Christchurch brewery Cassels have continued their dominance at the annual World Beer Awards, winning a fourth title in four years with their flagship Milk Stout named best in show for the third time.
Last year Cassels APA took the title in the American style Pale Ale category. Cassels previously won best Milk Stout in 2020 and 2019, when the Milk Stout also famously beat Guinness to take out the overall title of best Stout or Porter.
The award for Cassels comes just months after founder Alasdair Cassels passed away.
Cassels head brewer Simon Bretherton said the fourth award in as many years was “colossal”.
Cassels’ continued international recognition is a reflection of its focus on producing great quality examples of key beer styles, Cassels Head Brewer Simon Bretherton said.
“To win a major global beer award is in itself a huge deal, to win one for four years in a row is a colossal achievement and one that we are incredibly proud of. We have a highly talented, passionate and hard- working brewery team who always strive to produce high quality beers, winning these awards is a great way to celebrate their efforts and we couldn’t be more proud of them,” Bretherton said.
New chief executive Marshall Moir said while Cassels was already well renowned for its Milk Stout, last year’s World Best APA award showed their credentials in categories more familiar to most Kiwi beer drinkers.
Cassels said in a statement that that they grew by over 70% in total supermarket sales in the past year (Nielsen data June 26, 2022), with the brand out-selling Tuatara (owned by DB) in the latest quarter.
“As a proudly family owned and Independent craft brewer we are taking on some of the biggest brands in the category,” Moir said.