I often suffer from imposter syndrome when it comes to beer, which is why I love to report when one of my personal faves is acknowledged like this. It validates my opinion. Recently, Icicle Brewing’s Premium Pilsner was awarded a silver medal at the 2025 European Beer Star Awards, the largest beer competition in Europe. That medal-winning beer is a regular visitor to the fridge at the Jones household. Icicle Brewing was not the only PNW brewery to earn recognition. (Above: Collin Christianson, Director of Brewery Operations at Icicle Brewing Company, accepting the award.)
- The European Beer Star Awards saw over 2,200 beers judged in 74 style categories.
- Beers from over 40 countries entered the competition.
- 15 U.S. breweries earned medals.
- Two of the three medals in the International Lager category went to PNW breweries. Along with Icicle Brewing’s silver medal, pFriem Family Brewers earn a gold for its Mexican Lager.
- No-Li Brewhouse earned a bronze medal for Spartan Squatch in the Imperial IPA category.
- Monkless Belgian Ales of Bend, Oregon earned a gold medal for its Four Devils in the Belgian-style strong blonde ale category.
“Winning silver at the European Beer Star is an incredible honor,” said Collin Christianson, Director of Brewery Operations at Icicle Brewing Company, who was in Munich to accept the award. “We’re especially proud that our Icicle Premium Pilsner, a beer you can find in grocery stores across Washington stood out on the world stage. This award validates not only our entire team’s dedication to quality, but also the idea that our world-class beers aren’t just taproom exclusives.”
