DENVER, CO— The Empourium Brewing Company is beyond stoked to announce their recent win at the 2022 World Beer Cup® in the American-Style Lager category.
On the heels of a successful third anniversary celebration, this local brewery in Denver’s Berkeley neighborhood continues celebrating with their first win in this prestigious global beer competition. This year, an international panel of 226 beer judges from 28 countries selected the winners for the largest World Beer Cup competition to date with 10,542 entries from 2,493 breweries in 57 countries. The American-Style Lager category had 100 entries.
The Empourium’s Atari’s Lager is a 4.8% ABV, easy-drinking Pilsner that employs flaked and Jasmine rice for about a third of its grist. It’s a lightly hopped, crisp and delicate craft lager that finishes dry. Its namesake is a reference to the Wes Anderson movie Isle of Dogs and like all of The Empourium’s beers, named out of pop culture inspiration and connectability with their customers. “If you've been to the Berkeley neighborhood, you know that it often feels like there are just as many dogs then there are people walking around,” says Co-Founder and Head Brewer Greg Fetzer. “About anytime you walk into the taproom or patio you'll see multiple of our furry neighborhood friends hanging out and we love it. This name and label was for all those goofballs.”
Notably, this batch of Atari’s Lantern is the first one that The Empourium has served. “That'll obviously have to change,” Fetzer says, explaining that a fresh batch is scheduled into the brew schedule this week. Fans will have to wait patiently for it to tap in approximately eight weeks, though they’ll never rush a batch… ever, he adds.
“Lagers are incredibly subtle and delicate beers that require attention to detail and a whole hell of a lot of patience. You don't have loads of hops or fruit to hide behind,” Fetzer says. “As a brewer when you release a light lager, you're really putting yourself out there saying ‘hey, here is what I can do’.” He and his team huddled behind a laptop in the back of the brewhouse on a busy Thursday night to catch the World Beer Cup awards, and they couldn’t be prouder to produce a beer recognized at this level.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about The Empourium Brewing Co. or Atari’s Lantern Rice Lager.
ABOUT THE EMPOURIUM BREWING CO.
Located in the heart of Denver’s Berkeley Neighborhood, The Empourium is a gathering place for all— patrons and beer styles alike. Armed with true to style recipes and local pride, owners Greg and Sara Fetzer, Mike Cugini, and Justin Vallely focus their efforts to craft a warm, lively community hub centered around balanced, sessionable beers guaranteed to bring people together. Visit The Empourium at 4385 W. 42nd Avenue or online at theempourium.com