Parish Pilsner, a locally crafted beer, has taken a silver award in one of the industry’s most competitive global beer competitions.

Brewed by Bermuda Craft Brewing, the awarded tipple puts the island on the map among the best on the market after the firm won at the Best of Craft Beer Awards competition in Bend, Oregon in the US.

At the event, which was held from March 14 to 16, Bermuda Craft Brewing was one of only two non-American breweries among hundreds of global entries to receive awards.

This year 1,239 entries from 233 breweries came in.

Judging took place during a three-day, five-session period.

Frederick Phillips of Bermuda Craft Brewing said: “This award is a testament to the quality of craft beer being brewed right here in Bermuda.

“We’re incredibly proud to represent the island on the international stage and invite everyone to raise a glass of our award-winning Parish Pilsner.”

He gave kudos to Nic Veenstra, master brewer, who he noted put a “tremendous amount of work” into preparations.

During a sit-down at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, one of the company’s largest customers, Mr Veenstra said the beer managed to survive elimination rounds during the first two days of the event.

Mr Veenstra, who was born in Oregon and is familiar with the competition, said the company entered the event with eight of its beverages.

The brewery has competed over the past three years and each year, the products placement improved.

He said in the final rounds, there are usually six to nine competing beers depending on the category.

He said the Parish Pilsner “was in a light lager category, a pretty large category, under 4 per cent alcohol”.

Mr Veenstra said it was “really exciting to see how the beers fared”.

Mr Phillips added: “They give really good feedback, how the judges perceive our beers, and so we learn from that and then apply that feedback.”

Mr Veenstra added: “The judges look at the aesthetic of the beer, aroma of the beer and also technical qualities.

“Also the end there is a spot for them to give us technical advice on what could be done better.”

Mr Veenstra said that networking was key in the business.

He said: “In the brewing industry, there is a network and if you need anything or help with special ingredients, I know exactly where to go.

“Here in Bermuda it’s hard to get things in and you have to know what quality of ingredients you need for the products.”

Mr Veenstra added: “The fact that our beer made it into silver place means that technically, brewing was a really good process from start to finish.”

The Parish Pilsner emerged as one of the best in its class during the event, competing against 36 top breweries from across North America and other parts of the world.

Two other beers brewed by the Devonshire-based company — 64 West and 32 North — made it to the final six in a few competitive categories, solidifying the brewery’s reputation for producing world-class craft beer.

The company said Parish Pilsner had become a local favourite enjoyed on tap at bars and restaurants across the island.

It is also available at the brewery’s taproom on Hermitage Road in Devonshire.

Mr Phillips said the names of the beverages were unique to Bermuda.

“We try to link it to the island as much as we can and some of them we just play with the names,” he said.

Mr Phillips and his friend, Cameron Madeiros, started home brewing a few years ago and in 2020, the duo decided to put their talents together with the birth of the company.

The two brewed the beverages for the first few years. Mr Phillips said as business picked up, they hired Mr Veenstra.

The company brews close to 1,000 gallons of beer annually and plans are in train to expand to a new location.

Mr Phillips said the beverages started with rainwater.

He added: “I think a lot of our investors were actually surprised when we started, but we aim high.”