The 2024 World Beer Cup Awards have been announced! We are excited to report that Japan did exceptionally well this year, totalling eight awards including three golds. DevilCraft hoisted its second WCB gold medal, this time for its Black Igneous Oatmeal Stout. Newcomer Bighand Bros. Beer from Kyoto won gold in the English Mild or Bitter category with Andalusite Best Bitter. Brewer/owner Shinya Suzuki of Yokohama Bay Brewing also took home a gold for his Yuzu Weiss in the Fruit Beer category.

In that same category, Beppu Brewery grabbed the silver for its Kabosu Saison, making it a one-two punch for Japanese brewers. Japan Beer Times’ home city of Yokohama also recorded a double in the contest. In addition to Yokohama Bay Brewing, Yokohama Beer was awarded a silver medal for its German-style Alt. Kaori Ohshita of Minoh Beer, no stranger to awards, garnered a bronze with her Pilsner. Take note that at the 2022 WBC Tomoko Sonoda of Ikspiari (Harvestmoon Brewery) also won gold for her Pilsner. Representing Shikoku, Kochi’s South Horizon Brewing walked out with a bronze for its Pacifica Common, a California Common brew in the American-Style Amber Lager category. Spring Valley Brewery (Kirin) rounds out the medals with its Spring Valley Silk Ale taking a bronze in the American Wheat Beer category.

As WBC is considered by many in the industry to be the ultimate in beer competitions, this is no small feat for Japanese breweries. Being awarded a medal of any sort is quite an achievement. A hearty round of applause to all the winners, and may hordes of thirsty craft beer drinkers seek out your brews and consume them en masse.

For the full list of WBC2024 winners, click here

This article was published in Japan Beer Times # () and is among the limited content available online. Order your copy through our online shop or download the digital version from the iTunes store to access the full contents of this issue.