Antwerp hosted the fourth edition of the aptly named ‘Brussels Beer Challenge’, an international beer competition that has built a big name for itself in a short time. For me it was the third time to come judging, but the first time to act as Table Captain. With 79 jurors and over 1,100 beers from all corners of the world it was a huge event. It proved very successful too for Dutch brews – and so it was a memorable weekend.

The characterisation of these gatherings is of Olympic proportions: participating is certainly not more important than winning, but alle Menschen werden Brüder! Every jury consists of five ladies or men, almost all from a different country. My table had a Polish, an Irish and two Belgian jurors (amongst who was Sophie van Rafelghem, thé Belgian Lady of Beer). But they came from everywhere: Brazil, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, Israel, Russia and Spain, beer lovers full of passion for beer gathered to thoroughly test the world’s finest brews. If beer ever fraternized, it was here!

Everyone has his own preferences, her own beer background. And you really do not know who will be joining you at your table, or what beer styles are yours to judge. Of course the participating beers remain a well-kept secret, but you know you are about to befriend new people who share a passion for the world’s finest beverage. You will taste some awesome brews, and some total failures. Only the day after you’ll learn which beer you awarded a medal too (you will never know which beers were turned away). And with that band of beer brothers you’ll crawl from local bar to local bar, talk endlessly about your favorite drink and learn about each other’s background. In short, you meet the greatest people and have awesome experiences!

Holland picked up 23 medals or Honorary Mentions (HM), quite an achievement! Jopen Brewery (1 Gold, 2 Bronze and a HM) scooped up the most. Bax Bier (1 Gold, 1 Silver), Gulpener (1 Gold, 1 Bronze), Maximus (1 Bronze , 1 HM) and Texelse (1 Gold, 1 Bronze) each picked up two medals. Besides these, Christoffel, Van Moll, Brouwerij ’t IJ, Heineken, Duits&Lauret, SNAB, ’t Uyltje, De Leckere, Heidebrouwerij, Alfa and Hommeles each took home a plaque ranging from Gold (IJ Wit) to an Honorary Mention. The most remarkable medal most be Heineken Light’s Silver medal in the Light Lager category. The full list of results is here.

All in all, again, it was a great weekend. Thanks to the organizers for yet again an awesome experience and doing everything to create the best possible circumstances for us, beer lovers, to fully live our beer life out! Darauf: Ein Bier!