Malaysian-brewed craft beer wins first-ever medals at World Beer Awards

PaperKite Brewing Co was awarded a gold medal for its signature Copper Ale. — Photo: MICHAEL CHEANG/The Star

A Malaysian-brewed craft beer has won medals at the prestigious World Beer Awards for the first time ever.

PaperKite Brewing Co was awarded a gold medal for its signature Copper Ale, and a silver medal for its Pale Ale at the ceremony held in London on August 3.

PaperKite founder Alvin Lim receives the medals at the World Beer Awards 2023 from Awards Director Anita Uiszaszi. — Photo: Handout

Voted on by a panel of 60 international judges, all industry experts in their own right, World Beer Awards is one of the most coveted awards in the global beer industry.

Breweries all over the world submit their beers for this competition three weeks before the award ceremony, which are then blind tasted and judged based on a number of criteria, including the appearance, aroma, taste, and alcohol by volume (ABV).

Medals are awarded to the beers that garnered the highest points across all the categories. PaperKite's signature brew, Copper Ale, was awarded a gold medal in the 'Bitter 4.5 to 5.5%' category, while its popular Pale Ale got a silver medal in the 'Pale Ale' category.

As a gold medal winner, the Copper Ale is now in the running to be named as one of the World’s Best Beers, which is the next stage of the competition. Here, the highest rated beers go up against each other for a spot at the top of their respective categories.

“We’re incredibly proud and surprised to take home two medals with us after putting in so much hard work into making our passion and dreams come true as a startup,” said PaperKite Founder Alvin Lim.

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Paperkite's Pale Ale was awarded a silver medal in the 'Pale Ale' category. — Photo: MICHAEL CHEANG/The Star

“This is a dream come true for the PaperKite team as we’re still just a small team. We’re grateful for the recognition received by the international craft beer community as we continue to do our best to make good beer and be a true Malaysian pride,” said Gilbert Ang, PaperKite’s Brewer.

These recent wins also follow PaperKite's recent success in the Asia Beer Awards at Singapore's Beerfest Asia 2023, in which the Pale Ale took home a bronze.

Although only available in the Klang Valley at Tap Room, Bamboo Hills, for the time being, the Malaysian craft brewery is planning to hit the road on a mini celebratory tour, which will include a takeover of popular bar Backdoor Bodega in Penang on August 27, and more planned takeovers in Ipoh and KL.