The annual France Bière Challenge has secured approval from the European Beer Consumers Union.

The competition sees the best French beers competing for medals in many classes. Last year there were more than 500 beers in 39 categories competing.

The festival has now received the seal of approval from the organisation of consumer and political groups representing beer drinkers across Europe.

EBCU chairman André Brunnsberg said: “The beers are judged by both French and international beer judges and fulfils the criteria we set for endorsing competitions. With the endorsement we want to tell the French beer consumers that this competition can be trusted with honest reviews of the competing beers given by the judges.”

The criteria for endorsement set by EBCU covers many aspects, including insisting that the judging must be blind and independent of the brewers. Procedures must also be open and the beers competing should be handled and served correctly to the judges.

Competition director Luc De Raedemaeker said: “The endorsement is quite important for us, the rules of the France Bière Challenge are based on the charter created by EBCU. It’s an excellent guideline to set up a fair competition.”

France Bière Challenge is the 10th beer competition endorsed by EBCU and the first in France. More information about the festival is available at: https://francebierechallenge.fr/