Blue Lake, CA — Mad River Brewing proudly claimed a silver medal at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest national beer competition recognizing the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. The top three winners in 92 beer categories were announced September 26 at the annual event in Denver, Colorado, with Mad River Brewing’s Humboldt Brownie taking silver in the Other Strong Ale category.
This year’s GABF competition saw a record number of 6,647 entries (plus 91 Pro-Am entries) submitted by an impressive 1,552 U.S. breweries; winners were selected by an international panel of 242 expert judges.
“I am extremely proud of our crew,” said Dylan Schatz, Mad River Brewing’s Brew Master. “This year’s award added to a full line up of past and present medal winning ales which were proudly served at this year’s GABF.”
The silver for Humboldt Brownie brings Mad River to a total of 9 GABF medals in 9 years. They have received four gold medals for Steelhead Extra Pale Ale (2008 & 2012) and John Barleycorn (2007 & 2010), as well as 4 silver medals for Steelhead Extra Pale (2010 & 2013), Jamaica Red (2011) and Humboldt Brownie (2015), and one bronze for their seasonal ale Super Chili Pepper Madness (2010).
2015 marked the first time in Mad River’s 26 year history that they have released ales in a 22oz bottle format. Humboldt Brownie, an Imperial Brown Ale, was part of this Artisan Reserve Series, a bi-monthly rotating series of high gravity, specialty ales.
“American brewers continue to create innovative, flavorful high quality beers which were on full display at this year’s event,” said Chris Swersey, competition manager. “The Great American Beer Festival continues to showcase the best this country’s brewers have to offer with the competition growing and becoming ever more competitive. Congratulations to all participants and especially this year’s winners.”
Mad River Brewing is a 14,000 barrel microbrewery located in Blue Lake, CA that is well known for their award winning, handcrafted, and well-balanced ales. In 2010 they were also awarded Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year from GABF.
For more information on the GABF competition and a full list of 2015 winners, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.
About Mad River Brewing Company
Located in Humboldt County, California, Mad River Brewing Company has been practicing the most traditional brewing methods for 26 years. As the producers of Steelhead and Jamaica Brand Fine Ales, Mad River Brewing continues to handcraft their ales in the truest sense – hand stirred one batch at a time. Mad River’s flagship, Steelhead Extra Pale Ale, and their other award-winning brews have become renowned nationwide for their unique flavor profile and consistent quality through dedication to the brewery’s mission, “to produce the highest quality craft beer possible”. The Mad River team continues to pursue outstanding ales which transcend boundaries and expand the art of brewing.