PRESS RELEASE / August 15, 2024 (Ipswich, MA) – True North Ale Company was awarded national Grand Champion for Vincianne Belgian Blonde Ale at the 2024 summer competition of the US Beer Tasting Championship. Vincianne also earned that honor in 2023 in the Belgian/French Specialty Beer category.
“The USBTC summer competition provides us an opportunity to match some of our top beers versus many of the best beers in America. It is an honor to have Vincianne repeat as Grand Champion,” said Seth Barnum, Head Brewer at True North Ales.
The USBTC takes a unique approach by first judging beers on a regional basis to determine the best entry from each of seven US regions: 1) Northeast, 2) Mid-Atlantic 3) Southeast, 4) Midwest, 5) Rockies / Southwest, 6) California, and 7) Northwest / Pacific. A Grand Champion is then chosen from the regional winners in 18 different beer categories. This year True North Ales won two additional regional awards for 2023 Grand Champion Holy Schnitt! Munich Helles and Northern Haze Juicy IPA.
Vincianne Belgian Blonde Ale is one of True North Ales core brands, offered throughout the year and found at better beer stores and bars in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and at its Ipswich taproom. Vincianne had previously earned a Gold Award at the 2018 World Beer Cup and Gold Medals at the 2023 Great American Beer Fest, 2023 Best of Craft Beer Awards, and three years at the National Brewers Association International Competition.
True North Ale Company is located in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Opened in 2017, its beers have been poured in more than 1,900 bars and restaurants and sold in more than 1,600 stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. The brewery has won major international awards, to include a Gold Award at the 2018 World Beer Cup, a Gold Medal at the 2023 Great American Beer Fest, Gold and Bronze Medals at the 2021 Great American Beer Fest, a Silver Medal at the 2024 World Beer Cup, and a Silver Medal at the 2020 Great American Beer Fest. It was voted Best Brewery on Boston’s North Shore four consecutive years. Its North Shore location features 150+ seat open-air and tented patios and 150+ seat indoor seating. The North Side events venue may host events with more than 250 guests.
