E-Malt.com News article: 2519

USA, Milwaukee: Miller Brewing Company and Miller Brewmaster Dr. David Ryder were named the World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster (Large Brewing Company) at the Association of Brewers World Beer Cup(R) 2004 where the most outstanding beers in the world were recognized Saturday, April 17. Miller and its subsidiaries together walked away with more awards than any other brewer taking one gold, five silver and one bronze medals as part of a global beer competition at the Association of Brewers World Beer Cup(R) Gala Awards in San Diego, Calif, PRNewswire posted on April 20.

"We are extremely proud to be recognized as the World Beer Cup Champion Large Brewing Company and Brewmaster," said Dr. David Ryder, Miller Brewing Company's vice president of brewing, research and quality assurance. "These awards and medals are a testament to our nearly 150 years of brewing heritage, the unsurpassed quality of our hand crafted beers, and to our passion for great beer that is the trademark of the people who brew them."

The World Beer Cup(R) 2004 winners were selected by an international panel of 93 beer judges from 80 breweries in 15 countries. The competition received a record 1,566 entries from 40 countries to be recognized for brewing excellence in 81 beer-style categories. Since the beginning of the World Beer Cup competition in 1996, Miller Brewing Company and its subsidiaries have garnered 31 medals for its beers. Miller Lite leads the way winning three gold medals for American-Style Light Lager (2002, 1998, 1996), this year's silver medal for Miller High Life Light brings to three the medals won by the High Life franchise at the competition, the Miller Genuine Draft franchise has also reaped a medal in prior World Beer Cup competitions.

"Miller Brewing Company continues to demonstrate its storied history of brewing excellence by winning the World Beer Cup Champion Large Brewing Company and Brewmaster," said Charlie Papazian, founder and president of the Association of Brewers.

The World Beer Cup(R) has been held every other year since 1996 and is presented by the Association of Brewers, a not-for-profit educational and trade organization founded in 1978 that is dedicated to the promotion of quality beers and brewing throughout the world. The Association also hosts the annual Great American Beer Festival(R) and is based in Boulder, Colo.

Milwaukee-based Miller Brewing Company is a wholly owned American subsidiary of SABMiller plc, the world's second-largest brewer. Miller's principal beer brands are Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft. The company imports Pilsner Urquell and Foster's and has craft brews Henry Weinhard's and Leinenkugel's. Its portfolio of brands includes High Life, Milwaukee's Best, and Sharp's, a non-alcohol brew. Miller produces Icehouse from the Plank Road Brewery -- a small division of Miller, Olde English 800 and Mickey's Malt Liquor, and SKYY Blue flavored malt beverage.


21 April, 2004