Latin America’s most important beer competition, the “Copa Cervezas de América,” is slated for September 5th thru 10th in Santiago, Chile. A wealth of different microbreweries and industrial labels are set to participate in this event, which is organized by Alma Cerveza magazine and Maltexco and sponsored by ProChile.

The contest is distinguished by both its seriousness and independence. Reinforcing these values, organizers have recruited an outstanding national and international jury, including: Pascual Ibáñez, Carlos Reyes, Felipe Pizarro and Paola Michaud from Chile, Martín Boan from Argentina, Fabiana Arreguy from Brazil, and Matthew Brynildson, Lyn Kruger, Jay Brooks, Lars Larson, John Guzman, Bill Pengelly and John Holl from the USA. These experienced beer judges will gather to identify the best beers in each category in the competition.

The “Copa Cervezas de America” will be held at the Technical Training Institute DuocUC, where representatives from the national beer industry will lead tastings, lectures and technical seminars.

The event seeks to highlight and strengthen the American beer industry, which has been growing rapidly for many years. Chile is quickly becoming an international force in this market and the contest will give due recognition to the many fantastic brews coming out of the region. As the first international beer competition in Chile, it represents a landmark event that will emphasize the Americas as an increasingly important center of quality beer production.

Judges will rate the beer using the following criteria: Flavour, Aroma, Mouthfeel, Appearance, and Overall Impression. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded, in addition to category awards, including best in each beer category, best American microbrew, best American large brew, and best beer. The awards ceremony will be on September 8, in a location to be announced.

Judges will rate the beers in a blind tasting, which will assure that only the beer itself and not the label sways decisions. The name of each beer will be withheld until each judge has submitted his or her final score. In addition, judges will not be permitted to influence the opinions of the other judges in any way.

The “Copa Cervezas de América” will also be host to a range of seminars related to various aspects of the beer industry, including seminars for consumers, marketers, producers, and anyone else with a love for or interest in beer. Seminars will be for participants and also for the general public. The website will announce the seminar topics and schedule and also provide the opportunity for online registration.

Organizers are currently calling for national and international brands to enter their respective labels. The competition and entry regulations are available on the website.

The following information will be requested: the representative, beer name or brand, place of origin, number of litres produced in 2010, and categories produced and entered, plus a few additional questions.

The registration deadline is August 19, 2011.

Samples will be received between July 1 and August 30, 2011.

For more information.

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