Guadalajara, Mexico - Jalisco's Minerva Brewery will be one of a hand full of Mexico's craft breweries that will be competing for success at the 2012 World Beer Cup, the most prestigious of international beer competitions.

Known as "The Olympics of Beer Competition", The World Beer Cup is one of several major international beer competitions whose missions are to increase consumer awareness about the quality and diversity of beers brewed around the world. Established in 1996, this competition has been held every two years since.

Brewers from all over the world will participate in this years 9th edition of the event in order to win recognition for their creativity and brewing ability. A highly qualified professional panel of beer judges will honor the top three beers in 90 beer style categories with gold, silver & bronze awards.

The contest takes place May 1st and 2nd in San Diego, California, and will see 3,949 beers competing from 56 countries. A total of 828 breweries will be represented.

The judging panel has a very international flavor as well, with a total of 215 judges representing 30 countries appraising the brewer's entries.

Joining Minerva in the battle of the brew will be Mexican brewers Josefa, Calavera, San Vicente, Primus, La Chingoneria, and Tijuana. The Minerva Brewery took the gold medal in the English-Style Mild Ale category at the last World Beer Cup held in 2010.