In the international “World Beer Awards” competition, non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers are evaluated according to different styles. “Kalnapilis Non-Alcoholic” won the gold award in the non-alcoholic lager category, and it was also given the “Country Winner” title.
According to Asta Briedienė, a brewer at the “Kalnapilis-Tauras group,” this result is primarily a recognition of the work of the entire team involved in the product.
“This is one of the most prestigious international beer competitions, so winning a gold medal here is a very important recognition of our team’s work. For me, as a brewer, it confirms that consistent work, attention to detail, and the pursuit of creating the best product are noticed and valued internationally,” says A. Briedienė.
Almost no alcohol, but the taste must remain
In the production of non-alcoholic lager, precision plays one of the most important roles. Alcohol affects the overall taste perception, so with almost no alcohol, the brewer has to figure out how to preserve the beer’s characteristic qualities.
“Producing a non-alcoholic lager is often even more challenging than traditional beer. Alcohol is very important for flavor, so when there is little or almost none, the richness of taste can decrease. Therefore, brewers have to very precisely control the entire production process to ensure the drink remains aromatic, refreshing, and has the beer character that consumers like,” explains A. Briedienė.
When creating “Kalnapilis Non-Alcoholic,” attention was paid to the harmony of different flavor elements. According to the brewer, the aim was that no single characteristic would overpower the others, and the final result would maintain the lager’s typical character.
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“I would especially highlight its perfectly balanced taste, freshness, and characteristic profile. We aimed for the consumer to enjoy this non-alcoholic beer: subtle malt sweetness, gentle hop bitterness, freshness, and full flavor,” says the brewer.
Non-alcoholic beer is evaluated according to different styles
In the international competition, non-alcoholic beer is not evaluated in a single general category. In the “World Beer Awards 2026” group for non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beers, different styles compete separately – from lagers and IPAs to wheat, dark, and other types. Thus, products of the same style are compared against each other.
According to A. Briedienė, this year’s result is important in a broader context – as another recognition of Lithuanian brewers’ work on the international stage.
“I believe this clearly shows that Lithuanian brewing not only can but also successfully competes with the strongest beer producers in the world. We have deep brewing traditions, modern technologies, and professional staff. Such awards not only strengthen the brand but also show that beer produced in our country is valued and recognized,” notes A. Briedienė.
