The esteemed World Beer Cup Awards took place at The Venetian Las Vegas on April 24th, 2024. This global competition, founded in 1996 by the Brewers Association, is dedicated to showcasing the artistry and science of brewing on a worldwide stage. Unlike the Great American Beer Festival, which focuses solely on beers from within the United States, the World Beer Cup evaluates entries from around the globe, earning it the nickname “The Olympics of Beer Competitions.”
Director of the competition Chris Williams emphasizes that when industry professionals recognize the quality of products within the marketplace, consumers can trust that these brands are among the best available. The awards ceremony recognizes excellence in over 100 categories but does not automatically award the top three entries in each category. Instead, judges award gold, silver, and bronze medals to the first, second, and third-place beers when they determine that a category contains three exceptional examples of a specific style.
Williams stresses that beer evaluation occurs on multiple levels and serves as a form of peer review within the industry. The transparency of the results allows consumers to discover which beers meet high standards and which exemplify specific styles as interpreted by judges. Judges have discretion to grant an award in any one or more of the three places without awarding all three spots, showcasing the diversity and excellence within the competition.
The 2024 World Beer Cup featured several statistics that highlighted innovation and talent within
