London's Anderson Craft Ales Crowned Best in the World with Their Cream Ale

London, Ontario is officially on the global beer map! Anderson Craft Ales, a local favorite, has snagged the title of best cream ale in the world at the World Beer Festival held in Norwich, England.

This is no small feat—Anderson Craft Ales' cream ale also recently won the gold medal in Canada, making it the top cream ale in the country. The brewery's owner, Gavin Anderson, couldn't be prouder of this incredible achievement. The cream ale has already bagged several national awards, and this international recognition is the cherry on top.

For those unfamiliar, the World Beer Awards is a massive event with 10 different categories, and Anderson Craft Ales came out on top in the pale beers category. Gavin Anderson describes his award-winning cream ale as a very drinkable beer that's flavorful and not too heavy. It's that sweet spot between character and drinkability that sets it apart from more generic options.

Anderson Craft Ales isn’t a one-beer wonder. The brewery has a portfolio of impressive brews, including an IPA, gold lager, and amber, as well as seasonal offerings like a summer pilsner and a fall marzen. This isn't the first time Anderson Craft Ales has shined on the awards stage either; they’ve amassed seven national, six provincial, and two international brewing awards since opening in 2016. Their collection even includes other varieties like stouts, dark lagers, and a notably popular strawberry sour.

Scott Simmons, president of the Ontario Craft Brewers Association, is also adding to the chorus of praise. He says it's no surprise that Anderson Craft Ales has snagged the title of best in the world, given the dedication and attention to detail in their brewing process. The sentiment rings true for London residents who’ve long enjoyed supporting their local breweries.

Anderson Craft Ales' success isn’t just about accolades; it’s about community. The brewery employs about 24 staff members and brews a whopping 450,000 cans of cream ale each year, with more than 1.5 million cans produced annually across all their beers. Most of their sales are concentrated in Southwestern Ontario, although their reach extends from Windsor to Ottawa.

While Anderson Craft Ales stole the spotlight in the cream ale category, other Canadian breweries also performed well in various other categories at the World Beer Festival. Winners included Unibroue from Quebec for their Belgian-style blonde and Las Voix Maltee for their bitter.

If you haven't yet experienced the delights of Anderson Craft Ales, now is the perfect time to explore what this local brewery has to offer. London, Ontario’s craft beer scene is buzzing, and with award-winning options like Anderson Craft Ales, it’s easy to see why.