Latest news with #WorldBeerCup
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Timaru brings best-tasting tap water title back south
Timaru District Council's Seadown water supply has been crowned the best tasting tap water in New Zealand in the 2025 IXOM National Water Taste Test competition. Four New Zealand district councils were vying for the coveted title, including the reigning champions, Rotorua Lakes District Council. Mayor of Timaru, Nigel Bowen, was delighted with the result. 'It is really good water, it's from a shallow well next to the Ōpihi River, so a really good source water and there's not a lot of treatment, a little bit of chlorine and ultraviolet.' It's the third time Timaru's water has taken out top spot, he says, but this is the first win for the Seadown water scheme. The scheme covers 450 households, and farm stock, but also the airport, so visitors can sample for themselves when they land, he says. 'Come to Timaru and try the best water in the country,' he said. Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand chairperson Joshua McIndoe said the finalists were judged on four criteria: colour, clarity, odour and taste. He said the water from Rotorua and Taupō were both from surface water catchments, while Timaru and Waimakariri were both bore water supplies. "That just shows no matter what the source there is a great treatment process to produce really good quality water." He said the competition was a way of showcasing the work operations staff were doing to produce safe, compliant and good tasting, quality drinking water. McIndoe said it was a tough competition, as drinking water quality was high across New Zealand. One of the judges, IXOM technical specialist Rachel Oxtoby was impressed with each of the samples. "This is a tough call. They are all really clear, really crisp, not too much in the way of earth tones, chlorine, or odour. It's hard." It was also a difficult decision for judge Jean Calderon of Water Industry Operations Association of Australia. "They are all delicious, it's interesting. I thought there would be more differences in the odour. It's going to be a tough call." Water Industry Operations Group executive officer Craig Hiddleston identified at least one notable sample. "There's definitely three that are very similar and one that stands out, but not in a good way." Sprig and Fern Brewing Company owner Tracy Banner has been judging beers and ciders for several decades, but it's the first time she's judged water. "I've just literally come back from judging the World Beer Cup in Indianapolis and from there I went to Melbourne and judged the annual Australian International Beer Awards and I was so thrilled to be invited to come and judge water because it is actually a real interest of mine." Banner tasted the water in her Richmond brewery every day to check its quality and said while beer and water tasting were not dissimilar, the latter had proven more difficult. "It was so hard, there were four fantastic finalists who were deserving... it was more difficult than judging beer. "I think it's easier to score on the clarity and the colour than the aroma and the flavour, because they were so close." Previous winners of the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in New Zealand title 2024 Infracore Rotorua Lakes Council 2023 Waimate District Council 2022 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2021 Timaru District Council 2020 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2019 Timaru District Council 2018 Waikato District Council 2017 Sicon (Contractor for Selwyn DC) 2016 Palmerston North City Council
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ's best-tasting tap water found
Timaru District Council's Seadown water supply has been crowned the best tasting tap water in New Zealand in the 2025 IXOM National Water Taste Test competition. Four New Zealand district councils were vying for the coveted title, including the reigning champions, Rotorua Lakes District Council. Mayor of Timaru, Nigel Bowen, was delighted with the result. 'It is really good water, it's from a shallow well next to the Ōpihi River, so a really good source water and there's not a lot of treatment, a little bit of chlorine and ultraviolet.' It's the third time Timaru's water has taken out top spot, he says, but this is the first win for the Seadown water scheme. The scheme covers 450 households, and farm stock, but also the airport, so visitors can sample for themselves when they land, he says. 'Come to Timaru and try the best water in the country,' he said. Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand chairperson Joshua McIndoe said the finalists were judged on four criteria: colour, clarity, odour and taste. He said the water from Rotorua and Taupō were both from surface water catchments, while Timaru and Waimakariri were both bore water supplies. "That just shows no matter what the source there is a great treatment process to produce really good quality water." He said the competition was a way of showcasing the work operations staff were doing to produce safe, compliant and good tasting, quality drinking water. McIndoe said it was a tough competition, as drinking water quality was high across New Zealand. One of the judges, IXOM technical specialist Rachel Oxtoby was impressed with each of the samples. "This is a tough call. They are all really clear, really crisp, not too much in the way of earth tones, chlorine, or odour. It's hard." It was also a difficult decision for judge Jean Calderon of Water Industry Operations Association of Australia. "They are all delicious, it's interesting. I thought there would be more differences in the odour. It's going to be a tough call." Water Industry Operations Group executive officer Craig Hiddleston identified at least one notable sample. "There's definitely three that are very similar and one that stands out, but not in a good way." Sprig and Fern Brewing Company owner Tracy Banner has been judging beers and ciders for several decades, but it's the first time she's judged water. "I've just literally come back from judging the World Beer Cup in Indianapolis and from there I went to Melbourne and judged the annual Australian International Beer Awards and I was so thrilled to be invited to come and judge water because it is actually a real interest of mine." Banner tasted the water in her Richmond brewery every day to check its quality and said while beer and water tasting were not dissimilar, the latter had proven more difficult. "It was so hard, there were four fantastic finalists who were deserving... it was more difficult than judging beer. "I think it's easier to score on the clarity and the colour than the aroma and the flavour, because they were so close." Previous winners of the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in New Zealand title 2024 Infracore Rotorua Lakes Council 2023 Waimate District Council 2022 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2021 Timaru District Council 2020 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2019 Timaru District Council 2018 Waikato District Council 2017 Sicon (Contractor for Selwyn DC) 2016 Palmerston North City Council
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
The Best Lagers Of 2025—According To The World Beer Cup
Lagers from across the globe were given gold medals in various categories at the 2025 World Beer Cup. The resurgence of interest in lagers has been a bright spot in the craft beer industry in recent years. The industry as a whole has experienced some growing pains with people drinking less and more brewery closings, but in that time lagers have increased in popularity among both brewers and beer drinkers. This could be seen at this year's World Beer Cup, the unofficial Olympics of beer held earlier this spring in Indianapolis. All told, more than 8,375 beers and ciders in more than 300 categories were submitted by producers from 49 countries. Lagers were among the most popular categories and more than 1000 different lagers were submitted to the competition from breweries across the U.S. and the globe. These beers were judged by more than 200 judges over 14 tasting sessions. The best lagers were assessed in a variety of categories and judges awarded only one gold medal per category. Pilsners are technically a type of lager, but we've covered some of this year's best pilsner winners previously, so here we will be focusing on other types of lagers that took home gold at this year's World Beer Cup. These award-winning beers hail from multiple countries and range from dark to light lagers and draw on a diverse range of traditional and modern brewing techniques. Classic Non-Alcohol Ale or Lager Gold: Tsingtao Non-Alcoholic Wheat Beer, Tsingtao Brewery Co., Qingdao, China Kellerbier or Zwickelbier Gold: Broumy, Pivovar Matuška, Broumy, Czech Republic American Light Lager Gold: Clubhaus Lager, Von Ebert Brewing, Portland, OR International Light Lager Gold: Solveza, Peaceful Side Brewery, Maryville, TN International-Style Lager Gold: Yamagata, Original Pattern Brewing, Oakland, CA Hoppy Lager Gold: Cold IPA, pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR Munich-Style Dunkel Gold: G.G., Exile Brewing Co., Des Moines, IA International Dark Lager Gold: Late Czech Out, Pilot Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC Munich-Style Helles Gold: Construct Of Quality, Cinder Block Brewery, North Kansas City, MO Dortmunder/Export or German-Style Oktoberfest Gold: The Cushman, Morgan Territory Brewing, Tracy, CA Vienna-Style Lager Gold: Vienna, Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe, NM German-Style Maerzen or Franconian-Style Rotbier Gold: Follow the Lederhosen, Moontown Brewing Co., Whitestown, IN German-Style Schwarzbier Gold: Schwarz Bear, Gatlinburg Brewing Co., Sevierville, TN German-Style Bock or Maibock Gold: Cold Front, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock Gold: Curse The Goat, Shoreline Brewery, Michigan City, IN American-Style Lager Gold: Vacancy Classic, Vacancy Brewing, Austin, TX Contemporary American-Style Lager Gold: El Pato Loco, Able Baker Brewing Co., Las Vegas, NV American-Style Amber Lager Gold: 40 Mike Mike, Free Roam Brewing Co., Boerne, TX Many of these award-winning lagers are made at breweries that have limited distribution, though some offer shipping. You can check each brewery's website for distribution details. You can also search for other winners in your state on the World Beer Cup results page and see if there are any award-winning lagers near your home.
Axios
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Axios
Tasting Massachusetts' only gold medal beer
I recently paid a visit to the brewer of the only gold medal-winning beer in Massachusetts, Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Co., to sample their taps. Why it matters: The Marlborough brewery's Size 6 was named the best Belgian-style dubbel beer at this year's World Beer Cup. Of note: Boston Beer Co.'s Samuel Adams Summer Ale won a bronze medal in the fruit wheat beer category this year. What we drank: To see what all the fuss was about, I got a 10-ounce pour of the Size 6, the brewery's flagship Belgian, for $7. It's 7.5% ABV, so be careful, because this sucker is very, very smashable. Even though it's medium-bodied, the Size 6 had flavor to spare with some sweetness resembling caramel. From there, the Post Road Detour cream ale was the next logical choice for a $7 can pour. It won a 2022 US Beer Open gold medal. It's got a lighter body, but still packs in the flavor at 5.5% Since you'll likely have to drive home from Marlborough, turn things down a bit with the 3.3% Shoemaker's English dark mild for $7.50 for the 20-ounce glass.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Exile Brewing Company wins gold at world beer competition
DES MOINES, Iowa — Exile Brewing Company won gold at the 2025 World Beer Cup. Some metro trails closed because of flash flooding At the World Beer Cup award ceremony held on May 1, Exile Brewing Company took home a gold award for their G.G. brew in the Munich-Style Dunkel beer category. According to Exile, their G.G. brew took home silver at the World Beer Cup in 2024 and has won several other awards at national beer competitions. 'We're proud of our team for their hard work and dedication to our craft,' Joey Hansan, head brewer at Exile, said in a statement. 'It's great to see that recognized with this gold medal from the World Beer Cup.' The World Beer Cup, established by the Brewers Association in 1996, is described as one of the world's most prestigious beer competitions. This year there were over 8,000 entries from over 1,700 breweries across 49 countries. Exile Brewing Company is located in downtown Des Moines. To learn more about the company and see a list of their brews visit their website. Metro News: MercyOne releases statement about split with Medical Center Anesthesiologists Exile Brewing Company wins gold at world beer competition Des Moines churches can act as emergency homeless shelters following council approval Des Moines police investigating shooting in gas station parking lot One dead in morning crash west of Bondurant Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
