The 2017 German Beer of the Year is now available in bottle and draught in New England. Riegele (pronounced Rig-ula), one of the most decorated craft breweries in Europe, is now available throughout Massachusetts.

Through its U.S. importer, Luxe Brands, Riegele has signed an agreement with Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (MBA) for statewide distribution. Riegele will initially be selling its award winning Festbier-Privat; Weizendoppelbock; Augustus 8, named 2016 German Beer of the Year; and its gold medal winning Imperial Helles-Ator. Seasonal beers, such as Dunkel, Doppelbock Dunkel, Herren Pils and Bavarian Ale, will be available on a limited basis.

Established in 2011, the Massachusetts Beverage Alliance provides brewers of all sizes a flexible distribution option committed to quality and freshness in the competitive Massachusetts beer market. Through a like-minded alliance of five long standing family owned distributors, MBA offers statewide sales distribution and customer support to over 10,000 customers across the Commonwealth.

Riegele is under the direction of World Champion Beer Sommelier and 28th generation brewer, Sebastian Priller-Riegele, who believes that the fine art of brewing needs only three main ingredients: passion, dedication, and knowledge.

The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture recently named Riegele 2017 German Brewery of the Year, bestowing the “Bundesehrenpreis” award for outstanding achievements in the DLG Quality Test for Beer. One of only a dozen German breweries to receive the honor, Riegele received 22 gold medals and one silver medal; these followed closely on the heels of recognition at the Meiningers International Craft Beer Award in May, in which Riegele was named International Craft Brewer of the Year with 17 medals; four platinum, four gold and nine silver.

The brewery won a dozen medals at last year’s Meiningers International Craft Beer Award, and its Riegele Augustus 8 was named the 2016 German Craft Beer of the Year. The brewery has also been voted as Europe’s Best Brewery at the European Beer Star and 2016 World Cup of Beer; named 2015 German Craft Brewery of the Year; won the prestigious DLG National Prize an unprecedented nine times in a row; and had its Commerzienrat Riegele Privat proclaimed 2010 German Beer of the Decade.

Founded in 1386, Riegele is acknowledged as one of Germany’s leading breweries in respect to quality and beer culture. Riegele is imported to the United States by Luxe Brands and is currently being distributed in bottle and draft by Cavalier Distributing in FL, OH and IN; Sarene Craft Beer Distributors in NY; River City Distributing in KY: and Massachusetts Beverage Alliance in MA. 

Beverage, Industry News