| DENVER — The 2007 Great American
Beer Festival, held annually in Denver, Colo., saw record crowds
and sold-out sessions over the three-day run of October 11–13.
Some 107 judges evaluated nearly 2,800 beers, resulting in one
of the most competitive GABF blind panel judgings in the 26-year
history of the event.
For brewers, the Great American Beer Festival is both their
Olympics and their national convention (or high school reunion).
Winning a GABF medal means a lot. It’s also the place
to find out what your counterparts are doing around the country.
For the rest of us, it’s a beery good time!
The festivities for the brewers kicked off Wednesday night
with a reception at Wynkoop Brewing Company. In years past,
the event took over the entire second-floor pool hall, a massive
warren of rooms filled with brewers, beer and food. This year
the turnout was so large that the brewery was closed for the
evening to accommodate the huge crowd.
After the Brewers Reception, the party headed to the unofficial
HQ for beer week in Denver: the fabled Falling Rock Tap House,
two blocks away. This was the scene of many brewery events
and the Alpha King judging — and it was the place to
meet and greet the nation's brewing elite.
| This year, sampling all of the new and unfamiliar breweries
took half the GABF! |
Just over 200 medals were awarded in 75 beer-style categories,
and the brewers and breweries getting the highest total points
were selected for the top awards. Mid-Size Brewing Company
and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year went to Matt
Brynildson and Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles,
Calif., for two golds, two silvers and a bronze medal!
Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of
the Year went to Tomme Arthur and Port Brewing and The Lost
Abbey, San Marcos, Calif. Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub
Brewer of the Year honors went to RedRock Brewing Company,
Salt Lake City, Utah, and brewer Kevin Templin. Small Brewpub
and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year was awarded to Travis
Zeilstra and Montana Brewing Company, Billings, Mont.
Vinnie and Natalie Cilurzo took three silver medals AND the
Alpha King award for Russian River Brewery in Santa Rosa,
Calif. As in recent years, American-style India pale ale drew
the largest number of entries, with 120 in total. This year
the competition saw explosive growth in the Fruit and Vegetable
Beer category, from 46 entries in 2006 to 94 entries in 2007.
The Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category also grew, from 58
entries in 2006 to 72 entries in 2007.
Bronze, silver and gold medals were awarded in each of the
75 style categories.
For a complete list of the winners, please visit www.beertown.org.
Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer
of the Year went to Matt Brynildson and the Firestone Walker
Brewing Company, Paso Robles, California, for two golds, two
silvers and a bronze medal.
Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of
the Year went to Tomme Arthur and Port Brewing & The Lost
Abbey, San Marcos, California.
Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year honors
went to Redrock Brewing Company, Salt Lake City, Utah and
brewer Kevin Templin.
Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub of the Year was awarded to
Travis Zelstra and Montana Brewing Company, Billings, Montana.
As in recent years, American-style India Pale Ale drew the
largest number of entries with 120 total. This year the competition
saw explosive growth in the Fruit and Vegetable Beer category
from 46 entries in 2006 to 94 entries in 2007. The Wood Barrel
Aged Beer category also grew, going from 58 entries in 2006
to 72 entries in 2007.
Below are additional photos of medal winners captured by
Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf at the ceremony.
Enjoy! |
