That distinction belonged to Boston Beer Co. at last month's ceremony, held at Brau Beviale in Nuremberg, Germany.

Boston Beer won the gold in four categories: German-style schwarzbier, for its Samuel Adams Black Lager; porter, for its Samuel Adams Holiday Porter; fruit beer, for its Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat and specialty honey beer, for its Samuel Adams Honey Porter.

Boston wasn't the only North American brewer to do well at the event. Bend, OR-based Deschutes Brewery won a pair of gold medals: in the English-style ale category, for its Mirror Pond Pale Ale and in the Dry Stout competition for its Obsidian Stout. Gambrinus-affliated Pete's Brewing Co. (San Antonio, TX) took a silver in the fruit beer category for Pete's Strawberry Blonde.

St. John's, Canada-based Moosehead Breweries, also marketed by Gambrinus, won a gold in the mild beer category for its signature lager.

The European Beer Star Awards is organized by Verband Private Brauereien and the Association of Small and Independent Brewers in Europe.

Other winners hailed from countries both obvious (Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic, natch) and not-so obvious (Namibia, Iceland), signaling the truly global nature of brewing.

For a complete list of winners in all 35 categories, visit www.european-beer-star.com.