Also the Weizenbock Vitus returned home with precious metal, winning silver in the South German-Style Weizenbock Hell category. On November 11, both beers received their awards at the BrauBeviale in Nuremberg, which took place digitally this year. 2036 beers from 42 countries were entered for the prestigious competition in 2020. Why prestigious? Contrary to other competitions where every beer that is granted a certain number of points is awarded gold, there is only one winner per category at the EBS. So, the award really goes only to “the best“ of its kind. 66 jury members selected the winner in a large blind tasting session in October.

Gold for the Weihenstephaner Helles: An extraordinary accomplishment

Gold at the European Beer Star is therefore an extraordinary accomplishment – and just as great was the delight on winning this outstanding award at the brewery in Weihenstephan! The Weihenstephan Helles was first introduced on the market in May 2020 - a mild, quaffable beer with a subtle hop bouquet. Over a year was taken preparing the beer to perfection – with numerous tastings, fine-tuning and expert opinions. To win gold, especially in the beer´s first year, is also acknowledgement for the outstanding work carried out on the Weihenstephan Helles: “This achievement makes us very proud“, says Josef Schrädler, Director of the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan. Also First Master Brewer Tobias Zollo is overwhelmed: “This award is proof that our Helles stands top of the list with regard to taste.“ 
Despite all the jubilation over the achievement of the Helles, we must not forget the Weizenbock Vitus. The fruity and palatable light Weizenbock is winner time and time again for the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan and once again won a medal at the European Beer Star – this year silver. “This place once again on the winners´ podium shows that our Vitus constantly fulfils the highest standards“, says a delighted Schrädler.

Minister Sibler: "Weihenstephaner beers are ambassadors of Bavarian beer culture"

Minister of State Bernd Sibler, whose Ministry of Science and Art the brewery belongs to, was thrilled about this success and conveyed his congratulations: “The beers produced by the Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan are highly successful export leaders. They are ambassadors of our Bavarian beer culture. Thanks to its traditional art of brewing, the world´s oldest, still existing brewery continues to meet the taste of beer connoisseurs far beyond the borders the Free State even today. Congratulations on this extraordinary award!“"

The Association of Private Breweries is also very satisfied with the European Beer Star 2020 – despite the pandemic: “The phenomenal development of our competition shows the importance given to the artful craft of brewing and the great variety of beers. We are very proud that we were able to organize such a high-caliber competition in these turbulent times“, says Managing Director Stefan Stang.