Gold and Two Silver Medals at World Beer Championships

So you like Island Brewing Company’s Jubilee Ale and have been known to order a Blackbird Porter and/or a Starry Night Stout on occasion? This just in: your taste buds and those of a world champion beer judge have a few things in common when it comes to what makes a good beer great.

So say the results in from the World Beer Championships, held in Chicago, Il. Founded in 1994, the event is America’s oldest international beer competition and is open to all commercially produced beers from around the world, regardless of US distribution. It is a medal-based competition that awards its medals based on a blind tasting out of a 100-point quality rating scale.

The Jubilee scored a 92 for an exceptional rating and Gold Medal, inspiring some prose that would make an English major jealous: “Deep copper brown color. Aromas of dried fruits, roasted nuts, cocoa, and toast with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a roasted grain, jicama and peppery hop finish. A spot-on old ale with lots of flavor and balance.”

Both the Blackbird Porter and Starry Night Stout rated an 89 or highly recommended rating for their Silver Medals. Judges noted the Blackbird Porter’s “Deep copper brown color. Layered aromas and flavors of over-toasted bread, baker's chocolate and roasted zucchini with a supple, dryish medium body and a round, nutty, husky grain and hay accented finish. A nice food beer.”

The Starry Night Stout stood apart for its “Dense aromas of melted toffee, espresso, toasted pumpernickel and creme brulee, with a silky dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and root vegetable and roasted nut driven finish with mild lettuce-like hops. Very nice.”

Very nice indeed.

http://tastings.com/scout_beer.lasso?id=201073

http://tastings.com/scout_beer.lasso?id=201072

http://tastings.com/scout_beer.lasso?id=201071