Thirsty Monk Takes Home Two Medals From 2019 U.S. Open Beer Championship
The brewery’s North Carolina location received back-to-back medals in the Belgian and French Ale category
ASHEVILLE, NC—Thirsty Monk was the proud recipient of two medals at the 2019 U.S. Open Beer Championship on July 9 in Oxford, Ohio. The brewery’s North Carolina location received back-to-back medals in the Belgian and French Ale category, taking home a silver medal for Abby Blonde and a bronze medal for Past Life, a Belgian-Style Amber Ale.
This is the second time Thirsty Monk has medaled at the U.S. Open Beer Championship; in 2018, the Denver brewery won a gold medal in the French/Belgian Ale category for Abby Blonde, and the brewery’s Asheville location took home silver for Screaming Monk Belgian IPA, in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category. Abby Blonde, which is named after brewery owner Barry Bialik’s daughter, also received its first GABF bronze medal last year.
“When I texted home that Abby Blonde had won another medal, the first question six-year-old Abby asked was Gold or Silver? I’m glad I didn’t have to tell her Bronze though I am super proud of our Bronze for Past Life Amber,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO.
Abby Blonde is a classic Belgian-style Blonde Ale made with Franco-Belges Pilsner malt, wheat, and traditional sugar. Weighing in at 7.3% ABV, this slightly hazy, golden brew was fermented with Thirsty Monk’s in-house Belgian yeast strain, offering a plethora of flavors including banana and light clove.
Past Life Amber, inspired by Bialik’s legendary past life as a Monk and designed to be his partner Shelley’s “perfect beer,” comes in at an approachable 5.0% ABV. Past Life is a smooth, mellow and malty Belgian-inspired amber ale that welcomes entrancing notes of toasted bread, caramel and dried apricot, apple and pear followed by an earthy hop awakening.
“Brian and Chris, our brewers in Denver and Asheville, deserve major kudos for bringing home a medal from almost every competition we are entering. I’m proud of them and the entire Thirsty Monk team,” says Bialik.
Both beers are currently available at Thirsty Monk Asheville, Denver and Portland locations.
If you have questions about Thirsty Monk’s recent U.S. Open Beer Championship win, or any other media inquiries about this family of Belgian-rooted breweries and pubs across the country, contact Chea Franz at chea@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk Brewery currently operates a family of brewpubs in Asheville, North Carolina (Thirsty Monk Downtown Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park), Denver, and Portland, Oregon. Thirsty Monk’s award-winning, modern-rooted Belgian ales are showcased in the company’s Cicerone-crafted food menus, which include beer style-centric Food Flights and beer-paired burgers. Find the company online at monkpub.com.
Thirsty Monk Takes Home First GABF Medal In Company History For Denver-Brewed Abby Blonde Ale
This is the brewery’s first GABF award and Abby Blonde’s second medal this year.
DENVER, CO— Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, was awarded a bronze medal for its Denver-brewed flagship Abby Blonde Ale in the Belgian and French-Style Ale category at the largest Great American Beer Festival® yet. This is the brewery’s first GABF award and Abby Blonde’s second medal this year.
Named after the brewery owner’s youngest child, Abby Blonde is a classic Belgian Style made with Franco-Belges Pilsner malt, wheat, and traditional sugar. Weighing in at 7.3% ABV, this slightly hazy, golden brew was fermented with Thirsty Monk’s in-house Belgian yeast strain, offering a plethora of flavors including banana and light clove.
When asked about how she felt about the win, young Abby announced that “It’s really hard to be famous. And Abby Blonde won a medal and Brother Noah didn’t.” Brother Noah is Thirsty Monk’s Belgian Chocolate Stout, named after Abby’s brother Noah. “I’ve got a unique form of sibling rivalry at my home,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “Abby Blonde is one of our best selling beers and has medaled twice in the past year, but Brother Noah has higher Untappd reviews. And both kids know where their beers stand.”
“I am so proud of Brian, Norm, and Chris, our lead brewing team, and the entire Monk staff for their constant representation of our beers to our patrons. We are so honored to be recognized for our Abby Blonde this year,” continues Bialik.
For more information about Thirsty Monk or Abby Blonde, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk currently operates three locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, and Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar; and Thirsty Monk Denver, CO and Thirsty Monk Portland, OR. The brewery family has been the recipient of several beer awards just this year, including a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Table Beer category in the Best of Craft Beer Awards and gold and silver medals at the US Open Beer Championship. Find the company online at monkpub.com.
Thirsty Monk Takes Home Two Medals From 2018 U.S. Open Beer Championship
This marks the first year Thirsty Monk has won a medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship.
ASHEVILLE, NC— Thirsty Monk was the proud recipient of two medals at 2018 U.S. Open Beer Championship, July 10 in Oxford, OH. The brewery’s Denver location took home Gold in the French/Belgian Ale Category for Abby Blonde, and the brewery’s Asheville location took home Silver for Screaming Monk Belgian IPA, in the American-Belgo-Style Ale Category.
This marks the first year Thirsty Monk has won a medal at the U.S. Open Beer Championship. The Gold medal-winning Abby Blonde and Silver medal Screaming Monk are both now available on draft and in growler fills at all Thirsty Monk locations in Asheville, Denver, and Portland, OR.
Named after the brewery owner’s youngest child, Abby Blonde is a classic Belgian Style made with Franco-Belges Pilsner malt, wheat, and traditional sugar. Weighing in at 7.3% ABV, this slightly hazy, golden brew was fermented with Thirsty Monk’s in-house Belgian yeast strain, offering a plethora of flavors including banana and light clove.
Screaming Monk is jam-packed with citrus and earthy hops, well-complimented by background Belgian fruity esters. Body and bitterness balance to give an experience aggressive enough for the average hop-head and complex enough for an appreciator of Belgian styles. Imagine a monk at the top of a quiet mountain taking sips of his beer and shouting, “I LOVE HOPS!”
If you have questions about Thirsty Monk’s recent U.S. Open Beer Championship win, or any other media inquiries about this family of Belgian-rooted breweries and pubs across the country, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk currently operates four locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar, and Brother Joe’s Coffee Pub; and Thirsty Monk Denver, CO and now Thirsty Monk Portland, OR. The brewery family has been the recent recipient of several beer awards, including a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Table Beer category in the Best of Craft Beer Awards earlier this year. Find the company online at monkpub.com.