#United States #North Coast Brewing #Fort Bragg #Laguna Baja #European Beer Star

North Coast Brewing Company Shines at European Beer Star 2025

On September 18, 2025, North Coast Brewing Company (NCBC) proudly announced a bronze medal victory at the renowned European Beer Star 2025 competition for their remarkable Laguna Baja, a Mexican-style dark lager. This year's event drew a diverse range of entries, featuring close to 2,200 beers competing across 74 different categories, making the achievement even more significant.

The competition, held in Nuremberg, Germany, gathered a panel of 150 international experts including master brewers, beer sommeliers, and top trade journalists. These professionals participated in two days of blind tastings, where they assessed each beer using a variety of sensory criteria such as appearance, aroma, taste, and authenticity to its style. Only the top three beers from each category were awarded medals, including the highly coveted gold, silver, and bronze medals. In the Vienna-Style Lager category, Laguna Baja emerged as a standout against fierce competition.

Kilian Kittl, Managing Director of Private Brauereien Bayern, the organization behind the event, noted, “Our beer competition is globally renowned and highly respected in the brewing industry. The European Beer Star is considered the most challenging beer competition in the world, and every year, our tasters confirm the exceptional quality of the beers. Often, only the slightest differences decide who wins a medal.”

The official award ceremony took place on September 17 as part of the drinktec trade fair in Munich, where the NCBC team received their honors. Jennifer Owen, CEO and CFO of NCBC, expressed her pride following the win, stating, “We’re extremely proud that our Laguna Baja Mexican-Style Dark Lager impressed the expert jury of the European Beer Star and won the Bronze award. This achievement affirms that we are among the best in the world when it comes to beer quality.”

This accolade underscores NCBC's commitment to crafting exceptional beers. Established in 1988, North Coast Brewing Company is fiercely independent and has garnered numerous awards over the years for its range of craft beers, including notable favorites like Scrimshaw and Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. The company's mission, “Making the World a Better Place, One Pint at a Time,” reflects its dedication not only to quality but also to community enrichment.

As beer enthusiasts celebrate, it's important to recognize events like the European Beer Star, which elevate excellent brewing practices and quality beer worldwide. The competition, organized by the Association Private Brauereien since 2004, is a prestigious event honoring genuine, character-rich beers of outstanding quality. For additional details, fans can visit the official website at www.european-beer-star.com.

You can follow North Coast Brewing Company on their social media platforms for more updates: Instagram @NorthCoastBrewingCompany, Twitter @NoCoastBrewCo, and Facebook @NorthCoastBrewingCompany. This bronze medal victory not only celebrates Laguna Baja but also shines a spotlight on the intricate craft behind brewing that continues to capture the world's attention.