However, at the international World Beer Awards 2026 competition, the top title brought back to Bavaria was won not by the usual style tourists order in local beer gardens. This year’s winner unexpectedly turned out to be a strong dark eisbock-a drink brewed using a special technique that demands considerable patience from the brewer.
Global Award Goes to Eisbock from Kelheim
The victory in the “World’s Best Speciality Beer” category went to Tap 9 Aventinus by the Schneider Weisse brewery. Simultaneously, the beverage won the individual subcategory for “World’s Best Eisbock”. These awards represent a rare instance where a single beer style claims two top titles at once. The competition results were announced on August 12 in the English city of Norwich at Sprowston Manor.
The G. Schneider & Sohn company was founded in the Bavarian capital, and its legal address remains registered in the center of Munich at Tal 7. Unfortunately, the beer itself is no longer brewed in Munich today, but rather in Kelheim in Lower Bavaria, where the brewery’s production was relocated in the middle of the last century.
The winning style is virtually incomparable to classic and popular Helles lager. Aventinus Eisbock, with an alcohol content of 12%, ranges in colour from mahogany to nearly black. It is prepared using a freeze-distillation process in which the beer is held at sub-zero temperatures to freeze out water content; removing the ice concentrates the flavours and increases the alcohol strength. This style has been present in Schneider Weisse’s product lineup since 2002.
In essence, this style does not represent a classic type of beer; by general alcohol standards, it is a fortified ale rather than a standard beer. Because of this, the style is less popular among the general public, as few people wish to become intoxicated and fall asleep after just two sips.
Chocolate, Banana, and Dark Fruits in the Jury Evaluation
The competition’s tasters provided a detailed description of this beer style.
In its aroma and flavour profile, they highlighted:
- Chocolate;
- Ripe banana;
- Amarena cherry;
- Raisins, figs, and dates;
- Red plum.
The judges described the aftertaste as long and warming.
How the World’s Best Beer Is Chosen
The World Beer Awards competition proceeds in several stages. Initially, a beer style competes domestically against other entries from its home country, with top performers earning the title of national winner. These national winners then advance to the global level to compete within their respective classifications for the title of “World’s Best”.
Alongside Schneider Weisse’s eisbock, the 2026 jury selected top winners in other categories:
- World’s Best Lager: Bavik Super Pils;
- World’s Best IPA: Landel Atrás do Bloco;
- World’s Best Stout & Porter: Keller Holz Imperial Stout;
- World’s Best German Wheat Beer: Fulu Fresh Beer.
Brewery History Began in 1872
The Schneider Weisse brewery traces its history back to 1872. At that time, Georg I Schneider, together with his son Georg II, purchased the buildings of the closed Zum Maderbräu brewery and established the company G. Schneider & Sohn on the site. By September of that year, the family had begun brewing their own wheat beer.
Following the destruction of the Munich brewery during World War II, production was moved to Kelheim. The connection to the Bavarian capital was retained: in addition to the historical address on Tal Street, the company continues to operate its own beer restaurants in Munich today.
Why This Matters
The victory of Aventinus Eisbock demonstrates that international recognition for Bavarian brewing relies on more than just Helles and festival beers produced for Oktoberfest. A century and a half of family history combined with an unconventional brewing approach allowed the Lower Bavarian brewery to surpass competitors worldwide and reinforce the region’s reputation as a center of global beer culture.
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