13. The Consumer’s Favorite, an award determined by votes from people in the audience, will also be available for tasting at this event. The blind tasting on September 12 will be open to all of the trade fair’s visitors. The event organizer of the European Beer Star is the Association of Private Brewers.
World Beverage Innovation Awards: The award for innovation in the beverage industry
The beverage industry as a whole includes a range of segments that are constantly reinventing themselves. There is great demand for these innovative solutions that are pushing the industry forward, and the World Beverage Innovation Awards honor this excellence. All aspects are considered in the competition’s 26 prize categories – from products to packaging and from marketing to sustainability. Among other areas, awards are given to the best beverage concept, the most influential production innovation and the most exceptional environmental impact initiative. The awards and nominations serve as a strong beacon for the brand and promote awareness among the big players in the segment – far beyond the awards themselves. The presentation will take place on September 14 in the drinktec Forum. This year’s World Beverage Innovation Awards is being organized by FoodBev Media.
The best beer ambassadors: World Championship for Beer Sommeliers
Beer sommeliers have become an integral part of the industry. As promoters of beer culture and beer knowledge, they are vital, modern ambassadors for the traditional beverage. Their expertise ranges from pouring and brewing techniques to beer styles and marketing as well as expertise in topics such as health and beer. The best beer sommeliers are competing in 2017 at the World Championship for Beer Sommeliers. Preliminary national rounds determined 50 sommeliers from the Doemans Akademie who are competing against each other this year; the world champ will be decided on September 10 in a final round with the best six beer sommeliers and selected by a top-class jury. The committee for this event includes the 2015 beer sommelier world champion, Simonmattia Riva.
SIMEI Innovation Challenge seeks creative minds in winegrowing
Thanks to its collaboration with drinktec, the wine technology trade fair SIMEI is celebrating its premiere in Munich, an event that will of course include the SIMEI Innovation Challenge. The award from the Italian winemaking association Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) honors innovation and technological creativity in the wine growing and production industry. The categories “Technological Innovation Award” and “New Technology SIMEI Award” recognize outstanding projects that represent completely new ways of optimizing production processes.
The awards, championships and contests are part of the comprehensive series of events that accompany the trade fair: Special exhibits, networking platforms and the drinktec Forum offer a wide range of opportunities for beverage experts to share their expertise on current topics and trends in the beverage and liquid food industry.
