Bangalore, Dec 04, 2024: Geist Brewing Co. a pioneering name in the Indian craft beer sector, proudly announces that its Franconia-style Smoked Wheat Beer, Geist Rauch-a-Fella, has been awarded the Silver Award in the Smoke Beer category at the renowned European Beer Star 2024. This groundbreaking achievement marks the first time an Indian brewery has been recognised at this prestigious competition since its inception in 2004.
The European Beer Star, held annually in Nuremberg, Germany, is one of the most respected beer competitions in the world. It celebrates beers that are authentic, full of character, and true to traditional European brewing styles. This year, the competition saw 2,360 entries from over 50 countries across 75 categories, judged by 150 international beer experts in a rigorous two-day blind tasting. Beers are evaluated solely on sensory qualities such as appearance, aroma, taste, and style adherence, ensuring the winners are truly exceptional, with only 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze awarded in each of the 75 categories, making this a highly competitive platform.
Inspired by the renowned smoked beers of Bamberg, Germany, Geist Rauch-a-Fella is a Franconia-style smoked wheat beer brewed with Bavarian beechwood-smoked barley malt and traditional wheat malt, combined with the fruity-spicy aromatics of classic Weissbier yeast. This hazy, light amber ale delivers a harmonious balance of smoky flavour, toasty malt character, and refreshing drinkability, with an ABV of 5.4%. Geist Rauch-a-Fella’s authentic interpretation of a Rauchweizen impressed the international panel of judges, earning it a Silver Award in the Smoke Beer category—a remarkable achievement for an Indian craft brewery competing on a global platform.
“Since the start of the European Beer Star in 2004, our competition has focused on beer styles of European origin. However, breweries from all over the world can take part, regardless of whether they are large international breweries or small brewpubs around the corner. With entries from over 50 countries, the European Beer Star is also one of the most international beer competitions. Winning an award at this competition shows that you are at the top of the world in terms of beer quality,” says Stefan Stang from the organising association Private Brauereien.
Commenting on this honourable award, CEO & Co-founder of Geist Brewing Co. Narayan Manepally says: This win is a landmark moment for the Indian craft beer industry, showcasing the global potential of Indian breweries. The awards are known for their stringent evaluation process, making this accomplishment a testament to the growing quality and creativity in Indian craft brewing. To be recognised on such a prestigious platform is a testament to the dedication and passion of our team and the journey we’ve undertaken since 2006. This milestone reinforces our belief that Indian craft beer has the potential to stand among the best in the world.
To celebrate this historic win, Geist Rauch-a-Fella is now available on tap for a limited time at select locations in Bangalore inviting beer enthusiasts to experience the award-winning brew that has put India on the global craft beer map.