Clearbrook BC wins International Gold Medal for Best Tasting Water!
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The Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting, the world’s most prestigious, gave out awards to waters from four continents. Five continents had waters among the nearly 100 entered.
The municipal water category saw three former gold medalists in the top five. Gold went to Clearbrook, BC, Canada. Silver medal was won by first time entry South Muskoka, ON, Canada. Bronze medal was won by St. Paris, OH, making them the best in the United States. There was a tie for fourth place, between former gold medalist Emporia, KS and first time entry Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. In fifth place, just one single point behind, was former gold medalist Eldorado Springs, CO.
This win is the 7th gold for Clearbrook since 2007. "The consistency in winners from year to year with different panels of judges validates the choices,” remarked esteemed watermaster, Arthur von Wiesenberger. "It also speaks to the impressively high caliber of the waters entered.”
Nine media judges spent hours tasting and selecting from waters sourced in eighteen states, three Canadian provinces and fourteen foreign countries. "There were municipal entries from Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Korea this year, with representatives – and even a costumed water drop - from K (Korea) Water in attendance. The total of countries over the life of the event is 59, including waters from Tasmania, Turkey, Bosnia, Greece, and New Zealand,” said Jill Klein Rone, event producer.
The nine media judges selected by Klein Rone included representatives from ABC7-TV, Washington, DC and Insider’s Guide to Spas, as well as various regional and national media including newspapers, websites, and online and print magazines. They were trained by von Wiesenberger to look, sniff and taste each water under guidelines similar to those in a wine tasting. The waters were rated for each attribute including appearance (it should be clear - or slightly opaque for glacial waters), aroma (there should be none), taste (it should taste clean), mouth feel (it should feel light), aftertaste (it should leave you thirsty for more).
The judges’ job is crucial and so is their training. All judges are presented with a diploma designating them as a Certified Water Taster.
Best Municipal Water 2023
1st – Clearbrook, BC, Canada
2nd - South Muskoka, ON, Canada
3rd - St Paris, OH, USA
Tie 4th - Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Tie 4th - Emporia, KS
5th - Eldorado Springs, CO
