In a previous post I called Rogue Ales overhyped. They weren't quite what I'd expected based on the hype for the US beer scene and the general air of expectation for them. I thought they were good, but not GREAT. Well, it seems that others don't agree and Rogue won a number of awards at the International Beer Challange. Now, while the IBC claims to be the "the largest packaged beer competition in the world" I take it this means they only judge packaged beers and "beers are judged on both taste and packaging with 60% of marks on taste and 40% on packaging".
Forty per cent for packaging! Now, come on! While there is a packaging section in the AIBA, it is solely about packaging for that category. How can you possibly claim that a beer awards that includes such a high weighting - or any weighting - to packaging is a fair list of the world's best beers?
Looking at the website it seems that the awards are presented by William Reed Business Media, publishers of a number of retailing publications including Off Licence News - the "voice of drinks retailing" which explains a lot. Packaging is important to selling beers and selling beers is obviously pretty important to retailers so it's not surprising that they would have awards to recognise beers that are geared to sell well...but that doesn't make them the The World's 50 Best Beers - it's a bit like a car magazine having awards for the 50 best cars and deciding it on the paintwok. This is a list of the 50 Most Saleable maybe, but I'll still take the World Beer Cup as more of a guide to the world's best beers and there Rogue won a Gold and Bronze in the Specialty Beer category for Morimoto Soba Ale and Morimota Black Obi Soba Ale, but nothing for it four entries in the "50 Best" list.
Good beers with great packaging, sure. Best beers in the world? Not in my book. (Still, as always, try them for yourself and make up your own mind. Afterall, that's what beer is all about.)
By the way, if you're ever in Melbourne make sure you get along to The Local Taphouse in East St Kilda (and they're opening one in Darlinghurst, Sydney). It is a really good beer bar - stacks of taps, none tied and they have a great range of beers and a fantastic atmosphere. You could even try a Rogue and tell me if I'm wrong!