GABF Awards 2007
Rick Mazzola - October 18, 2007
At the Great American Beer Festival this year, Colorado breweries amassed an impressive collection of medals. 29 awards were given to beers crafted in the Centennial state, including 9 laden in gold. Out of the approximately 103 breweries in Colorado, 66 served beer at the festival and 21 won awards. Their were 75 catagories, 473 competing breweries, 107 judges from around the world, and 2793 beers judged.
The canvernous hall at the convention center in Denver served as a temporary taphouse for many great beers from around the nation, but those awarded medals did something to impress the judges sensitive palettes, and following the awards ceremony caused lines and eventual shortages to occur at the winners booths. Passing joyfully across the stage, most of the recipients looked thrilled that their brews passed the rigorous rounds of taste analysis and received recongnition in the face of stiff competition from their contemporaries. Some of the beers were past winners, such as Bristol's Laughing Lab, and Flying Dog's Old Scratch, whereas others passed through the ranks for the first time.
The judging took place over a three-day period, beginning on October 10th and ending on Friday, October 12th. Judges were selected based on three criteria - industry and peer recognition, knowledge of beer styles and brewing process flavor perception, and prior judging or beer evaluation experience. The judges evaluated beers in their specific area of expertise and were prevented from judging catagories in which they entered their own beer. More information about the judging process can be found at the Great American Beer Festival website.
Congratulations to the brewer's and breweries distinguished with awards this year! The Colorado recipients are listed below. For a full list of all the winners from around the country, visit the Great American Beer Festival website.
Gold
Herb and Spice Beer
Summertime 69, Gunnison Brewery, Gunnison, CO
Specialty Honey Lager or Ale
Honey Moon Summer Ale, Blue Moon Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer
Oak Whiskey Red, Twisted Pine Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Dortmunder/European Style Export or German-Style Oktoberfest/Weisen (Meadow)
Move Back, Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field, Denver, CO
American Style Amber Lager
Steamengine Lager, Steamworks Brewing Co., Durango/Bayfield, CO
European Style Dark/Munchner Dunkel
Dunkelstilsken, CB & Pott's Restaurant & Brewery, Highlands Ranch, CO
American-Style India Pale Ale
IPA, Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
Irish Style Red Ale
Red Rocks Red, Rock Bottom Brewery - Westminster, Westminster, CO
Other Strong Ale or Lager
Derail Ale, Durango Brewing Co., Durango, CO
Silver
American-Style Hefeweizen
Easy Street Wheat, Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
Herb and Spice Beer
Sigda’s Green Chili, CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing Co., Fort Collins,CO
American-Style Sour Ale or German Style
Skull & Bones Cuvee, Bristol Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO
Bohemian Style Pilsener
Pallavincini Pilsener, Pug Ryan's Brewery, Dillon, CO
Dortmunder/European Style Export or German-Style Oktoberfest/Weisen (Meadow)
Green Side Up, Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field, Denver, CO
Vienna Style Lager
Dos Rios, Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co., Glenwood Springs, CO
German Style Strong Bock
Warning Sign, Rockyard American Grill & Brewing Co., Castle Rock, CO
German Style Kölsch/Köln Style Kölsch
Colorado Kölsch, Steamworks Brewing Co., Durango/Bayfield, CO
Imperial or Double Red Ale
Hog Heaven, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Scottish Style Ale
Laughing Lab Scottish Ale, Bristol Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO
Brown Porter
Prospector Porter, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO
Bronze
American-Style Sour Ale or German Style
Le Terror, New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
Münchner (Munich) Style Helles
What in the Helles?, Steamworks Brewing Co., Durango/Bayfield, CO
American Style Light Lager
Coors Light, Coors Brewing Co., Golden, CO
American Style Amber Lager
Old Scratch Amber Lager, Flying Dog Brewery, Denver, CO
Bock
Butthead Bock, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO
Imperial or Double Red Ale
Extra Special Red, Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
Belgian-Style White (or Wit)/Belgian
Mothership Wit Organic Wheat Beer, New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
Robust Porter
Planet Porter, Boulder Beer Co., Boulder, CO
Old Ale or Strong Ale
Imperial Nut Brown Ale, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO
Sources:
Brewers Association GABF website & publications: Great American Beer Festival
