(Photo above: (L-R) Justin Cooper, Ryan Duley, Brett Thomas, Michael Porter and Charlie Papazian after accepting the second medal at GABF | Photo by 2018 Brewers Association)
Fuzztail Honored for Brewing Excellence in American Wheat Ale with Yeast Cinder Beast Honored for Brewing Excellence in Imperial Red Ale
Sunriver Brewing Co. received silver and bronze medals at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. The top three winners in the competition’s 102 beer-style categories were announced September 22 at the Great American Beer Festival awards ceremony held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
Sunriver Brewing Co. was recognized in the American Wheat Ale With Yeast beer-style category for its Fuzztail Hefeweizen, an American style hefeweizen that’s light and easy drinking, yet compelling. They were also recognized in the Imperial Red Ale beer-style category for its Cinder Beast Imperial Red Ale, a full flavored ale features a depth of malt character, ranging from caramel and biscuit, to toffee and light roast. High hopping rates make for a firm bitterness and provide layers of earthy pine resin, herbal dankness and ripe tropical fruit. Sunriver Brewing Co. is a 15-barrel brewery located in Sunriver, Oregon that specializes in award winning beer and inviting pubs.
“I’m humbled to be part of the impressive performance by Sunriver Brewing’s Team,” said Brett Thomas, director of Brewing Operations at Sunriver Brewing Co. “Our brewers have an unwavering commitment to quality and consistency, and it shows across our products. The odds of us medaling three years in a row are absolutely staggering, unbelievable really. I honestly can’t think of a better way to support the independent craft beer industry.”
The 2018 GABF competition winners were selected by an international panel of 293 expert judges from 8,496 entries, received from 2,404 U.S. breweries, plus 101 Pro-Am and 49 Collaboration entries.
“The 32nd edition of the GABF competition yielded a remarkable turnout of the country’s most exemplary beers,” said Chris Swersey, competition manager, Great American Beer Festival. “I’m continuously impressed by contenders’ talent and passion and would like to extend congratulations to this year’s winners for their excellence in brewing.”
