LEADING brewer SP Brewery has strengthened Papua New Guinea’s international ranking when in scored triple gold for its prided beers at the 2007 Monde Selection  in Barcelona, Spain.

In a special media event held at the Crowne Plaza, SPB’s Technical Manager Daniel Khaw announced that the country’s three icon beer brands – SP Lager, SP Export Lager and Niugini Ice beers won: “Not one, not two but three gold medals for all 3 of our prided brews in the Monde Selection for Quality.”

Based in Belgium, the Monde Selection is the International Institute for Quality. It is one of the world’s most prestigious beer awards which recognizes the quality of ingredients used, the brewing processes and techniques, and awards gold medal only to those that meet the highest standards.  This year, over 70 countries participated in the awards.

Mr Khaw added: “2007 also marks the first time that our premium brand, South Pacific Export Lager, has been awarded the gold medal for the second consecutive year.”

“To win a Monde Selection Award truly represents international quality,” said Mr Khaw. “And all Papua New Guineans should be proud as our PNG-made beers truly deserve their place amongst world class international beers.”

Mr Khaw said that these unprecedented events mark a turning point  for  the beer industry in PNG, “putting us in the ranks of great international beer brands such as Australia’s James Boag’s Premium and the American Sam Adams Light, all of whom are winners of the Monde Selection Gold Medal as well,” said Mr Khaw.

Prior to the announcement, SP Brewery organised a mini brewery tour for the media which was intended purposely to give them some insight into the meticulous and stringent standards under which SP beers are made.

Brewery Manager Kuri Yuwai told the media that SPB beers go through 199 quality checks before the final product.

“The process of making good beer is an art. It requires passion – A passion to transcend the simple mixing of ingredients to create something that can be recognised as being of the highest quality.  This is what we have here at SP Brewery, a group of passionate and skilled brewers in the art of making great beer,” said Mr Yuwai.

“It is those stringent standards that help us maintain the excellence of our products,” said Mr Yuwai.

Mr Khaw said that even with these great achievements, SP Brewery will not be resting on its laurels.

“The journey to the success we enjoy today has not been an easy road, and we could not have done it without the support of the people of Papua New Guinea and our customers. PNG has now proven that we have what it takes to compete in the world market. We will continue to work hard to achieve even greater things,” said Mr Khaw.

He also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the Brewery staff in upholding PNG’s beers at the world-class ranking.