Rye River Brewing Company – world’s most decorated independent craft brewery
“This unprecedented achievement builds on the 19 World Beer Awards won by the brewery in 2018, making 2019 the company’s most successful year to date,” stated the company’s Founder and Managing Director Tom Cronin.
The Irish craft beer company has won an unprecedented 21 World Beer Awards so far this year, officially making it the “world’s most decorated independent craft brewery”.
The Celbridge-based brewery produces beers under flagship brands McGargles and Rye River Seasonal as well as supplying private and exclusive craft beers to some of Ireland’s largest retailers.
The McGargles beer range topped the honours list with nine awards. Its core range can be found in all major retailers.
Other award-winning Rye River brands include the Solas range (sold exclusively to Tesco Ireland), the Grafters range (sold exclusively to Dunnes Stores here) and The Crafty Brewing Company range (produced exclusively for Lidl and now also available in over 20 countries across Europe).
Last year the brewery more than doubled its sales across Europe to over €2.7 million from €1.3 million in 2017 and its export growth continues this year with expansion aimed beyond the current 25 export markets it currently serves.
Overall Rye River Brewing secured:
- World’s Best IPA American Style for McGargles Francis’ Big Bangin’ IPA
- 12 Country Style Winners for:McGargles Francis’ Big Bangin’ IPA, McGargles Dan’s Double IPA, McGargles Daragh’s Session IPA, McGargles Bill’s Wheat IPA, McGargles Ned’s Retro IPA, McGargles Granny’s Red Ale, Solas Brown Porter, Grafters Clocking off Kolsch style, The Crafty Brewing Company’s American Style Pale Wheat Ale and its American Style Brown Ale, Rye River Mother Pucker Blackberry Sour and its Belgian Imperial Stout
- 4 Gold Medal Winners for: McGargles Rosie’s Pale Ale, Rye River Miami J IPA, The Crafty Brewing Company Irish Red Ale and its Irish Stout
- 3 Silver Medal Winners for: McGargles Jim’s Stout, Grafters Working Day IPA and The Crafty Brewing Company Irish Pale Ale
- One Bronze Medal Winner for: Rye River Just The Tipple Spruce Tip Saison.
Since the establishment of the brewery in 2013, Rye River Brewing has achieved a phenomenal 130 awards. In the last three years it has won five Best in Class Awards at the World Beer Awards, meaning that it now produces five of the best beers in the world, driving the reputation of Irish craft beer internationally.
The World Beer Awards celebrates beers from around the world, with over 2,000 beers from 30 countries entering.
The awards are a part of The World Drinks Awards, a global awards show selecting the very best in all internationally-recognised styles of drinks.
In all, 21 of the 30 beers Rye River produce took home awards.
“This unprecedented achievement builds on the 19 World Beer Awards won by the brewery in 2018, making 2019 the company’s most successful year to date,” stated the company’s Founder and Managing Director Tom Cronin, “The key to our success has been our small batch brewing (2,500 litres) process, which allows our brewing team to ensure the best quality beer is always crafted, by experimenting, tasting and smelling at every stage of production, consistently delivering great-tasting beers for our customers.”
Rye River Brewing Company employs 47 people to work on the brewery’s portfolio of 30 multi award-winning beers.
Full list of all 21 World Beer Awards
| The Crafty Brewing Company | American Style Brown Ale | Country Winner |
| Rye River | Mother Pucker Blackberry Sour | Country Winner |
| McGargles | Francis’ Big Bangin’ IPA | World’s Best IPA American Style |
| McGargles | Francis’ Big Bangin’ IPA | Country Winner |
| Grafters | Working Day IPA | Silver |
| Rye River | Miami J IPA | Gold |
| McGargles | Ned’s Retro IPA | Country Winner |
| McGargles | Dan’s Double IPA | Country Winner |
| McGargles | Daragh’s Session IPA | Country Winner |
| McGargles | Bill’s Wheat IPA | Country Winner |
| McGargles | Granny’s Red Ale | Country Winner |
| The Crafty Brewing Company | Irish Red Ale | Gold |
| McGargles | Rosie’s Pale Ale | Gold |
| The Crafty Brewing Company | Irish Pale Ale | Silver |
| Rye River | Just The Tipple Spruce Tip Saison | Bronze |
| Grafters | Clocking Off Kölsch Style | Country Winner |
| Rye River | Belgian Imperial Stout | Country Winner |
| Solas | Brown Porter | Country Winner |
| The Crafty Brewing Company | Irish Stout | Gold |
| McGargles | Jim’s Stout | Silver |
| The Crafty Brewing Company | American Style Pale Wheat Ale | Country Winner |
