Craft Lager Fest Winners Announced

Press Release - SEIKO MARKETING LLC

The 7th Annual Craft Lager Festival was held in Historic Manitou Springs on August 8th-9th, from 1-6 PM. Over 30 brewers from around the U.S. participated in this year’s festival with 54 different types of lagers. Also included for the first time was Michelob Brewing Company with a Sneak Preview of four new experimental lagers that never have been released out in the market.

Other brewers that participated during the 2-days event included Samuel Adams, Boulder Beer, Boulevard Brewing, Breckenridge Brewery, Carver Brewing, Del Norte Brewing, Dillon Dam Brewery, Durango Brewing Company, Full Sail Brewing, Kona Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing, Left Hand Brewing, McClelland Brewing, New Belgium Brewing, Pub Ryan’s Brewing, Rock Bottom (Colorado Springs), Rocky Mountain Brewing, San Luis Valley Brewing, Shmaltz Brewing, SKA Brewing, Trinity Brewing, Widmer Brothers Brewing, Wynkoop Brewing, Il Vicino, Tommyknocker, Good Old Boys Brewing Co-Op, and Phantom Canyon.

The Festival has enjoyed tremendous growth over the past 7 years and this year was no exception. Julian Heron, President of Craft Lager Festival, explains, “This year, in a recession, we've had tremendous growth and exposure that exceeds all of the six Craft Lager Festivals in previous years. Heron concludes, “All proceeds for this event support open space and parks in Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs. To date we have supported Section 16 and Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Friends of Cheyenne Canyon, and Soda Springs Park. The more tickets we sell, the more we can support our local parks. This year’s theme was DRINK A BEER – SAVE A TREE to show our commitment to help preserve the environment.”

Does the growing popularity illustrate increasing interest in unique, quality craft beers or enthusiasm for tree planting and open space? Enjoy a brew while you think it over. Here are some suggestions:

The following is the list of winners from this year’s judging:

PILSNER

1st Place: Left Hand Brewing-Polestar Pilsner

2nd Place: Pug Ryan’s Brewing- Bohemian Pilsner

3rd Place: Lagunitas Brewing-Czech Style Pilsner

STRONG LAGER

1st Place: Rock-Bottom Brewing-Silver Mullett

2nd place: Shmaltz Brewing-Human Blockhead

3rd Place: No Award Given

EXPORT/HELLES

1st Place: Kona Brewing-Longboard Lager

2nd Place: Full Sail Brewing-Sessions

3rd Place: Boulevard Brewing-Boulevard Pilsner

OCTOBERFEST/MARZEN

1st Place: Dillon Dam Brewing-Dam Straight Lager

2nd Place: No Award Given

3rd Place: Del Norte Brewing-Manana

BOCK:

1st Place: Rock Bottom Brewing-Goat Toppler

2nd Place: Carver Brewing- X Rock Bock

3rd Place: Samuel Adams-Double Bock

SPECIALTY LAGER

1st Place: New Belgium Brewing-1554

2nd Place: Rock Bottom Brewing-La Vida Es Buena

3rd Place: Widmer Brothers Brewing-Black Bier

The BEST OF SHOW Award is annually presented to the overall winner as voted by all the winners of each category.

BEST OF SHOW: Left Hand Brewing-Polestar Pilsner

If you’d like to sponsor this event next year with a donation or services, send a message to craftlagerfest@yahoo.com. Your sponsorship will be marketed on event materials (T-shirts, banners, cups, etc.), in media advertising (radio, print, cable, Internet, TV) and acknowledged during the two-day festival.