Belgium took top honours at the Brussels Beer Challenge (BBC) once again, but Italy’s surprise second place was the standout story of the 12th edition.
The Netherlands rounded off the podium in third place, bagging 34 medals, with Italy securing three more and Belgium taking home awards for 80 beers. The presentation ceremony took place on Monday at the Horeca Expo in Ghent.
Belgium and Italy, with the most samples on offer, dominated the international contest where over 1,800 beers from 37 countries were evaluated by a 100-strong global jury.
Still, Italy’s second spot underscores the country’s renewed love of brewing. "Numerous microbreweries have popped up nationwide, offering an impressive array of quality, artisanal and experimental beers," noted the organisers.
Interestingly, the detailed list of winners highlights Italy’s breakthrough, as the 7% amber beer Millican Extra from Mezzopasso Brewery in Abruzzo was named the best beer of the competition.
On home turf, Brussels-based Surrealist brewery’s session IPA, Dance Rave Dance, was crowned the best Belgian beer.
Other noteworthy competitors include the Ter Dolen brewery in Houthalen, Limbourg and the Belgian branch of Swinkels Family Brewers, both of which secured four medals.
Swinkels’ flagship Rodenbach beer, along with its variants Alexander and Grand Cru, swept the Flemish Red category. Lastly, the Dupont brewery in Tourpes, Hainaut, walked away with three medals.
