Crak Brewery, a company in the province of Padua is the brewery of the year 2023. The jury decided it of the XVIII edition of the Unionbirrai competition held at the Rimini Fair. Crak Brewery is a Completely Independent Agricultural Craft Brewery, in the company farm barley is grown, also commonly called beer barley which is thus controlled at the origin but also fresh fruit (apricots, cherries, apples, peaches, plums) which is used for the mixed fermentation beers of the Cantina project.
The Venetian brewery has won various awards with its beers, including 3 first posyou with beers: Giant Step in category 14 – Light and amber beers, high fermentation, medium alcohol content, hopped, American-inspired (American IPA), Cellar – Gentle 2017 in category 24 – Dark beers, top fermented, high alcohol content, of Anglo-American inspiration (Barley Wine, Old Ale, American Barley Wine) and Cellar – Mansueto Riserva Whiskey Barrel Aged 2019 in category 34 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, low to high alcohol content, smoked and peated.
Lombardy with 35 awards is the region with the highest rate of brewing quality
In general the top of the national brewing production is concentrated, according to the prizes awarded during the event between Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto.
In particular, the region with the most award-winning beers was Lombardy with 35 awards, followed by Piedmont with 18 and Veneto with 16. Marche received 10 awards, Lazio 9, Emilia Romagna and Trentino Alto Adige 8, Abruzzo, Tuscany and Umbria 6, Friuli Venezia Giulia 4 , in Campania, Puglia and Sardinia 2, in Basilicata, Liguria and Sicily 1.
The winners were defined by the 81 international judges, coming from abroad and from all over Italy, engaged in blind tastings, which selected the 3 winning beers for all categories. Each winner of the competition will be able to take part in the BdA on tour project, the events that bring the winning beers to Italian clubs with the aim of promoting and enhancing Italian craft beers.
Lombardy, Piedmont and Veneto lead the national ranking
Il 2023 was a record year for the BoA with 2227 beers entered in the competition from 305 producers. “With great satisfaction, the XVIII edition of Birra dell'Anno confirmed the producers' great trust in the competition. – underlined Simone Monetti, general secretary of Unionbirrai – For our part we are proud to have contributed to the visibility and enhancement of Italian craft beer, once again giving an important demonstration of how the brewing identity of our country is increasingly mature and defined”.
In addition to the Birra dell'Anno award ceremony, Beer&Food Attraction will also host some cultural events organized by Unionbirrai. On Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February, starting at 10:30 in the Tiglio/Noce room, the "Italian Craft Beer Conference powered by Unionbirrai" will take place, an innovative program of seminars and talks organized in collaboration with IEG Expo, which The aim is to create an important opportunity for in-depth analysis of brewing techniques, new technologies, raw materials, instruments and analysis of the trends of the Italian craft beer market, comparing all the players in the supply chain. On Monday 20 at 14:00 in the Tiglio/Noce room the conference "Italian Craft Beer: production companies and production trends" will be held by Professor Silvio Menghini, Scientific Director of the Craft Beer Observatory - DAGRI - University of Florence. On Tuesday 21 February at 11:45 in the Tiglio room, however, the conference "Birra Intra Moenia - Self-production of raw materials and supply chain agreements" will take place. Finally, there will be two moments dedicated to sensory analysis applied to food/beer pairing by the Unionbirrai Beer Tasters in collaboration with Cast Alimenti.
THE BEER OF THE YEAR 2023 WINNERS
Cat. 1 – Light beers, low fermentation, low alcohol content, of German and Czech inspiration
(German and Bohemian Pilsner)
GOLD: LEUMANN BREWERY – Forgetful
SILVER: SGUARAUNDA FARM BREWERY – Organic
BRONZE: BABYLON BREWERY – Babylon Pils
Cat. 2 – Light beers, low fermentation, low alcohol content, characterized by evident
presence of hops for aroma and bittering, of German inspiration (Italian Pilsner)
GOLD: SORALAMA' – Slurp
SILVER: LEGNONE BREWERY – Head of malt
BRONZE: MEZZAVIA BREWERY – Parini 56
Cat. 3 – Light beers, low fermentation, low alcohol content, of European inspiration (European
Lager, Helles, Zwickl, Keller, Dortmunder Export)
GOLD: OPPERBACCO MICROBREWERY – RustHell
SILVER: CUTTAVECCHIA – ANTIKORPO BREWING – Grommet – antikorpo brewing
BRONZE: ESTENSE BREWERY – Atheste Hell
Mention:
RURAL BREWERY – Kellerpils
Cat. 4 – Light and amber beers, low fermentation, low to high alcohol content,
characterized by the evident presence of hops for aroma and bitterness, of American inspiration
(Hoppy Lager, Imperial Hoppy Lager)
GOLD: 50&50 – Mr Crocodile
SILVER: VERTIGA – Alchemy
BRONZE: ELVO BEER MICROBREWERY – After the pils
Cat. 5 – Light and amber beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, inspirational
Anglo-Saxon (English Golden Ale, English Pale Ale)
GOLD: BASEI BREWERY – Drinky
SILVER: PERUGIA BREWERY FACTORY – Golden Ale
BRONZE: LUCKY BREWS – Apollo
Cat. 6 – Light and amber beers, hybrid fermentation, low alcohol content, of German inspiration
or American (Kolsch, Alt, California Common, Cream Ale)
GOLD: EASTSIDE BREWING – Bear Away
SILVER: LA VILLANA CRAFT BREWERY – Frisco
BRONZE: ELVO BEER MICROBREWERY – Alterelvo
Mention:
MC77 – Mahlzeit
Cat. 7 – Amber and dark beers, low fermentation, low alcohol content, of German inspiration
(Vienna, Marzen, Munich Dunkel, Schwarz, Dark Lager)
GOLD: ELVO BEER MICROBREWERY – Marzen
SILVER: ANBRA – ANONYMOUS BRASSERIA AQUILANA – Diamond
BRONZE: OLD CITY – ANTIKORPO BREWING – Lucky shoes – old city
Mention:
BEHA BREWING COMPANY – Gaudio
Cat. 8 – Light, amber and dark beers, low fermentation, high alcohol content, inspirational
German (Bock, Doppelbock, Eisbock, Hellerbock, Maibock, Strong Lager)
GOLD: DOUBLE MALT – Magnus
SILVER: BEER GAIA – Giargiana
BRONZE: RENAZZESE BREWERY – Sylvie
Mention:
LAMBRATE BREWERY – Lambrate
Cat. 9 – Amber beers, top fermented, low and medium alcohol content, of British inspiration
(Mild, British Bitter, Extra Special Bitter, Irish Red Ale, British Brown Ale)
GOLD: RENTON – Bombay
SILVER: ACME BREWERY – Quadrofenia
BRONZE: LEUMANN BREWERY – Ruby
Cat. 10 – Light beers, low fermentation, low/medium alcohol content, hopped (India Pale
camp)
GOLD: HAMMER – Modriki
SILVER: WOOD BEER – Karmaleon
BRONZE: EVOQE BREWING – Do not disturb
Cat. 11 – Light and amber beers, high fermentation, low/medium alcohol content, hopped, of
Anglo-Saxon inspiration (English IPA)
GOLD: TORRE MOZZA BREWERY – Ipamena
SILVER: OPHELIA – Amitabh
BRONZE: GENAGRICOLA 1851 SPA – Beer 1851 IPA
Cat. 12 – Light, amber and dark beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, hopped, of
Anglo-American inspiration (Session APA, Session AIPA, Session IPA)
GOLD: RITUAL LAB – Nerd Choice
SILVER: LARIANO BREWERY – New Age
BRONZE: 50&50 – God of laif
Mention:
THE BREWERY – Weeknd
Cat. 13 – Light and amber beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, hoppy, inspired
Americana (American Pale Ale)
GOLD: GRANDA BREWERY – Aero
SILVER: HAMMER – Spring
BRONZE: JUNGLE JUICE BREWING – Extra Life
Mention:
A THIRD BREWERY – Another hop in the wall
Cat. 14 – Pale and amber beers, high fermentation, medium alcohol content, hoppy, inspired
American (American IPA)
GOLD: CRAK BREWERY – Giant Step
SILVER: BAJON BEER – Euphoria
BRONZE: LIQUID – Don Quixote
Mention:
LAMBRATE BREWERY – Lbr American Ipa
REBEL'S GOLD - Teeth
Cat. 15 – Pale and amber beers, top fermented, high alcohol content, hoppy, inspired
Anglo-American (Double IPA, Imperial IPA)
GOLD: TWO TOUCH BEER – Auger
SILVER: 50&50 – Django
BRONZE: BLINK BREWERY – Bala
Cat. 16 – Light beers, high fermentation, low and medium alcohol content, with the use of wheat and others
cereal, hopped, Anglo-American inspiration (White IPA, American Wheat)
GOLD: BIBIBIR – White Shock
SILVER: CASTLES BREWERY – Extrema Ratio White
BRONZE: LARIANO BREWERY – Vergott
Cat. 17 – Amber and dark beers, top fermented, low to high alcohol content, hopped, of
Anglo-American inspiration (Red IPA, Brown IPA, Black IPA)
GOLD: THE BREWERY MAIL – Black IPA
SILVER: GRANDA BREWERY – Regeneration
BRONZE: JUNGLE JUICE BREWING – Jungle Fever
Cat. 18 – Light, amber and dark beers, high fermentation, from low to high alcohol content,
hoppy, Anglo-American inspired (Speciality IPA, Rye IPA, Belgian IPA, AIPA and APA
low fermented)
GOLD: BREWERY VENTITRÉ – Black Out #5
SILVER: MUKKELLER BREWERY – Tulio
BRONZE: RITUAL LAB – Mango Split
Cat. 19 – Light and amber beers, top fermented, heavily hopped in aroma, of
US inspired (New England IPA)
GOLD: BEER GAIA – Alice
SILVER: SMALL CLANDESTINE BREWERY – Sorrypier
BRONZE: LAMBRATE BREWERY – Fa balà l'oeucc
Cat. 20 – Light and amber beers, top fermentation, high alcohol content, inspirational
Anglo-American (English Strong Ale, American Strong Ale, Scottish Ale Export, Heavy Scottish
Ale)
GOLD: CASTLES BREWERY – Extrema Ratio Red
SILVER: PICOBREW – Tiratardi
BRONZE: LESSTER BREWERY – Angiolina
Cat. 21 – Dark beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, of Anglo-Saxon inspiration
(Porter, Stout)
GOLD: LARIANO BREWERY – Madiba
SILVER: PUDDU BEER – Porter
BRONZE: DOUBLE WHISK BREWERY – Rodica
Cat. 22 – Dark beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, American-inspired (American
Porter, American Stout)
GOLD: MALARIPE BREWERY – La Zoppa
SILVER: MUKKELLER BREWERY – Black Corva
BRONZE: HAMMER – Bulk
Cat. 23 – Dark beers, high fermentation, high alcohol content, of Anglo-American inspiration
(Robust/Baltic Porter, Imperial Porter, Russian Imperial Stout)
GOLD: RITUAL LAB – Four Brothers
SILVER: SAN PAOLO SNC BREWERY – Grako
BRONZE: ESTENSE BREWERY – Django
Cat. 24 – Dark beers, top fermented, high alcohol content, of Anglo-American inspiration (Barley
Wine, Old Ale, American Barley Wine)
GOLD: CRAK BREWERY – Cellar – Mansueto 2017
SILVER: CRAK BREWERY – Cellar – Mansueto 2021
BRONZE: MENARESTA BREWERY – Lamberwine
Cat. 25 – Light, amber and dark beers, top fermented with Weizen yeast, from low to high
alcohol content, with the use of malted wheat, of German inspiration (Weizen, Dunkelweizen,
Weizenbock)
GOLD: MANERBA BREWERY – Weizen
SILVER: BIRRAFON – Effe Weizen
BRONZE: ITALIAN BREWERY – Finisterrae
Cat. 26 – Light beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, with the use of unmalted wheat,
Belgian-inspired (Blanche, Witbier)
GOLD: MC77 – San Lorenzo
SILVER: MANERBA BREWERY – Fiordalisa
BRONZE: OTUS BREWERY – Side B
Cat. 27 – Light beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, Belgian-inspired (Belgian
Blond, Belgian Pale Ale)
GOLD: BEHA BREWING COMPANY – Jubilation
SILVER: REBEERS – Sweetly
BRONZE: LEGNANO BREWERY – Teresa
Cat. 28 – Light and amber beers, high fermentation, low to high alcohol content, inspirational
Belgian (Saison, Biere de Garde, Farmhouse Ale)
GOLD: ELISSOR BREWERY – Citrus
SILVER: DICOTTOZEROUNO BREWERY – Ochre
BRONZE: MALT CROSS – Temporis
Cat. 29 – Light beers, high fermentation, high alcohol content, Belgian-inspired (Belgian Golden
Strong Ale, Tripel)
GOLD: MC77 – Queen Bee
SILVER: MFB – MANIFATTURA BIRRE BOLOGNA – Christmas
BRONZE: LEGNANO BREWERY – Ciuca
Mention:
STYLES CRAFT BREWERY – Simo'n
Cat. 30 – Dark beers, high fermentation, high alcohol content, Belgian-inspired (Belgian Dark
Strong Ale, Dubbel, Quadrupel)
GOLD: MALT CROSS – Magnus
SILVER: BREWERY DEL FORTE – Queen of the sea
BRONZE: BIBIBIR – I see double
Mention:
MC77 – The Queen Bee in Winter
Cat. 31 – Light, Amber And Dark Beers, High Or Low Fermented, From Low To High Degree
Alcoholic, With Use Of Spices
GOLD: TARÌ BREWERY – Tari' Malvarosa
SILVER: MUTTNIK BEER – Ryzhik
BRONZE: INCANTO ARTISAN MICROBREWERY – 21 12
Cat. 32 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, with the use of coffee and/or cocoa
GOLD: BREWFIST – Spaghetti Western
SILVER: LAMBRATE BREWERY – Tiramisù imperial stout
BRONZE: HILLTOP BREWERY – An American
Mention:
HERMITAGE BEER – Night Effect
LA STECCIAIA BIO BREWERY – Impera
Cat. 33 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, with the use of special cereals (including ancient grains)
GOLD: HERETIC BEER – Smile
SILVER: REBEERS – Fovea
BRONZE: GUGGENBRÄU – Guggosauerus
Cat. 34 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, smoked and peated
GOLD: CRAK BREWERY – Cellar – Mansueto Reserve Whiskey Barrel Aged 2019
SILVER: RENAZZESE BREWERY – Tuscany
BRONZE: ESTENSE BREWERY – Smoky Bomb
Cat. 35 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, aged in wood
GOLD: MONPIER DE GHERDEINA – Imperial Smoked Porter
SILVER: SMALL UNDERGROUND BREWERY – Fortress Barrel 1
BRONZE: BREWFIST – The Good – Il Biondo
Cat. 36 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, with use of fruit
GOLD: CHIANTI BREW FIGHTERS collaboration with LA DIANA – RubuSlurm
SILVER: BEER OF THE HERMITAGE – Lunatica
BRONZE: MANERBA BREWERY – Lady Rose
Mention:
HERMITAGE BEER – Madue
Cat. 37 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, with the use of chestnuts
GOLD: GRADO PLATO BREWERY – Strada San Felice
SILVER: BREWERY DEL VULTURE – Druda
BRONZE: 5+ CRAFT BREWERY – Castanea
Cat. 38 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, with the use of honey
GOLD: ELVO BEER MICROBREWERY – Christmas bock
SILVER: BREWERY DEL FORTE – Orione belt
BRONZE: BATZEN – Batzen Honey
Cat. 39 – Light, amber and dark beers, high, mixed, spontaneous fermentation, Brettanomyces, from
low to high alcohol content, characterized by acidic notes, with added fruit (Sour Fruit Ale)
GOLD: BEER OF THE HERMITAGE – Get Back Journals
SILVER: OPPERBACCO MICROBREWERY – Nature Amarene
BRONZE: EASTSIDE BREWING – Bloody Side
Cat. 40 – Light, amber and dark beers, high, mixed, spontaneous fermentation, Brettanomyces, from
low to high alcohol content, characterized by acidic notes, without added fruit (Sour
Farmhouse/Sour Ale)
GOLD: MENARESTA BREWERY – Birra Madre
SILVER: MENARESTA BREWERY – Madribulan
BRONZE: BEER IN – Sour Faire
Cat. 41 – Light beers, high fermentation, low alcohol content, salty and/or lactic, inspired by
German (Berliner, Gose)
GOLD: BATZEN – Batzen Gosexy
SILVER: RITUAL LAB – Gose
BRONZE: EVOQE BREWING – Evoqesour #1
Mention:
THE LURE BREWERY – Der Himmel über Berlin
Cat. 42 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic with use of grapes, must, pomace, cooked wine of white grapes (White Italian Grape Ale)
GOLD: RETHIA – Wild Side
SILVER: ALBA CRAFT BREWERY – IGA with white grapes
BRONZE: J63 FARM BREWERY – Lips
Cat. 43 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic with use of grapes, must, pomace, red grape cooked wine (Red Italian Grape Ale)
GOLD: FILODILANA CRAFT BREWERY – Out of the Flock #2
SILVER: BREWERY A THIRD – Sciatò Rouge
BRONZE: BEER OF THE HERMITAGE – Madra
Mention:
PERUGIA BEER FACTORY – Insolita Rossa
Cat. 44 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic with use of grapes, must, pomace, cooked wine of red or white grapes, characterized by notes
sour (Sour Italian Grape Ale)
GOLD: HERMITAGE BEER – Selva Sour
SILVER: OPPERBACCO MICROBREWERY – Nature 2019
BRONZE: PERUGIA BREWERY – Isterica Cerasa
Cat. 45 – Light, amber and dark beers, top or bottom fermentation, from low to high degree
alcoholic, of free inspiration and not falling into any of the previous categories (Extraordinary
Ale/Extraordinary Lager)
GOLD: THE BUTTIGA – Bargnolina
SILVER: CARROBIOLO – Porcini Imperial Stout
BRONZE: ITALIAN BREWERY – Inclusio Ultima
Mention:
BEER OF THE HERMITAGE – Onnetempo
FORTE BREWERY – Birrasanta
BREWERY OF THE YEAR: Crak Brewery
