Int’l Breweries’ Trophy, Hero Larger Beers Win Monde Selection Gold Quality Awards

L-R: Assistant Brand Manager, Eagle Brand, International Breweries, Chibuikem Uzochukwu; Trophy Brand Ambassador, Femi Adebayo; Breweries Operations Director, International Breweries Johan Gouws and Joseph Ohonyon, Ilesa  Plant Manager, International Breweries at an event at the Ilesha Brewery of IB Plc to celebrate the Monde Selection awards won by IB Plc’s Trophy and Hero lagers, recently

In recognition of International Breweries Plc’s reputation for quality and excellence, two of its leading beer brands and national treasures, Trophy lager and Hero lager, have been awarded Gold Quality Awards in the Beers, Waters and Soft Drinks category by the Monde Selection, 2019 edition.

The Monde Selection is an international body that evaluates, tests and awards a large number of consumer products with its unique quality label. Monde Selection is one of the oldest quality institute in the world and aims to deliver the most impartial and independent evaluation.

According to the award organizers, every year, 70 international experts are selected to taste test products from all over the world. After which products that meet the quality standards set by Monde Selection are granted the Quality Award that certifies their quality. For the 2019 awards, 2,948 products, including Trophy and Hero, from 90 countries were featured.

“International Breweries is committed to providing our customers and consumers the highest standard of quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as spelt out in our food and safety policies. Clearly, this Monde Selection Gold Award is a testimony to the importance our business places on quality and the entire organization is indeed very proud of this feat,” Marketing Director, International Breweries, Ms. Tolulope Adedeji.

“Trophy and Hero Lager are no strangers to the Monde Award, as they have claimed the Gold Quality spot three times and two times respectively and this current 2019 award makes it their fourth and third times. It is our commitment to excellence that has earned the brands this deserving recognition,” Tolulope added.

On his part, Supply Chain Director, International Breweries, Johan Gouws reiterated that adherence to unswerving quality assurance processes and uncompromising commitment to excellence has earned Trophy and Hero lagers this commendable recognition.

“Monde Selection is a world wide selection, which confirms that the tastes of Trophy and Hero are world class. The award is granted based on after taste, odour, visual aspect, global judgement and packaging, which clearly reflects the commitment of the business in ensuring that the brand’s promise of an enjoyable, rich and crisp taste to consumers is entrenched in delivering quality product consistently,” Johan concluded

As part of the celebration, brand ambassadors of Hero and Trophy visited the brewery sites of the company to congratulate the employees who contributed to these remarkable achievements. While Trophy brand ambassadors, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz the Bahd Guy and Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo visited the Gateway and Ilesha Breweries respectively, Hero brand ambassadors, Nollywood actor Nkem Owoh and rapper Owoh Chimaobi popularly known as  Zoro  each visited the Onitsha and Pabod breweries.

Launched into the Nigerian market in August 2012, Hero lager beer has won the hearts of consumers in the South & East region and has become a symbol of status and class. The success of the brand draws from its strategic cultural resonance with the people who have christened Hero, ‘Oh Mpa’, in reverence and as a mark of respect (Mpa means father in Igbo language). In 2018, Hero was knighted with a new crown cork -a red cork and the title of “Dike Mba Nile” by the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Highness, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe.

Trophy was launched in 1978 and it became the first brand to be launched in Nigeria by International Breweries. The beer was first introduced in the south west region but has grown to be accepted in other parts of the country because of its distinctive taste, quality and absence of sugar. Trophy beer is a market leader in its category.

L-R: Brewery Operations Director, International Breweries Plc (IB Plc), Mr Johan Gouws; Country People Manager, IB Plc, Mrs Chinelo Obienyem; Nollywood actor and Brand Ambassador, Hero beer, Nkem Owoh; Marketing Director, IB Plc, Mrs Tolulope Adedeji; and Manager, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, IB Plc, Mr Chuma Umuma, at an event at the Onitsha Brewery of IB Plc to celebrate Monde Selection awards won by IB Plc’s Trophy and Hero lagers, recently