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.

Thirsty Monk Takes Home First GABF Medal In Company History For Denver-Brewed Abby Blonde Ale

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.

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.

Karl Strauss Wins Sixth Gold Medal at 2018 Great American Beer Festival

Karl Strauss Brewing Company won another gold medal at last weekend’s Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) competition.

This year, GABF judges blind tasted over 8,800 different beers from 2,450 American breweries.

KARL won gold in the English-Style Summer Ale category for Liquid A/C. The beer was brewed at their satellite brewery in La Jolla. Liquid A/C also won bronze at GABF in 2016.

“We are honored to have won gold at this year’s GABF!  This medal is a testament to the talents of our brewing team.  Special shout out to our Head Brewer Lyndon Walker for this medal winning recipe.” says Matt Johnson, Brewmaster - Karl Strauss Brewing Company.

KARL has now won 13 medals at GABF since they started competing in 2009.  Liquid A/C is KARL’s sixth GABF gold medal. The brewery has also won GABF golds for Red Trolley, Windansea Wheat, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour and Honey Common.

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 110 medals since 2009 and was recently honored with the “Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year” award at the Great American Beer Festival in 2016.

Media Contact:

Mark Weslar, mark.weslar@karlstrauss.com

Brink Brewing Recognized as 2018 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year; Wins Two GABF Medals

Photo © 2018 Brewers Association

CINCINNATI, OH— Over the weekend, Brink Brewing Company was named the 2018 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year by the Brewers Association at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival® after winning gold and silver medals for Moozie Milk Stout and Hold The Reins English Mild, respectively.

A great deal of effort goes into winning one let alone two GABF® medals, but rarely does that effort include a hospital stay. Kelly Montgomery, named Very Small Brewer of The Year, was in the hospital with a lung infection the weeks leading up to the dates scheduled to brew the batches submitted to this year’s competition. “We were honestly worried about making the deadline,” says Brink Brewing Co-Owner Sarah McGarry. “When he was released from the hospital Kelly jokingly said Eh, I think I’ve got just enough energy to squeeze out very small brewery of the year… “So, you can only imagine how stunned we were that it actually happened!”

Moozie is a rich Milk Stout. 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. This beer also boasts a bronze medal from the 2018 World Beer Cup®, silver at the inaugural Ohio Craft Brewers Cup earlier this year, a bronze from the 2017 Denver International Beer Competition and a gold medal from the 2017 U.S. Open Beer Championship after only being open for four months (one of the youngest breweries to place that year).

Hold the Reins is an English Mild, a classic “Session Ale” while still full flavored. Moderate sweetness, a bit nutty with a touch of caramel. Chocolate and roast notes give way to a dry finish. Last year Brink Brewing was awarded a gold medal for Hold The Reins in the same English Mild Ale category.

“Three GABF medals and Very Small Brewery of the Year in just 19 months of operation is even more than we ever could have hoped for, but tells us we are on the right track,” McGarry adds.

Moozie and Hold The Reins are available year-round on draft at Brink Brewing’s tasting room and at select craft-centric draft accounts in Cincinnati.

Contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com for media inquiries about Brink Brewing.

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.

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.

(Rad)Craft Night at Strange Craft, Monday September 17

RadCraft is taking over Monday night Craft Night at Strange Craft to kick off the 2018 Great American Beer Festival!

Colorado beer author Ed Sealover will join us to sign copies of his book Colorado Excursions with History, Hikes and Hops. From 6-6:15, 21+ guests can enjoy Strange Craft samples while Ed talks shop.

Guests can also enjoy a showcase local wood designer and manufacturer Spooky Bat Designs. Spooky Bat makes custom tap handles, coasters, wooden magnets, wooden bookmarks, and so much more.

The first 20 guests to arrive at this event get a free pretzel necklace-making kit to ready themselves for the Great American Beer Festival!