Bristol's Butcombe has won a gold medal rating at the first-ever World Alchohol Free Awards. Judging took place in London where a panel of experts from the US and Europe flew to the UK to judge alcohol-free products, from wines, spirits and beers to teas and aperitivos - all with an alcohol level of 0.5 per cent ABV or lower.
Butcombe Brewing Co’s Goram IPA Zero was one of just 51 companies handed a gold medal rating from more than 400 entrants from 20 counties. Goram IPA Zero is described as an easy-to-drink and refreshing non-alcoholic beer made with a blend of UK, USA and New Zealand hops to give both a fruity and bitter flavour profile.
Marc McGuigan, the group's managing director, said: “2023 has been a great year already for our Goram IPA Zero with yet another trophy for the cabinet! Our brewing team consistently innovate and adapt, ensuring we have products that appeal to modern tastes and lifestyles that are authentic and taste great.”
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Established by former Michelin-starred drinks buyer and non-alcoholic specialist, Chrissie Parkinson and respected drinks writer Chris Losh in 2022, the competition is already set to become a benchmark for alcohol-free drinks all over the world. The drinks were rated as Gold, Silver, Bronze and Commended to celebrate alcohol-free products, which is a rapidly growing area of the food and drink industry.
Competition Co-Founder & Director Chris Losh said: “The buy-in from the trade around the world has been incredible with the sheer number and variety of products being entered far exceeding our expectations for this first year of competition.”
The brewery, which became part of the Channel Islands' Liberation Group in 2015, was founded in Bristol more than 40 years ago. It has almost 80 pubs, inns and hotels in its portfolio as well as more than a dozen beers and ciders, including the award-winning Butcombe Original, Rare Breed pale ale and Bohemia craft lager.
According to Food Navigator, no-alcohol volumes grew 9 per cent in 2022, increasing their share of the overall no/low-alcohol space to 70 per cent in the ten markets looked at. The full results of the World Alcohol Free Awards are online now.
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