Historic International Brewing & Cider Awards Expands to Manchester, UK with Launch of Festival

The prestigious International Brewing & Cider Awards, renowned as the 'Oscars' of the brewing and cider realm, has unveiled its momentous expansion into the vibrant city of Manchester, UK. In an exciting development, the historic biennial competition will also introduce an inaugural beer and cider festival to accompany its esteemed awards.

Scheduled for March 2024, the globally recognized event will be hosted at the iconic Depot Mayfield Manchester, drawing together industry luminaries and enthusiasts to celebrate exceptional beers and ciders meticulously crafted from all corners of the world.

For the first time in its 137-year history, the Awards will transcend beyond industry circles, debuting the International Brewing & Cider Festival. This two-day ticketed affair, slated for March 22nd and 23rd, will provide the public with an exclusive opportunity to savor an impressive array of beers and ciders vying for honors in the competition, alongside offerings from local producers.

This significant expansion into Manchester, coupled with the inauguration of the International Brewing & Cider Festival, underscores the Awards' unwavering commitment to advancing and championing the brewing and cider industries.

Director of the International Brewing & Cider Awards, Ruth Evans MBE, shared her enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to be bringing the world-renowned Awards to Manchester for the first time. The International Brewing & Cider Awards is the most historic international competition of its kind, and it is important that we innovate and expand, and our move to Manchester and the introduction of our Festival is part of that evolution. The city has a rich history in brewing and an up-and-coming cider scene making it a fitting location for the expansion of our Awards. After being at our previous location in Burton-Upon-Trent for a decade, we now look forward to invigorating the competition, with an aim to further expand the Awards and forge valuable new partnerships with local organisations and community stakeholders. Our competition has always been there to support the brewing and cidermaking industry on a not-for-profit basis and celebrate the best beers and ciders from around the world, providing the recognition they truly deserve. The move to Manchester allows us to extend the knowledge and appreciation of a win at the competition to the consumer, whilst promoting excellence within our industry.”

The Awards, established in 1886, have long been the benchmark for recognizing the dedication and artistry of breweries and cidermakers worldwide. The 2021 edition saw participation from breweries and cider mills spanning the globe, with victors hailing from diverse nations including Australia, China, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S. and the U.K.

Registration for the Awards will commence in October 2023, culminating on February 1, 2024. Brewers and cidermakers from around the world are encouraged to present their finest creations for assessment by a panel of globally acclaimed judges, all of whom are esteemed practitioners within the brewing and cider sphere.

For comprehensive details about the Awards, encompassing categories and entry prerequisites, please navigate to the official International Brewing & Cider Awards website.