The iTQi Awards take place in Brussels each year and the organisation behind them is a primary independent Chef and Sommelier based initiative devoted to judging and awarding superior food and drink products from countries around the globe. Close to eight hundred products were submitted and subsequently tested by this year's judges for the 2009 rankings.
The three star award is highest rating available to any given brand in this competition, and is indicative of 'Exceptional products with 90% and more of the total marks'.
The iTQi's are wholly unbiased, and products are tested blindly, with no packaging or identification so they are judged fairly without any preconceptions. Judges are selected from the foremost European culinary and sommeliers associations and, according to the Taste Institute, products are evaluated 'on their individual merits and don't compete against each other'.
Dino D'Araujo, brand manager for Hansa Marzen Gold, says, "The Hansa team and brewmasters in particular are proud to have won this award. We believe that Hansa Marzen Gold is one of the best kept secrets in beer and we think it fitting that the beer has received the recognition that it deserves. The ITQI awards are associated with superior products and so they are fast becoming a powerful influencer in determining consumer choices. Winning a Superior Taste Award is in itself a valuable marketing tool for our brand."
