4 SC beers among best in the world for 2023, according to international competition. Take a look
If you’re a beer aficionado in South Carolina, you’ve likely sampled a good bit of what the state’s breweries have to offer.
But have you tried any of the proven, award-winning best-of-the-best brews? Well, there’s still time to try the top beers South Carolina has to offer this year.
Four South Carolina beers recently won awards for best beers of 2023 in the World Beer Cup. Two of the beers were made in Charleston and Columbia, while the other two were produced in Greenville.
A panel of 272 judges from 26 countries evaluated 10,213 entries from 2,376 breweries representing 51 countries this year. Beers in 103 categories covering 176 different styles received first, second and third place awards. Judging for the event took place over 18 sessions and nine days.
The World Beer Cup was established in 1996 to celebrate “the art and science of brewing globally and creates greater consumer awareness about different beer styles and flavor profiles,” a press release about the World Beer Cup states.
Below are the four South Carolina beers that won awards in the 2023 World Beer Cup. To view all the winning beers this year, click here.
Oaxaca Choca Mexican Chocolate Stout
Produced by New Realm Brewing Co. in Charleston, Oaxaca Choca Mexican Chocolate Stout won third place in the chili beer category. According to New Realm’s website, the stout is brewed with vanilla, cinnamon, chili peppers, locally-roasted cacao nibs and Xocolatl small batch chocolate from Krog Street Market in Atlanta.
“This ridiculously tasty winter warmer sips like a cup of Mexican hot cocoa with just enough spice to balance the sweet,” New Realm’s website states.
Macroeconomics
Columbia Craft Brewing Co. won first place in the contemporary American-style lager category for Macroeconomics. The lager was developed with the intent of producing a beer that was extremely easy to drink, Columbia Craft’s website states. It was brewed with Carolina Malt 6-row pilsner, flaked rice and jasmine rice.
“The resulting beverage is a delightful little day drinker that is crisp, light, and balanced with delicate notes of pandan, and saltine crackers,” the website states.
Ultra Secret Enigma
Ultra Secret Enigma earned a third place award in the international light lager category and was produced by Liability Brewing Co. in Greenville. The light lager has notes of fresh cut hay, honeysuckle and lemon cake, with a flavor profile of biscuit dough, noble spice and pear, Liability Brewing’s website states.
30 E Stout St.
Iron Hill Brewery of Greenville won first place in the sweet stout or cream stout category for its 30 E Stout St. The beer is described as a classic milk stout with pleasant notes of rich chocolate from roasted malts, along with a smooth, silky finish.
