Connecticut Takes Home Three Medals From Great American Beer Festival
Connecticut Takes Home Three Medals From Great American Beer Festival - The annual Great American Beer Festival concluded on a high note in Denver this past Saturday, with three Connecticut breweries making their mark on the event. Two Roads Brewing Co.
Oct 01, 20235.5K Shares196.9K Views
The annual Great American Beer Festival concluded on a high note in Denver this past Saturday, with three Connecticut breweries making their mark on the event. Two Roads Brewing Co. clinched a coveted silver medal, while Counter Weight Brewing Co. and NewSylum Brewing Co. proudly brought home bronze.
Spanning three glorious days from September 21st to 23rd, this year's festival drew participants and enthusiasts from across the nation. The Brewers' Association, responsible for hosting the Great American Beer Festival, reported an impressive entry of 9,298 beers spanning 99 diverse categories. Brews from every corner of the United States, including Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, contributed to this spirited celebration of craft beer. The culmination of the festival occurred on the final day when a total of 303 medals were bestowed upon 263 deserving breweries.
Two Roads Brewing Co. achieved a significant feat by securing a silver medal in the non-alcoholic beer category, which featured an impressive roster of 70 contenders. Under festival guidelines, breweries were allowed to submit non-alcoholic beers in any style, provided they contained less than 0.5 percent alcohol. Judges at the festival assessed these brews based on how closely they emulated the intended style. It was explicitly stated that non-alcoholic malt beverages should not be penalized for lacking the complexity and balance of flavors found in their alcoholic counterparts.
In the Munich-style helles category, Counter Weight Brewing, based in Cheshire, achieved bronze recognition for its Ein Helles, an impressive achievement considering the fierce competition with 172 entries. Judges evaluated beers in this category based on criteria such as clarity, pronounced malt aroma and flavor, minimal hop influence, and the absence of undesirable characteristics like fruity or buttery notes. Ein Helles was originally created to commemorate Counter Weight's one-year anniversary and has since become a noteworthy addition to their rotating lineup.
Newtown's NewSylum Brewing Co. clinched a bronze medal in the smoke beer category, which boasted 73 contenders. This category encompassed a diverse range of styles, from pale and clear lagers to rich and dark porters. Judges focused on achieving a delicate balance between smokiness and the distinct characteristics of each style, a feat that NewSylum Brewing Co. evidently accomplished with finesse.
The Great American Beer Festival, established in 1982, celebrated its 37th competition this year. Over the course of nine days, an impressive panel of 250 judges meticulously assessed and evaluated the vast array of beers presented, a testament to the festival's commitment to showcasing the finest brews from across the country.
In addition to the award-winning breweries, two other Connecticut-based breweries, Athletic Brewing Company from Milford and Rhythm Brewing from New Haven, set up booths at the festival. Guests had the opportunity to sample their beers in a non-judged, walk-around tasting format, adding an extra layer of flavor to this renowned celebration of American craft beer.
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