Bootstrap Brewing Wreak Havoc® Earned Even More Decoration at Prestigious Beer Awards Programs in 2024

Photo courtesy Brewers Association

LONGMONT, CO—  Bootstrap Brewing Company’s Wreak Havoc® Imperial Red Ale needs a bigger trophy case. Already one of Bootstrap’s most decorated beers, Wreak Havoc was honored with even more awards at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) and the 2024 Japan International Beer Cup.

Wreak Havoc is a smooth, massively hopped Imperial Red Ale that weighs in at 8.5% ABV. Seven different hop additions and the perfect mix of malts give this beer its unique flavor and aroma. 

Wreak Havoc took home the gold medal in the Strong Red Ale category that had 56 entries at the 44th annual GABF competition. Wreak Havoc’s GABF medal count is now three, having won silver in 2015 and bronze in 2016 in the Imperial Red Ale category. 

This famed beer also won a silver medal at the Japan International Beer Cup, which featured 1,423 entries from 370 breweries across 20 countries, judged by 90 international beer experts. 

“It’s always an honor when our brewing team receives well-deserved recognition for their recipes and brewing prowess,” says Bootstrap Brewing Co-Founder Leslie Kaczeus. “Especially when it’s for one of our time-honored flagships. We’ve been brewing this fan favorite since 2013, and we plan to keep wreaking havoc with it!” 

Wreak Havoc is available in canned 6-packs across Bootstrap’s international distribution footprint. Enjoy it on draft and purchase cans to-go at Bootstrap Brewing in Longmont year-round. 

Contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com to learn more about Bootstrap’s award-winning beers. 

ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING COMPANY

Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Boat Snack, Medal AF, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax, Wreak Havoc, and Pickle Me Up, Bootstrap Brewing is an independent, adventurous brewery in Colorado dedicated to producing a wide range of highly drinkable ales and lagers. More information can be found on our website at http://www.bootstrapbrewing.com.

Lone Tree Brewing Wins Third GABF Medal For Mexican Lager

Photo © Brewers Association

LONE TREE, CO—  Lone Tree Brewing is now a proud three-time recipient of medals in the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) American Light Lager category.

The first of these medals was a silver in 2015. Then in 2017, Lone Tree became the first independently owned craft brewery to win gold in the style category. This lager’s easy-drinking 5.3% ABV and accolades have grown its fan fame over the years, and helped to popularize the Mexican Lager style. As of this summer, customers can now purchase this flagship in a 12-pack in Colorado and Kansas. 

With 284 entries, Light Lager was the third highest entered category at this year’s competition and the most entered lager category. 

“This category at GABF has exploded in recent years!,” says Lone Tree Founder John Winter. “We are excited to continue to build on the momentum we are seeing with light lagers in the market, and so proud to serve this award winning lager to our patrons as a company flagship.” 

Media inquiring about Lone Tree Brewing Company can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans are sold across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants across its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Resolute Brewing Takes Home First GABF Medal For Execrator Doppelbock

COLORADO— Resolute Brewing Company was honored with its first Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) medal at the 2022 competition, a silver in the German-Style Doppelbock category for Execrator Doppelbock.

Brewing Doppelbock is a balancing act to produce full-bodied, dry-finishing lager that yields flavors of roast, toast, and dark fruit. “There is such a variety of lager styles, but behind the majority of them is an emphasis on drinkability,” says Head Brewer Kyle Larkin. “We love hops but we also love beers that we can have pint after pint, and that’s the space our lagers fill. Beyond that, they are challenging to brew and a good way to test ourselves as there is nothing to hide behind. Our dedication to dialing in our process and putting out the best beer we can paid off with our recent GABF win.” 

Resolute Brewing’s expression of this style was inspired by Tröegs Independent Brewing’s Troegenator. “This was one of my favorite beers during my tenure with Troegs and still continues to be. So my aim was to capture the same flavors but in my way. And the result couldn't have been better,” Larkin adds. "Execrator was forged upon a base of German Munich and Caramunich malts, along with floor-malted Pilsner malt from Leopold Bros. Malting in Denver. After a long hibernation, this strong lager has emerged rich and malty, oozing with notes of sweet caramel, toasted dark bread, and warm dates."

Among the total 9,904 commercial brewery entries in this year’s competition, the German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock category had 47 entries. Resolute is one of 18 brewing companies to receive their first GABF recognition in 2022. 

Taste Execrator Doppelbock at both of Resolute’s locations in Arvada and Centennial while supplies last. A batch of this lager is currently resting in Bourbon barrels, to be released in coming months.

Media inquiring about Resolute Brewing can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com. 

Find Resolute Brewing online at resolutebrewingco.com. 

Crystal Springs Brewing Co., Great Divide Brewing Co., and Lone Tree Brewing Co. Collaborate on Colorado Sweep Wheat Ale

Photo courtesy Nikki A Rae Photography

DENVER, CO— Last year three prized Colorado craft breweries made headlines when they swept the competitive American Fruit Beer category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival®. Their collaboration brew Colorado Sweep, an American Wheat Ale, is now available at each brewery’s tasting room. 

The hardware that the Crystal Springs Blood Orange Kölsch (gold), Great Divide Wild Raspberry Ale (silver), and Lone Tree Peach Pale Ale (bronze) took home last year was the perfect impetus for these Front Range breweries to join forces for a collaboration beer to celebrate and serve at the annual Colorado Brewers Guild Collaboration Fest. 

“This idea came about immediately after the GABF awards were announced in September 2021,” says Matt Sandy, Great Divide’s Marketing Manager. The winners were Crystal Springs Blood Orange Kölsch (gold), Great Divide Wild Raspberry Ale (silver), and Lone Tree Peach Pale Ale (bronze). “Because Colorado swept the American Fruited Ale category, we thought it would be fun to collaborate with the other breweries and keyed in on Collaboration Fest as being the perfect arena to celebrate this group effort. Not only has the fest become one of the country’s premier showcases for unique collaborations, it also fell around the same time we were planning on releasing our winning beer, Wild Raspberry Ale, in 6-packs.” 

Crystal Springs, Great Divide, and Lone Tree gathered last month to craft an American Wheat Ale with both white and flaked Wheat, and Hallertau Magnum, Saaz, Cascade, and Lemondrop hops to create complexity of body, and refreshing, citrus and fruit-forward flavors. The breweries then added blood orange, raspberry, and peach to represent the fruits in all three of the award winners. 

“The combination of fruits contributed by each brewery should create a fun and refreshing beer that we are all excited to share with the public at Collaboration Fest,” says Lone Tree Sales & Marketing Director Dennis Stack.  

Festival-goers at Collaboration Fest should be on the lookout for this inspired fruit beer before it’s gone. Catch Colorado Sweep on tap at each brewery’s respective locations while supplies last. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Colorado Sweep. 

ABOUT CRYSTAL SPRINGS BREWING CO.

Crystal Springs Brewing Company is dedicated to brewing craft beer that utilizes the potential of hops, malt, yeast, and adjuncts to make the world a happier and better place. The brewery was started in the owners garage in 2010 and opened in Louisville, CO in 2013 where we have expanded our production to serve the Front Range of Colorado. Visit Crystal Springs online at crystalspringsbrewing.com.

ABOUT GREAT DIVIDE BREWING CO. 

Founded in 1994, Great Divide Brewing Company is Denver’s oldest and largest packaging brewery and one of the most decorated breweries in America, recognized for brewing some of the globe’s most balanced yet assertive and flavorful beers. These beers have landed an impressive amount of acclaim, earning 18 Great American Beer Festival® medals, five World Beer Cup® awards and 14 spots on Beer Advocate's "Top Rated Beers: Colorado.” Here at Great Divide, Bold Character isn’t just a catchphrase. It’s the philosophy behind what we brew, how we think and what we believe. For more information visit greatdivide.com.      

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING CO. 

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado in Denver’s South Metro area in 2011, and has remained a local staple for a decade. Lone Tree creates community around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers that are sold in cans and on draft across Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Bootstrap Brewing Stick’s Pale Ale Earns Another Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival

Photo © Brewers Association

LONGMONT, CO— Bootstrap Brewing’s Stick's Pale Ale just won a gold medal in the American-Style Pale Ale category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival®, among 150 other competitors for that medal.

Considered to be the Oscars of the American brewing industry, GABF® scores beers based on how well they represent each beer-style category, with winners landing gold, silver, and bronze placements if they meet or exceed those standards.

A GABF veteran, Stick’s won gold in 2016 in the same category. and has won numerous other medals at competitions around the country for it’s smooth, delicious flavor profile. A true American Pale Ale, Stick’s is citrusy and dry hopped with Mosaic hops for a bright and bitter finish that is categorically delicious.

This win comes on the heels of several other achievements for Bootstrap, including multiple medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championship, the USA Beer Ratings, and the U.S. Beer Tasting Championship.

“This was such an awesome moment for the entire Bootstrap team,” explains owner/brewer Steve Kaczeus. “It’s hard enough to win one gold medal in a popular GABF beer category let alone 2 gold medals. In developing the recipe, I wanted to make sure Stick’s had great flavor and awesome aroma using Galaxy and Mosaic hops. 

“It took me several iterations but it obviously got there. It’s my favorite porch pounder,” Kaczeus added. 

For more information about Bootstrap Brewing’s Stick's Pale Ale, contact Leslie Kaczeus at leslie@bootstrapbrewing.com.

ABOUT BOOTSTRAP BREWING COMPANY

Home to best-selling and award-winning craft beers such as Insane Rush, Lush Puppy, Stick’s Pale Ale, Chillax, and Wreak Havoc, Bootstrap Brewing is an independent, adventurous brewery in Colorado dedicated to producing a wide range of ales and lagers. More information can be found on our website at bootstrapbrewing.com. 

Lone Tree Brewing Peach Pale Ale Earns Hardware at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival

LONE TREE, CO— Over the weekend, Lone Tree Brewing was honored with the bronze medal in the American Fruit Beer category at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival® for their Peach Pale Ale.

As the penultimate brewing competition in the United States, GABF® compares submissions to it’s category specific parameters, awarding a possible three medals for bronze, silver, and gold based on how well that year’s submissions match up.

In a category of 133 entries, Peach Pale Ale’s subtle fruit-forward flavor stood out. Made from real ripened peaches paired with a refreshing citrus aroma, this beer is a deep golden color with a medium body, approachable bitterness, and a finishing stone fruit flavor.

"It's exciting to see one of our longest running beers get this kind of recognition," says Dennis Stack, Lone Tree’s Sales & Marketing Director. "True to our style of brewing, the base pale ale is a solid brew on its own but we like to put a subtle twist on it with the addition of peach."

Long time creators of fruit beer, Lone Tree always uses real fruit flavor that adds clean, bright notes to any style and earns awards ranging from GABF to state based competitions.

For more information about Lone Tree Brewing’s Peach Pale Ale, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING CO. 

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery to open in Lone Tree, Colorado in Denver’s South Metro area in 2011. Lone Tree creates community around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers that are sold in cans and on draft across the state of Colorado, and in select locations in Kansas. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Westbound and Down Brewing Co. Wins Two Silver Medals; Named Midsize Brewpub of the Year at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival

Photo © 2019, Brewers Association

IDAHO SPRINGS, CO— Westbound and Down Brewing Co. was awarded two silver medals and the Midsize Brewpub of the Year recognition at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) competition, the 33rd edition of the world’s largest commercial beer competition.

Westbound and Down Brewing Co. was recognized in the Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer category for its Double Barrel Louie, a Barrel-Aged 11.5% ABV English Barleywine named after a rescue dog in Head Beer Drinker Jake Garder’s family, that was aged in Port-finished rye barrels and  finished in Breckenridge Bourbon Barrels on whiskey-soaked peaches.

Westbound and Down Brewing Co. was also recognized in the Imperial India Pale Ale category for 9.3% ABV Westbound Double IPA, a Double IPA with ludicrous amounts of  Galaxy, Mosaic, Enigma and Cryo Mosaic hops that pack big aromas of tangerine, blueberries, and papaya.. Westbound Double IPA is balanced with a sweet biscuit malt profile, with a clean dry finish. 

“We are proud of the beers our team makes and it is rewarding to see our beers recognized, but it won’t change our process and desire to keep getting better,” says Gardner.

GABF, presented by the Brewers Association, recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded on October 5 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, in 107 beer categories covering 174 different beer styles (including all subcategories), establishing the best examples of each style in the country. This year 9,497 entries were submitted to the general competition, along with 113 Pro-Am and 70 Collaboration entries. The beer was made by 2,295 breweries from across the nation, with entries from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Judging took place over the course of three days, with an international panel of 322 judges from 18 countries. 

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with inquiries about this announcement. For more GABF competition information, including the 2019 winners list and photos, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com. 

ABOUT WESTBOUND & DOWN BREWING COMPANY

Westbound and Down is a small brewpub located in Idaho Springs, CO that prides itself in brewing well-executed beers in a wide array of beer styles to pair with great food. Brewed with a bit of Rocky Mountain air and served with a side of fresh powder, Westbound and Down’s beers have been awarded multiple accolades since their opening in 2015. Find this destination brewpub online at westboundanddown.com.

Comrade Brewing Named 2019 Small Brewing Company of the Year; Earns Two Gold GABF Medals for IPA Categories

DENVER, CO— Comrade Brewing was named 2019 Small Brewing Company of the Year by the Brewers Association at the 33rd Great American Beer Festival® awards ceremony at the Colorado Convention Center after receiving gold medals for two of its India Pale Ales. These are the fourth and fifth medals the brewery has won since opening in 2014. 

Superpower IPA  was awarded a gold medal in the American-Style Strong Pale Ale category, which had 131 entries. Superpower IPA is an American IPA with loads of Pacific Northwest hops that lend huge pine and grapefruit hop aroma and citrus flavors. Its bitterness is balanced with a crisp, light malt character and is available year-round at the Comrade Brewing tasting room. Just a few days prior, the Denver Westword called it one of the most important beers in Colorado history. 

More Dodge Less RAM, a triple-dry hopped sister of Superpower IPA, took gold in the second most-entered category, American-Style India Pale Ale, which had 342 entries. More Dodge Less RAM was the first beer that Comrade brewed after a Dodge Ram plowed into the brewery three years ago. 

“We still can’t believe it” said Chairman and Founder David Lin. “It’s an incredible honor to take home these awards with so many other great breweries and proud of our brewmaster Marks Lanham and brewer Rio Urioste."

The 2019 GABF® competition winners were selected by an international panel of 322 expert judges from 9,497 entries, received from 2,295 U.S. breweries, plus 113 Pro-Am and 70 Collaboration entries.

For more information about Comrade Brewing or its internationally recognized IPA brewing prowess, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. For more information about the 2019 Great American Beer Festival competition and its winners, visit greatamericanbeerfestival.com.

ABOUT COMRADE BREWING

Launched in 2014 by David Lin and Marks Lanham, Comrade Brewing is often noted as one of Denver and Colorado’s masters of the India Pale Ale style, home of the flagship Superpower IPA. Comrade also brews the award-winning Yellow Fever Chile Beer, the Koffee Kream Extra Coffee Milk Stout, and the REDCON Irish-Style Red Ale year-round, as well an array of rotating seasonals and lots of collaboration beers with fellow brewing companies. Comrade’s trophy case now sports 5 medals from the Great American Beer Festival® and a 2016 World Beer Cup® gold award, among others. Find the brewery online at comradebrewing.com.

Brink Brewing Named 2019 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year, Takes Home Two GABF Gold Medals

Photo © 2019, Brewers Association

CINCINNATI, OH— Brink Brewing was named 2019 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year by the Brewers Association today at the 33rd annual Great American Beer Festival® awards ceremony after receiving gold medals for two of its most decorated beers in the competition. 

Hold the Reins was awarded gold in the English-style Mild Ale category that had 40 entries. This classic “session ale” is full flavored with moderate sweetness, and a bit nutty with a touch of caramel. Chocolate and roast notes give way to a dry finish. This beer, which was originally one of Brink Brewing Head Brewer Kelly Montgomery’s home brew recipes, was awarded a gold medal in 2017 and a silver in 2018 in the same category. “I have been tweaking that recipe for the last decade as new and better ingredients have become available,” he says. “It was always the house beer on tap.” 

Moozie, a rich Milk Stout, was awarded gold in the Sweet or Cream Stout category that had 67 entries. Like a chocolate milkshake without the straw, it features chocolate and coffee notes and is almost chewy thanks to the addition of lactose and flaked oats. Moozie is a family namesake, named after Molly (Brink owners John and Kelly's sister). Their Uncle Jack— whose memory sparked their interest in the craft beer world and inspired the conception of Brink— always referred to her as Moozie. “We wanted to pay homage to both and a Milk Stout seemed fitting (moo!). It also helps that it's one of Molly's favorite styles. The first medal we received a few months after opening was for Moozie, and now she is our most decorated beer with 7 awards,” Montgomery says. 

Moozie also boasts a bronze medal from the 2018 World Beer Cup®, silver at the inaugural Ohio Craft Brewers Cup earlier this year, and a gold medal from the 2018 Great American Beer Festival. 

Brink Brewing is the first brewing company in Great American Beer Festival history to be named Very Small Brewing Company two years back to back. This honor is a huge accomplishment for the brewery, which will celebrate its third anniversary early in 2020. "We went into this year thinking we could never top last year's wins, so the magnitude of exceeding it this year is still sinking in!,” says Brink co-owner John McGarry. “We could not be more proud than to be part of elevating the Ohio beer scene into the top 5 in the US this year based on medals."

If you’d like more information about Brink Brewing or its award-winning beers, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT BRINK BREWING

Brink Brewing Co is craft brewery in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati that serves some of Ohio’s most decorated beers. Since Brink’s opening in 2017, the brewing team has accumulated an impressive 22 awards and a World Beer Cup plaque. Brink was honored at the Great American Beer Festival® as Very Small Brewing Company of the Year both in 2018 and 2019. For more information visit brinkbrewing.com.

Karl Strauss Brewing Company Bottles Renowned Queen of Tarts Dark Sour Ale for the First Time

SAN DIEGO, CA— The queen has returned… this time in bottles! Karl Strauss Brewing Company is re-releasing its highly coveted Barrel Aged Queen of Tarts Dark Sour Ale beginning on September 12th for a limited time. It will be available on draft, and for the first time ever it will also be packaged in 500 mL bottles.

“We are really proud to package Queen of Tarts. People have been asking for this for a long time, and we’re thrilled to be able to meet the demand for this fan-favorite sour ale. Don’t wait around, because it’ll go fast!” says Matt Johnson, Brewmaster of Brewery Operations.

Queen of Tarts is one of the most anticipated small batch beer releases of the year for Karl Strauss. This Great American Beer Festival® award winner, which received a gold medal in the American-Style Sour Ale category, is aged on Michigan-grown tart cherries in first generation red wine barrels. Flavors of French oak, tart cherry, and lightly roasted malts are backed by a lively finish. 

“Crack open a fresh bottle and you’ll notice a ton of cherry aroma up front, with a slight oaky flavor and a clean, lactic sourness. But these bottles will also cellar really nicely. Expect that cherry flavor to become a little more subdued and the lactic sourness to round out. I am really looking forward to trying this batch of Queen again in a few years!” says Sean Albrecht, Head Brewer.

Queen of Tarts will be available on draft and in 500mL bottles beginning on September 12th for a limited time at Karl Strauss’ Tasting Room and Brewpubs. 

For more information on Queen of Tarts, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.

Brink Brewing Celebrates Award-winning Second Year in Business

CINCINNATI, OH— Brink Brewing, 2018 Great American® Beer Festival Very Small Brewery and Brewer of the Year, is celebrating two years in business following a notable year of awards and accolades. Brink will be celebrating their second anniversary starting on February 15 with an exclusive bottle release of their 2019 Anniversary Blend followed by a weekend of celebrations.

This past year, Brink Brewing produced 650 BBL —a 45 percent increase from 2017 which included 97 batches and 50 new recipes. With these beers Brink Brewing won a multitude of awards ranging in scale from local to international competitions.

Awards won by Brink Brewing during their second year in business include a 2018 World Beer Cup bronze medal (Milk Stout); a gold medal (Sweet Stout), silver medal (English-Style Mild Ale), Very Small Brewery of the Year, and Very Small Brewer of the Year at  The Great American Beer Festival®; gold (England / Hazy IPA), silver (Milk Stout), bronze (English Mild), and best Southwest Brewery at the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup; gold (Brown Ale), gold (English Mild), gold (Scottish Ale), and 2nd Place Overall Nation Champions at the US Open Beer Championship.

For their Anniversary weekend, February 15-17, Brink Brewing will be releasing a coveted lineup of special releases including their 2019 Anniversary Blend bottle release beginning at 3pm on Friday, February 15.

This special second anniversary blend was carefully crafted between their First Anniversary Blend (38.5%), 2017 Barrel Aged Kelly’s Candy Barley Wine (32%),  2018 Armored Heart Russian Imperial Stout (13%), 2017 Barrel Aged Duncan Clan Stout (10%), and 2018 Night Cap Holiday Porter (6.5%) along with Deeper Roots Losantiville cold steeped coffee and copious amounts of vanilla beans.

Brink will also be tapping the following draft-only releases throughout the weekend:

Friday, February 15
Business Meeting Oatmeal Stout with Raspberry and Vanilla Beans
Maple Bacon Moozie Milk Stout
2017 Barrel Aged Bulldog Ole Ale
Father G's Bees Brown Ale with Honey and Maple Syrup
Graham cracker Berlin Wall Berliner Weisse

Saturday, February 16
2017 Barrel Aged Kelly's Candy Barley Wine
Father G's Bees Honey Brown Ale with Maple and Blueberry
Coffee Doughnut Debbie Jean Blonde
Mint Oreo Moozie Milk Stout
Business Meeting Oatmeal Stout with Raspberry and Vanilla

Sunday, February 17
Barrel Aged Duncan Clan Scottish Ale
Toasted Coconut King Cake
Quadruple Dry-hopped JBoy
Barrel Aged Barrel Thieves and Hired Guns with extra EXTRA vanilla
Business Meeting Oatmeal Stout with Raspberry and Vanilla
Father G's Bees Brown Ale with Maple Syrup and Honey

For more information on Brink Brewing and the success of their second year in business, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT BRINK BREWING

Brink Brewing Co is neighborhood Craft Brewery in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati. Providing quality beers in a welcoming, comfortable taproom. In less than two year a of operation they have accumulated an impressive amount of awards that now include three medals at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival®, a Bronze at the 2018 World Beer Cup®, seven U.S. Open Beer Competition medals, three Ohio Craft Brewer Cup awards, and two Denver International Beer Competition awards. For more information visit brinkbrewing.com.

Comrade Brewing Company Celebrates with Bronze Medal from 2018 Great American Beer Festival

DENVER, CO— Comrade Brewing, an internationally acclaimed brewery, collected a bronze medal for DEFCON Red Irish-Style Red Ale at the 32nd Great American Beer Festival® (GABF®) earning their third medal at the competition since 2014. The top three winners in the 102 beer-style categories were announced at an awards ceremony held September 22 at the Colorado Convention Center.

The award winning Irish-Style Red Ale underwent a name change in 2015 to REDCON. The beer is brewed with a blend of English crystal and chocolate malt and hopped with East Kent Goldings and presents a llight caramel sweetness, fruity esters and just a hint of chocolate with a light citrus nose. The beer is available year-round on draft and in Crowlers® and growlers to-go.

“We get a lot of recognition for our hoppy ales,” said chairman and founder David Lin. “We’re incredibly proud to bring home another medal for a brew with a lot less hops. There are thousands of exceptional beers in this year’s competition and this win is a testament to the quality, talent and consistency of our brewmaster, Marks Lanham and brewer, Mike Durland."

The 2018 GABF competition winners were selected by an international panel of 293 industry professionals judging from 8,496 entries submitted by 2,404 U.S. breweries along with 101 Pro-Am and 49 collaboration entries.

For more details on the GABF competition, including the 2018 winners list and photos, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.

For more information about Comrade Brewing and their award winning Irish-Red Ale, DEFCON, email contact@comradebrewing.com.

ABOUT COMRADE BREWING

Launched in 2014 by David Lin and Marks Lanham, Comrade Brewing is often noted as one of Denver and Colorado’s masters of the India Pale Ale style and home of the flagship Superpower IPA. Comrade also brews the World Beer Cup® winning Yellow Fever Chile Beer, the Koffee Kream Extra Coffee Milk Stout, and the REDCON Irish-Style Red Ale year-round as well an array of rotating seasonals and lots of collaboration beers with fellow brewing companies. Comrade’s trophy case now sports silver medals from the 2014 and 2015 Great American Beer Festival®, a 2016 World Beer Cup gold award, and a bronze medal from the 2018 Great American Beer Festival. Find the brewery online at www.comradebrewing.com.

Last Minute Liquor Store Luck Leads to Ska GABF Gold

DURANGO, CO— Over the weekend, OG craft lager brewery Ska Brewing was awarded a gold medal for its Oktoberfest in the Vienna-Style Lager category at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival, but not without a little last-minute drama.

Ska listed their newly released Oktoberfest when filling out the original festival entry form, but were caught off-guard when it came time to ship the competition beers and they had none.  “The beer was so popular that we sold through it before we had a chance to hold any back to ship,” said Kristen Muraro, Sales and Marketing Director at Ska. “I had to run to the liquor store to buy one of the last 6-packs in Durango to ship to the competition.”

Ska’s Oktoberfest is crafted with 100 percent German-sourced Munich and Vienna malts that impart nutty, bready, toasty flavors, all balanced by Noble hops.  It finishes clean and crisp. Ska are proud producers of Colorado’s first craft lager in a can, Mexican Logger, and as Muraro notes, the Oktoberfest was a natural addition to Ska’s portfolio; “this classic style really took hold in the Americas when German-speaking immigrants brought their recipes and brewing practices to Mexico in the mid-19th century.”

Ska Oktoberfest is still available while supplies last on tap at the brewery’s World Headquarters in Durango, and will return again for the fall season in 2019.

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com for more information about Ska Brewing or their new, award-winning Oktoberfest craft lager.

ABOUT SKA BREWING

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and produces more than a dozen award-winning beers fueled with Ska music, and lots of it. Pioneers in the canned craft beer movement, Ska Brewing is known for an array of styles in 12 oz cans that include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi, Pink Vapor Stew, and Rue B. Soho. For information (a lot of it), more music, and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com.

Wit’s End Brewing Takes Home Gold Medal from GABF As First StrangeWit Win

DENVER, CO— Over the weekend, Wit’s End Brewing Company was the proud recipient of a gold medal for Jean-Claude Van Blond in the Belgian-Style Blonde Ale or Pale Ale category of the 2018 Great American Beer Festival®.

Jean-Claude Van Blond is a 6.8% ABV Belgian-style Blonde Ale that weighs in stronger than typical Blonde Ales. It is brewed with mostly pilsner malts and a touch of oats, with late and generous Tettnang hopping. “The result is a spicy fruity beer that is very approachable and dry, but still has an underlying deep complexity for those of us who like to dissect flavors and swirl,” says Wit’s End Brewing Founder Scott Witsoe.

In 2014, Jean-Claude Van Blond won the gold medal in the Belgian-Style Blonde Ale or Pale Ale category of GABF®, and bronze for the same category at the World Beer Cup® that took place in Denver the same year.

Late in 2017, Wit’s End moved its production to the brewhouse at Strange Craft Beer Company on Zuni Street where the two brands now share the same Head Brewer, Tyler Bies. “I’m wondering what craft beer in Colorado would have lost if Scotty Witsoe and I hadn’t gotten creative and come up with our cohabitation alternative,” says Strange Craft Founder Tim Myers. “This win a great testament to Tyler’s brewing prowess and our capable brewhouse, demonstrating that we can replicate the same award-winning recipe time after time. It starts a new chapter in our unique craft brewing story.”

For more information about Wit’s End Brewing Company or its cohabitation at Strange Craft, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT WIT’S END BREWING COMPANY

At the dawn of the fourth wave of craft beer, Scott Witsoe launched Wit’s End in 2011 on a one barrel brew house. After 6 years in business, a Great American Beer Festival®  gold medal (the 2018 win mark’s Wit’s End’s second GABF accolade), a World Beer Cup® bronze medal, and many other amazing experiences, Scott decided it was time to evolve his business. In late 2017, Wit’s End Brewing Company moved its brewing operations to Strange Craft Beer Company where Tyler Bies is now head brewer of both brewing companies. Wit’s End will remain an artisanal Denver brand that continues to be fueled by dreams and inspired by the limitless potential of craft beer… join Wit’s End on the journey! witsendbrewing.com.

What Lone Tree Brewing Company's GABF Win Means For Craft

Photos by Colin Bridge, Words by Brody Leonard

Since its genesis in 1987, the Great American Beer Festival’s “American-Style Lager” category has been dominated by the goliaths of the beer industry. Pabst Blue Ribbon, Coors Banquet and other such frat party fodder took home the gold year after year. That is until 2017, when the little guys brought out the big guns. This year, Lone Tree Brewing Co. took gold with one well-placed missile: their Mexican Lager.

Straight out of Lone Tree, CO, this small brewery is serving up some game-changing beers. Formerly known as their Summer Siesta Mexican Lager, this brew’s medal marks the first time an independently owned brewery has come out on top in this style category. With movements such as Take Back Craft gaining momentum, this is big news in the brewing community.

That said, it’s not the first time a craft brewery has come close to dethroning the likes of Pabst, Coors and Miller. Lone Tree’s Mexican Lager (under its previous name) earned a silver medal at GABF 2015.

North Carolina-based Sycamore Brewing has also had success in this style category. Their Sun Grown Fresh Craft Lager earned bronze this year, as did their Southern Girl Lager in 2015. In fact, their 2015 bronze medal prompted them to collaborate with Lone Tree Brewing on an Imperial Pale Lager. The result, Breakthrough IPL, was a celebration of the two breweries almost unseating Pabst that year.

This year, almost is no longer. While Lone Tree’s head brewer, Josh West, humbly attributes the win to a “lucky alignment of the judges’ tastes that day,” happenstance seems unlikely.  

Crisp and crushable, Mexican Lagers have been a trending style in the craft beer world. There is no specific Mexican Lager category at GABF— yet— and accordingly, this style is judged under the umbrella of American-Style Lager.

This broad category attracted 75 entries this year. Lone Tree’s victory amounts to more than the gustatory whims of a panel of beer-drinking experts.

After all, the judging process at GABF is an intensive process. Without knowing the beer’s brand or brewery, judges sit down and taste brews to determine three world-class beers in each category. The GABF Awards Philosophy states that a beer must display “the proper balance of taste, aroma and appearance” in order to be awarded a gold medal.

According to the U.S. Brewers Association, an exemplary American-Style Lager should boast a straw or golden hue. Malt sweetness should be very low, as should hop aroma and overall bitterness. In short, “American Lagers [should be] very clean and crisp, and aggressively carbonated.”

Given GABF’s rigorous judging process and the competition-heavy category, Mexican Lager’s performance stands as a testament to the passion and prowess of Josh West and the rest of Lone Tree’s team.

“We were one medal away from winning Small Brewery of the Year,” remarked West. “This year’s medals are immensely motivating — we’re very excited to see what we can do at next year’s Great American Beer Festival.”

Karl Strauss Wins Gold At The Great American Beer Festival

Photo © 2017 Jason E. Kaplan

SAN DIEGO, CA — Karl Strauss Brewing Company added more bling to their trophy case with a gold medal at this year’s Great American Beer Festival (“GABF”), the premier U.S. beer festival and competition. 

The company won gold in the Honey Beer category for their Orange Blossom Common. The beer is a small batch release from their satellite brewery in Carlsbad.

“We are delighted to win again at this year’s GABF. The beer that won is a unique California Common Ale brewed with Orange Blossom Honey. Props to our brewer Mickail Murawski for this medal-winning recipe. We were also stoked to see many of our independent, San Diego brewery friends also taking home medals!” says Matt Johnson, Brewmaster, Karl Strauss Brewing Company.

To learn more about Karl Strauss Brewing Company’s award-winning prowess visit www.karlstrauss.com.

 About Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Wreck Alley Imperial Stout. The brewery has won 105 medals since 2009 and was recently honored with the 2016 “Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year” award at the Great American Beer Festival. For more information visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.

Media Contact

Kiersten Winant— kiersten.winant@karlstrauss.com;  619.396.5105

Lone Tree Brewing Wins Two Great American Beer Festival Medals for Mexican Lager and Hop Zombie IPA

Photos by Colin Bridge

LONE TREE, CO — Lone Tree Brewing Company was awarded a gold medal for its Mexican Lager and a silver medal for its Hop Zombie IPA at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival® in the American Style Lager or Light Lager category and the Imperial Red Ale categories, respectively.  

When Lone Tree’s Mexican Lager, formerly known as Summer Siesta, won a silver medal in the American Style Lager category in 2015, Lone Tree became the first independently owned craft brewery to win in the style category (followed closely by Sycamore Brewing who won a bronze medal in the category). “Our gold medal is a monumental achievement. It speaks to our quality, consistency and flavor,” says Lone Tree Head Brewer Josh West. 

Mexican Lager is distributed year-round in canned 6-packs across Colorado and in select locations in Kansas and Nebraska. 

The cult-followed Hop Zombie IPA comes out just once each year, during which time it has only been available on-draft and in limited bombers out of the brewery’s tasting room in Lone Tree, Colorado.

“These medals express to the beer world that we are relevant, passionate and committed to producing the highest quality craft beer possible,” adds West. 

“The Mexican Lager was our way to prove to the beer consumer that sometimes less is more,” says Lone Tree Sales Director Bridgette Geiger. “The Hop Zombie was our way of saying if you take quality ingredients and craft them just right— and have a little fun in the process— good things happen.” 

For more information about the winning beers or with any other media inquiries about Lone Tree Brewing Co., contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com. 

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Hop Zombie IPA Returns To Lone Tree

Photo by Colin Bridge

LONE TREE, CO — Hop Zombie Day is creepin’ on up. On Saturday, September 30 Lone Tree Brewing Company will release bombers of Hop Zombie Imperial Red IPA and serve the beer on draft. Hop Zombie typically sells out in one day.

Hop Zombie is Lone Tree Brewing’s most anticipated release of the year. It’s a complex, bold IPA that’s deep red in color, with rich malt character balanced by huge hop flavor and aroma created by eight different hops. Hop Zombie is a beer brewed to bring you back from the grave, weighing in at 8.9 percent ABV and 90 IBUs. A very limited number of bombers will be available at the brewery only, and bottles cannot be reserved in advance. 

Brewery guests who purchase a case, or 12 bombers, of Hop Zombie will be entered into a raffle to win two tickets to the Saturday afternoon session of the Great American Beer Festival®.

For more information about this famed beer or its history, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado, as well as Kansas and Nebraska. Its draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.