Deadline for entry in World Beer Awards 2010 draws near

(Ljupco Smokovski)

February 5 is the deadline for entries for the World Beer Awards 2010; submissions are accepted from the Americas, Asia and Europe.

The World Beer Awards (WBA) were started in 2007 by tastingbeers.com, an international publication and online site devoted to beer. Roger Protz, a British author who has published numerous articles and books on beer including The Complete Guide to World Beer and The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Beer, is the International Chairman of the awards. This year regional chairs will also join. The panel of judges is comprised of leading journalists, retailers, buyers, brewers and brewing marketers and expect to taste over 360 beers .

All bottled or canned beers are tasted blind and judged on strict, accepted criteria for aroma, flavor, appearance, and finish with special attention to balance, character, complexity and quality. There are four stages to the competition in which an extensive selection of beers are awarded. There are seven different categories (ale, pale ale, dark ale, lager, new release, stout & porter and wheat beer) for the World Best Beers and over 50 different styles are eligible to receive the World’s Best "Style" award.

World’s Best Style trophies will be announced on May 3 on tastingbeers.com

World Beer Awards and WBA book publication on July 29.

Tastingbeers.com told Relaxnews the dates of the WBA 2010 Luncheon and Gala in London are not yet confirmed, but will most likely take place after July 29.

More information about the Awards, process, criteria, judging, timetable and entry forms: http://www.tastingbeers.com/awards/wba