For the 2020 edition of European Beer Star a total number of 2.036 submissions have been registered at the deadline day, September 4th. Breweries from 42 countries are participating in this year's competition.

“2.036 beers! We were surely not expecting such a huge participation number!", says Kilian Kittl, the tasting manager. Even the team of the association Private Brauereien was surprised that breweries from 42 countries want to compete in the Europen Beer Star in this difficult year.

Until September 28th, the beers had to arrive at the place of the tasting, the Doemens Academy in Gräfelfing near Munich. About 30.000 bottles have been received, unpacked, checked, marked, categorized, sorted and stored in climate cells - a huge organizational achievement by the Doemens Academy as partner of the European Beer Star. From October 8th to 9th, the judges will decide which beers earn the award European Beer Star. In this competition, only the medals gold, silver and bronze are awarded in each category – this year in 70 categories.

This year’s challenges are far bigger than ever. A few weeks ago, a hygienic concept has been developed and is being edited constantly according to the current pandemic situation. The association Private Brauereien has to be flexible in 2020 until the very last day. Especially in regards to the coordination of the judges. "We observe on a daily basis which countries and parts of the world are being declared a risk area. Judges from a risk area might not be allowed to enter the country”, Kittl explains.

"I am really proud of the European Beer Star team!“, adds Stefan Stang, Director of the association Private Brauereien Bayern. "Our concept is agile and adaptive. Without the enormous efforts of Kilian Kittl, the staff in the office and the team of the Doemens Academy, we would have never seen such high participation numbers. We are now in a position to represent the industry and beer itself together with Doemens and the judges even in Covid-19 times in dignity.”