Stratford’s Athletic Brewing Co. takes ‘Brewer of the Year’ honors

Athletic Brewing Co. has won the top prize across all North American brewers and been named “Brewer of the Year” by the International Beer Challenge (IBC) 2020.

In addition to the top honor, the IBC named the Stratford non-alcoholic brewer”™s Free Wave IPA both its Supreme Champion Beer and Best No & Low Alcohol Beer.

“We are humbled by this award because our beers stand out beyond the non-alcoholic category and are rated on par with some of the greatest beers ever brewed,” said Athletic Co-founder and Head Brewer John Walker.

“In just three short years, we have elevated Athletic beers to the pinnacle of the industry,” declared Co-founder Bill Shufelt. “Not only are we changing people”™s impressions of non-alcoholic beer, but we are opening up new occasions for beer, and most importantly taking non-alcoholic beers out of the penalty box.”

According to Stastista, the global non-alcoholic beer market is valued at about $18 billion, and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%, reaching a value of about $25 billion by 2024.