The words Beer, beer festival, we usually associate with relaxation and fun. However, not many people know that often before the beginning of the festival, a team of professional judges is working hard behind the scenes. They carefully choose the best beer in each category. Usually this work is very hard: you have to put away all your emotions and preferences, and, literally on the shelves, lay out and evaluate each beer presented. And there usually more than a dozen such samples.

The words Beer, beer festival, we usually associate with relaxation and fun. However, not many people know that often before the beginning of the festival, a team of professional judges is working hard behind the scenes. They carefully choose the best beer in each category. Usually this work is very hard: you have to put away all your emotions and preferences, and, literally on the shelves, lay out and evaluate each beer presented. And there usually more than a dozen such samples.

Thus, a few months ago, Ceske Budejovice hosted the Gold Brewer’s Seal beer festival for the 29th (!) time. Originally, the festival was held in Tabor, not far from Prague. Over the years, its popularity grew steadily, and with it the number of participants. As a result, the Golden Brewer’s Seal had to change its location. This year in České Budějovice, more than 250 breweries from two tens of countries presented their best beer.

Like two years ago, I was invited to participate in the judging panel of the festival. It is hard to describe in words the extraordinary atmosphere that prevailed these days at the championship. In a separate room, brewers from different countries were waiting for their invitation to the hall where the judging took place, talking to each other at the same time. Neither national border or languages were an obstacle, because we were all united by Beer.

This year I also met my old friend at the festival, the Moscow brewer Alexander Idjon. He is widely known in Russia for his beer blog “Beer Bottle” and now also for his video blog, where you can watch video reports also from this festival.

There, in České Budějovice, I was awarded an anniversary medal for strengthening friendship between our countries. After all, beer really does unite countries and continents. It was a real and very pleasant surprise for me.

The most important news is that our Tuborg Black took part in the championship “Brewer’s Golden Seal” for the first time, and in the largest group of “semi-dark beers”. Unfortunately, we didn’t win a medal… But at the end of the category judging, the championship judges chose the best beer of the championship among the winners. The judges, who had already tasted our magic Tuborg Black, decided that it was unfair to let this beer go without a prize. As a result, Tuborg Black got the diploma of the outstanding beer in its category. Personally, I am very proud of this award, because I directly participated in the development of this beer and personally conducted all the experimental brews. Happy first award to you, Tuborg Black!