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Best Belgian beer is now Finnish
Malmgård Brewery’s Belge beer has been chosen as the best Belgian-style strong dark beer at the esteemed World Beer Awards in London.
The high-profile industry event gathered some 3 500 beers from 56 countries, out of which the country winners and style winners were chosen by a jury consisting of influential industry people. Malmgård was the only Finnish brewery that came out as a style winner.
“Belge beers have always been highly valued so a win in this category feels special,” said Tuomas Markkula, brewmaster at Malmgård Brewery.
This is the second consecutive year that the brewery was named a style winner, after beating Guinness to the top spot of the stouts category last year.
Markkula founded the brewery in 2009 and has two decades of experience in the business, having taught a lot of the up-and-coming Finnish brewmasters that are making a name for themselves today.
“Malmgård differs from a lot of other microbreweries in its selection, as we still have the same products that were brewed in our early days. Belge has become quite the classic and is also a favourite among the brewery staff,” explained Markkula.
Malmgård Brewery is located in a 19th-century mansion just outside Helsinki and is a popular visiting destination for history buffs and beer enthusiasts. The brewery and Belge beer are celebrating their 10-year birthdays this year.
“I can’t think of a better birthday present for our brewery and for the beer herself,” chuckled Markkula.
The Finnish winners in the country categories were Pyynikin Brewing Company, Black Brook Brewery, Hoppa, Sinebrychoff, Iso-Kallan Panimo and Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas.