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Introduction

The rise in consumption of craft beer shows no sign of slowing as people’s interest in good,

properly produced artisanal produce continues to grow. Some (not all) commercial beer manu-

facturers have been producing homogenous branded lager using the most economical method

possible to produce a bland end-product that does very little to excite.

I believe that people are only just waking up to the fact that there are better alternatives and are

now demanding a more natural and tastier artisanal product, made with care and attention by

master brewers. If you look at the craft beer market six years ago when we launched the Hong

Kong International Beer Awards it was pretty small compared with what it is today. For our first

beer awards in 2009 we had 100 craft beers enter, in 2014 we have had over 500 entries and the

standard of the entries was incredibly high. This growth in the number of craft beers available in

the city today is a direct result of increasing interest from consumers, across the demographic

spectrum, in really great beer. I would go as far as to say that the choice available to beer

enthusiasts in Hong Kong today, is better than any other city I can think of in the world in terms

of diversity. With several local micro and nano breweries opening in the city this past year the

future for craft beer in Asia looks very healthy and Hong Kong is positioning itself at the very

heart of it.

Cheers (乾杯)!Stuart BaileyGeneral Manager, Diversified Communications Hong Kong, LLC

2014 Hong Kong International Beer Awards

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Asahi1. Lager Winner

Drinkability is the name of the game when it comes to this Japanese pale lager. Brewed with rice to lighten the body, this beer is a reliable companion, not the centre of attention. The judges were impressed by the clean, straightforward flavour, with cracker-like malts and slight hop bitterness, with a markedly dry finish. Great for washing down teppanyaki, yakitori and other hearty izakaya-style dishes. Distributor : Carlsberg Hong Kong LimitedAddress: 1/F, Delta House, 3 On Yiu Street, Shatin, Hong Kong Contact Person: Candy Yip Tel: 6083 0564Email: candy.yy.yip@carlsberg.asia

Wernesgruener Pils2. Pilsner Winner

Light-bodied? Slightly spicy and floral from European noble hops? Dry, bitter and easy to drink? This German brew checks all the boxes of this classic style. Brewed in Saxony since 1436, it’s a solid example of what a thirst-quenching, eminently quaffable beer should be. Distributor : Eurogoodies LtdAddress: Unit F, 2/F, Block A, Tung Chun Ind Bldg., 9-11 Chueng Wing Road,

Kwai Chung, N.T., HKContact Person: Holger WustmannTel: 9266 0875Email: holger@euro-goodies.com

Thundergod Ale3. Pale Ale

This Hong Kong-brewed, American-style pale ale is fruity and crisp on the nose, medium-bodied and packed with fruity hop flavour, thanks to a large amount of Citra and Mosiac hops added throughout the brewing and fermentation process. It’s flavourful and hoppy without being overpowering, making it an excellent accompaniment to hearty foods. Distributor : Moonzen BreweryAddress: Unit 704, Sing Win Factory Building, Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong,

Hong KongContact Person: Michele WongTel: 6113 0551Email: beer@moonzen.hk

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Dan Thwaites Big Ben5. Brown Ale

Hops have stolen the brewing show in recent years, even when it comes to styles that aren’t traditionally hoppy, like brown ales. This particular English brew magazines to pull off an impressive feat: though it uses six different hops, including a mix of English hops and their punchier American cousins, they succeed in giving it a deliciously fruity aroma and slight edge without being overwhelming. Instead, the malts take centre stage with sweet, nutty roasted notes.Distributor : The Beer BayAddress: Lot No. K4, Pier 4, New Reclamation, Central, HKContact Person: Annie LamTel: 9522 1272 Email: Annielam@thebeerbay.com.hk

Hitachino Nest Amber Ale4. Amber Ale

Amber ales are all about the balance between sweet caramel malts and fruity hop bitterness. Striking that equilibrium can be a tricky thing to pull off, but this Japanese beer manages the feat. A classic amber ale with a fruity, toffee-like aroma that carries through to the taste. Malt-forward but with enough bitterness to keep its sweetness in check, the judges enjoyed the way it pairs complex flavours with drinkability. Distributor : Gotech LimitedAddress: Rm 2901A, Tower 2, Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway, Hong KongContact Person: Ms. Juvin LeeTel: 9612 7112Email: juvin_lee@hotmail.com.hk

Yards Extra Special Ale6. British Style Ale

An American beer winning the category for best British-style ale? Sacrilege! But this cheeky Philadelphia bitter does its English ancestors proud. Made with East Kent Golding hops, this brew is distinguished by its creamy mouthfeel and a taste that marries lightly floral, somewhat spicy hops with biscuity malts. Understated and well-executed, just as it’s meant to be.Distributor : Artisan Beer ImportsAddress: Unit 3B, 356 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong KongContact Person: Mitchele Au Tel: 9437 5651Email: mitchele@artisanbeerimports.com

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Kagua Rouge7. Belgian Style Ale

Designed in Japan and brewed in Belgium, this Belgian-style dark ale is distinguished by its use of sansho, a kind of Japanese spice similar to Sichuan peppercorns. Pepper and hoppy fruits are on the nose, while the flavour is notably complex, with notes of peppercorn, dried orange peel and dried fruits. It could be over-whelming but there’s enough sweetness to balance out the spiciness that it all comes together very well. Perfect for Sunday roast or a chilly evening.Distributor : Hop LeafAddress: 41 Cadogan Street #4b, Kennedy TownContact Person: Jeff BodaTel: 9199 3168Email: jeff@hopleaf.hk

Worthy Brewing Co.-IPA8a. American Style IPA

Hoppy, assertive American India Pale Ales have long been the flag-bearers for craft brewing. When they first emerged in the late 1970s, their piney aromatics and citrusy bitterness were unlike anything else on the market. Now that the beer scene is awash in a sea of IPA, it takes a lot to stand out. This Oregon brew does the job not by going to extremes but by adopting an impressive balance between quaffability and depth of flavour, with notes of grapefruit, mango and pine and a smooth, creamy body.Distributor : Pure Original LimitedAddress: Rm 402, Mirror Tower 61 Mody Road, TsimshatsuiContact Person: Mr. Scott AndrewsTel: 6587 9030Email: scott@pureoriginal.com.hk

Bridge Road Bling IPA8b. British Style IPA

British IPAs are traditionally more sedate than their American descendants, with a greater emphasis on malt characteristics to challenge the extra hops. This Australian brew certainly fits the bill. The aroma is dominated by citrusy hops and a malty sweetness. Caramel-like flavours emerge first, followed by a nutty bitterness with a citrusy, herbal twang. Distributor : Tai-Pan Beer Co.Address: Suite 4111, 41/F Hong Kong Plaza, 188 Connaught Road West,

Sai Wan, Hong KongContact Person: Shainal JivanTel: 9459 9076Email: shainal@taipanbeer.com

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Yeastie Boys - Pot Kettle Black8c. IPA

New Zealand punches well above its weight when it comes to beer. A big reason for that is its unique soil and climate conditions, which produce some of the world’s most coveted hops. This black IPA is certainly hop-heavy, with a mix of locally-grown Nelson Sauvin and Cascade, along with some imported Styrian Golding, that provide fresh tropical fruit and citrus flavours. The trick here is that this hoppiness is matched by equally robust roasted malts. Distributor : Red Willow LimitedAddress: 1102, 99 Wellington Street, Hong KongContact Person: Mark Brough Tel: 6908 4844Email: markbrough@redwillowhk.com

Cornish Heritage Cider9. Cider

In a market dominated by sickly sweet ciders that taste more like syrup than anything produced in an orchard, this Cornish tipple stands out for its superb balance. Cornish Longstem and Grenadier apples are blended to create a brew with light vanilla notes, crisp acidity, a bit of woodiness and a dry finish. Complex enough for cider lovers, it is also accessible to the casual drinker.Distributor : BOE Trading CompanyAddress: Room F, 9/F, Block A, Tung Chung Industrial Building,

9-11 Cheung Wing, Kwai Chung Contact Person: Kylie LawTel: 6230 8059Email: kylielaw826@hotmail.com 10

Cerveza Maset Munich Tostada10. Wheat Beer

Toasted wheat malt gives this Catalan-Bavarian hefeweizen a substantial body, attractive ochre hue and plenty of flavour. German wheat beers are brewed with a special yeast that gives them banana and clove-like flavours, which play off the zesty wheat. This beer excels with what one judge called a “chewy” texture.Distributor : CaliuAddress: Unit 424 , Shing Yip Industrial Building , 19-21 Shing Yip Street ,

Kwun Tong , KowloonContact Person: Gary WanTel: 9150 3356Email: gary@caliu.com.hk

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Distributor : AmeriCraft Imports LimitedAddress: 25/F, Workington Tower, 78 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong KongContact Person: Laurie GoldbergTel: 9311 3082Email: laurie@americraftimports.com

Founders Rubaeus12. Specialty Beer

Fruit beer has a bad reputation – and with so many syrupy, artificial-tasting brews on the market, it’s no won-der why. By contrast, this Michigan-brewed beer is all about fresh raspberries added at several dif-ferent stages during fermentation, giving it a well-rounded flavour that evokes the sweet, sour and earthy taste of fresh-picked summer raspberries.

COEDO Shikkoku

Distributor : Thristy Brothers LtdAddress: Rm. A, 6/F, Mackenny Centre, 660 Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha

Wan, Kowloon Contact Person: Thomas LauTel: 9181 2383Email: thomas.lau@nextstep.com.hk

13. Dark Lager

Brewed in the style of a German schwarzbier, this Japanese beer fulfills all the requirements of a good dark lager: it is roasty with hints of coffee and chocolate, but crisp and light-bodied. The judges enjoyed the subtle hints of molasses, while some picked up hints of liquorice in the finish.

Distributor : Hop LeafAddress: 41 Cadogan Street #4b, Kennedy TownContact Person: Jeff BodaTel: 9199 3168Email: jeff@hopleaf.hk

North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

11. Stout/Porters

One of America’s most acclaimed imperial stouts, this Californian beer is brewed in the style once favoured by the Russian imperial court. An aroma of chocolate, coffee and liquorice is reflected in the taste, which balances roasty bitterness with just enough sweetness to make it very drinkable, despite the strength of its alcohol and flavour. Classic and reliable, it’s a welcoming gateway to the world of high-proof beers.

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Black Isle Brewery Organic Goldeneye Pale Ale

14. Organic Beer

Organic beers can be made in any style – it’s the way the ingredients are processed that makes the difference. The Scottish brew has not only a clean bill of health but an excellent taste: its American hops give it a fresh, citrusy zing while the blend of wheat, pale ale and crystal malts help create a satisfyingly moreish body.Distributor : Bestbev HK LtdAddress: Suite 48, 9/F Lyton Building, 48 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, KowloonContact Person: Shaheen BudhraniTel: 9708 8758Email: shaheen@bestbevhk.com

To Øl Sundancer15. Low Alcohol Beer

Low alcohol doesn’t need to mean low flavour, as this Danish-brewed beer proves. Made with lager yeast, it is fermented at a relatively high temperature, which allows for a light body with some fruitiness. Hops are front and centre here, namely Citra and Simcoe, which are known for their citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Wheat added to the malt bill gives this brew a zesty kick that makes it especially appropriate for summer. Bring it on your next junk trip. Distributor : Hop LeafAddress: 41 Cadogan Street #4b, Kennedy TownContact Person: Jeff BodaTel: 9199 3168Email: jeff@hopleaf.hk

Iron Fist Renegade Blond16. Blonde/Golden

Brewed in the style of a German kölsch — an exceedingly light, easy-drinking ale — this Californian brew goes very well with food. Sweet pear and apple on the nose give way to a flavour that is ever so subtle, with a bit of hoppy bitterness, some spiciness and some light apple-like fruitiness. It’s the perfect antidote for anyone who feels that craft beer is too heavy. Distributor : AmeriCraft Imports LimitedAddress: 25/F, Workington Tower, 78 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong KongContact Person: Laurie GoldbergTel: 9311 3082Email: laurie@americraftimports.com

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Iron Fist Hired Hand Saison17. Saison/Farmhouse

Originally a farmhand’s ale from Belgium, saisons have been embraced by the American craft brewing move-ment for their dry, complex flavour. This successful effort from California is floral, spicy and grainy on the nose, with a flavour dominated by crisp, fruity acids and a subdued spice. While it lacks the so-called “funk” found in other saisons — a love-it-or-hate-it flavour derived from yeast — it is an excellent and easy-going introduction to the style.Distributor : AmeriCraft Imports LimitedAddress: 25/F, Workington Tower, 78 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, Hong KongContact Person: Laurie GoldbergTel: 9311 3082Email: laurie@americraftimports.com

Allendale Red Rye19. Rye

Brewed in Northumberland, England, this complex amber beer makes great use of rye grain, a notoriously tricky but rewarding ingredient. A liberal amount of American West Coast hops give it a citrusy, piney aroma and pronounced bitterness that plays nicely against the spicy, fruity quality of the rye. It’s a punchy, assertive beer with bold flavours that left the judges impressed. Distributor : The Beer BayAddress: Lot No. K4, Pier 4, New Reclamation, Central, HKContact Person: Annie LamTel: 9522 1272Email: Annielam@thebeerbay.com.hk

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Despite its name, a barleywine is certainly not wine – it’s just a very big beer, with a huge amount of ingredients that give it a relatively high alcohol content and explosive flavour. Think of it as an after-dinner sipper, which is exactly where this Scottish Highlands brew excels. Aged in oak sherry butts, the beer has fruitcake and choco-late on the nose, and boozy fruits, sherry and toffee on the tongue.Distributor : Bestbev HK Ltd.Address: Suite 48, 9/F Lyton Building, 48 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, KowloonContact Person: Shaheen BudhraniTel: 9708 8758Email: shaheen@bestbevhk.com

Black Isle Brewery Organic Big Butt Barley Wine

18. Barley Wine / American Strong

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Hop Leaf LimitedHop Leaf is an established Hong Kong-based wholesale/retail distributor of independent craft beers that we personally know and love. They offer a broad variety of styles of award-winning beer in bottles and kegs through top microbreweries from around the world: the USA (Rogue, North Coast, Anderson Valley), Japan (Baird), Japan/Belgium (Kagua), New Zealand (Tuatara) and Denmark (Mikkeller/To Øl). They are the sole distributor of these brands in Hong Kong and Macau.Company Name: Hop Leaf LimitedAddress: 41 Cadogan Street #4b, Kennedy TownContact Person: Jeff BodaTel: 9199 3168Email: jeff@hopleaf.hk

AmeriCraft Imports LimitedAmeriCraft Imports is the leading importer and distributor of American craft beer in Hong Kong and a founding member of the Craft Beer Association of Hong Kong. AmeriCraft sells award-winning beers from Anchor Brewing, Founders Brewing, Iron Fist Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Kona Brewing Co., Lost Coast Brewery, Shmaltz Brewing, and Widmer Brothers Brewing.Company Name: AmeriCraft Imports LimitedAddress: 25/F, Workington Tower, 78 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan,

Hong KongContact Person: Laurie GoldbergTel: 9311 3082Email: laurie@americraftimports.com

Thundergod Ale2014 is the year Hong Kong craft beer was born, with a half-dozen local brewers setting up shop since the beginning of the year. One of the newest breweries is Moonzen, a family-run operation in Kwun Tong that produces all-natural, unpasteurised, bottle-conditioned beers. Its hoppy yet accessible pale ale left the judges thunderstruckDistributor : Moonzen Brewery Address: Unit 704, Sing Win Factory Building, Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong Contact Person: Michele Wong Tel: 6113 0551 Email: beer@moonzen.hk

BEST HONGKONG PRODUCED BEER

Yeastie Boys - Pot Kettle BlackThere’s something about the way this Kiwi brew combines the mouthwatering fruitness of antipodean hops with the heartwarming flavours of roasted malt that made the judges fall in love. If a standard IPA is great for cutting the summer heat, this one is ideal for when the air conditioning gets just a little too cold. In a city that is quickly learning to love hoppy beers, this one offers something deliciously different.

Distributor : Red Willow Limited Address: 1102, 99 Wellington Street, Hong Kong Contact Person: Mark Brough Tel: 6908 4844 Email: markbrough@redwillowhk.com

BEST BEER IN HONG KONG

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2014 BEST BEER IMPORTER AWARDS

2014 BEST BEER IMPORTER AWARDS

Our Esteemed Judges

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• Mr. Toby Cooper, Managing Director, The Globe

• Mr. Rohit Dugar, Founder, Young Master Ales

• Mr. Christopher Wong, Beer Dumpster, HK Brewcraft Limited

• Mr. Simon McCarthy, Wine Director, The Flying Winemaker

• Mr. Joshua Wolper, Founder & President, HK Homebrewers Association

• Mr. Derek Kean, Chief Technology Officer, Foodie magazine

• Mr. Mark Tjhung, Editor-in-chief, Time Out Magazine Hong Kong

• Mr. Jad Sfeir, Managing Director, Red Mill Limited

• Mr. Eddie Chui, Editorial Director, Cru Magazine

• Mr. Stuart Bailey, General Manager, Diversified Communications HK• Mr. Patrick Barret, Head Chef, The Globe

• Mr. Devin Kimble, Director, HK Beer Co.

• Mr. Simon Pesch, Brewmaster, HK Beer Co.

• Mr. Que Vinh Dang, Director, Partner, Tipping Point

• Mr. Costa Nikias, Chief Brewer, La Sirene

• Mr. Leslie Millar, Member, CAMRA

• Mr. Matthew Bradford, Group Beverage Director, Epicurean Management LTD

• Mr. Marc Rodrigues, Co-founder - Commercial Director, Hip Media Asia

• Mr. Christopher DeWolf, Reporter, CNNCo

Diversified Communications Hong Kong, LLCUnit B, 32/F, @Convoy, 169 Electric Road, North Point, Hong KongPhone: +852 3105 3970 Fax: +852 3105 3974 E-mail: info@restaurantandbarhk.com

Exclusive event sponsor Supporting association

Each beer was blind tasted with the judges having no prior knowledge of the beers characteristics what it

was or where it came from. The beers were then scored by each judge out of 100 points (0 points - being un-

drinkable muck and 100 points - being the nectar of the gods). These points were awarded in two categories:

Appearance & Aroma (0-20 points):It’s important that a beer looks right and you can tell a great deal about a beer from how it looks. The colour

gives you an indication of the style and type of malt used. Condition and body are important (the head), and we also looked for carbonization (in the relevant categories) the size of the bubble and the foam - or lacing

– the head leaves on the side of the glass, as these all affect the taste. As most of our sense of taste is in

our nose the smell also tells us a lot about a beers identity or personality, is it bitter, sweet, sour, etc… The

perfect brew should smell accordingly so could you will be dying to get it in your mouth.

Tasting (0-80 points):Beer is a product meant to be taken orally, not nasally, and no matter how good a beer looks or smells it’s the

performance in the mouth that really counts. How does it travel? Does it stall on the mid-palate? Does it race through without really giving the taste buds much to do? The balance of sweetness and bitterness must be right and it must finish well.After the arduous judging process the scores were then added up. The highest and the lowest scores were

then discounted and the mean average score indicates our winners.

Judging System

#RBHK14