A handful of thriving Mexican craft breweries will be thirsting for success at the World Beer Cup, the most prestigious international beer competition.
Held every two years since 1996, this year’s edition takes place May 1 and 2 in San Diego, California.
Flying the flag for Mexico again this year is Guadalajara’s renowned Minerva Brewery. Their Minerva Pale Ale took the gold medal in the English-Style Mild Ale category in 2010.
Joining Minerva in the battle of the suds will be Mexican brewers Calavera, Josefa, La Chingoneria, Primus, San Vicente and Tijuana.
Often referred to as “the Olympics of Beer Competition,” the World Beer Cup’s stated mission is to “create greater consumer awareness around the world about the quality and diversity displayed by the various beers of the world.”
The event is organized by the Brewers Association, an independent not-for-profit company based in Boulder, Colorado.
Competition will be fierce this year. The number of entries from outside the United States has increased 28 percent over 2010, according to the competition’s website (www.worldbeercup.org). The non-U.S. entries represent 32 percent of the total entries in the 2012 event. Similarly, the judging panel has a very international flavor, with 215 judges representing 29 countries.
The 2012 event will see 3,949 beers competing from 56 countries. A total of 828 breweries will be participating.