LAHAINA, MAUI, HI – 26 October 2012 – Maui Brewing Co. (MBC) was very proud to accept a gold medal for their Hawaii 90 Wee Heavy Scotch Ale awarded at the recent Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, CO. Wee Heavy won in Category 59, the Scottish-Style Ale category. This year, 4338 beers were entered into the competition and 185 judges from 11 countries judged 84 categories of beers, covering 134 beer styles. In total, 251 medals were awarded.
GABF is not only about sampling quality beer but is also a beer competition. Breweries enter their beers to be judged by the festival’s professional judges. Festival attendees can also sample many of the beers entered in the competition during the tasting sessions. Gold, silver or bronze medals are awarded and these are recognized around the world as symbols of brewing excellence. These awards are among the most coveted in the industry. Five different three-hour judging sessions take place over the three-day period during the week of the festival. Judges are assigned beers to evaluate in their specific area of expertise and never judge their own product or any product in which they have an interest.
The GABF Awards Criteria is 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.
Maui Brewing Co. is a truly Hawaiian brewery, and proud to make 100% of their beer, canned and draft, in Hawaii. Recognized as Hawaii’s #1 craft beer since 2005, the company has a strong commitment to the local economy and the environment. MBC beers are packaged with the most eco-friendly materials. Cans are manufactured on Oahu and designed by local Maui artists. They have the added bonus of better protecting the beer from both light and oxygen damage which can compromise the taste. Plastic rings are dangerous to marine life and therefore, a unique, recyclable plastic carrying device is used to hold the cans. The spent grain from beer production is donated to local ranchers for cattle feed and composting. MBC is also very active in several local Hawaiian charities. Founder Garrett Marrero and his wife, Melanie, operate a 7-barrel brewpub at the Kahana location as well as a 25-barrel production brewery and canning facility in Lahaina. Maui Brewing Co. is a truly local beer as 100% of their products are made in Hawaii. Contact[email protected] for interviews, additional information, or media questions. To order for your retail/restaurant/resort establishment, contact [email protected].