October 3, 2011

Michigan Brewer Guild Members Snag 5 Medals at 2011 Great American Beer Festival
in Denver


(LANSING, Mich) – Michigan craft breweries were awarded five medals at the 30th Annual
Great American Beer Festival (GABF) Competition, held this past weekend in Denver, Colorado.

This year’s GABF competition attracted 167 beer judges from nine countries, with 3,930 entries
from 526 breweries in 48 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico (96 breweries were first-time
entrants this year). Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in
83 beer categories (with four new categories this year) establishing the best examples of each style
in the U.S.

Michigan Brewers Guild member received the following awards:

GOLD
Expedition Stout – Bell’s Brewery, Comstock
Category: Aged Beer

Mangalista Pig Porter – Right Brain Brewery, Traverse City
Category: Experimental Beer

SILVER
Blue Sunday – New Holland Brewing Company, Holland
Category: Belgian Style Lambic or Sour Ale

Cream Stout – Redwood Brewing Company, Flint
Category: Sweet Stout

BRONZE
Pin Up Blonde – Bastone Brewery, Royal Oak
Category: Belgian & French Style Ale

In addition to the individual beer medals presented, Short’s Brewing Company out of Bellaire was recognized for the “Best Booth” at this
year’s festival.

The Great American Beer Festival (www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com) invites industry professionals from around the world to sit
together in small groups and, without knowing the brand name, taste beers in each specified style category. The ultimate goal of the
judging panel is to identify the three beers that best represent each beer-style category as described and adopted by the GABF.

Five different three-hour judging sessions take place over the three-day period during the week of the festival, with judges assigned to
evaluate beers in their specific area of expertise. Breweries are awarded points, which are tabulated to arrive at the top three place medals
in each category. The judging panel awards gold, silver or bronze medals that are recognized around the world as symbols of brewing
excellence. These awards are among the most coveted in the industry and heralded by the winning brewers in their national advertising.
Medal distinctions are as follows:

GOLD: A world-class beer that accurately exemplifies the specified style, displaying the proper balance of taste, aroma and appearance.

SILVER: An excellent beer that may vary slightly from style parameters while maintaining close adherence to the style and displaying
excellent taste, aroma and appearance.

BRONZE: A fine example of the style that may vary slightly from style parameters and/or have minor deviations in taste, aroma or
appearance.

The Great American Beer Festival is the granddaddy of all U.S. beer festivals, offering the largest collection of U.S. beer ever assembled.
Sponsored by The Brewers Association, the festival features more than 1900 different beers from 400 breweries throughout the country.
A highlight of the festival is that many of the beers are served by their makers, allowing aficionados the chance to meet many of their
beer heroes.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133
million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its
claim as “The Great Beer State.”

The Michigan Brewers Guild exists to unify the Michigan brewing community; to increase sales of Michigan-brewed beer through
promotions, marketing, public awareness and consumer education; and to monitor and assure a healthy beer industry within the state.
For more information, including a list of Michigan microbreweries, log on to
www.michiganbrewersguild.org.

Source:
Michigan Brewers Guild press release
MidwestMicroBrews

MidwestMicroBrews, 118 S. Washington Street #402B, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301
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Michigan Brewers Guild