Utah Brewers Cooperative Names Mid-Size Brewery of the Year

Salt Lake City – (September 22, 2010) – Squatters and Wasatch (Utah Brewers Cooperative) competed at Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver this past weekend and returned to Utah as Mid-size Brewery of the Year, joining America’s most celebrated microbreweries. Past winners include: New Belgium Brewing, Pyramid Breweries, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, New Glarus Brewing Company, Widmer Brothers Brewing Company and Flying Dog Brewery.   

"We are really rocked to our souls with this incredible recognition; we’ve won our share of medals over the years, but this is really something special for our tremendously talented brewing team, and their combined 80 years of brewing experience. I hope Utah is as proud as I am," beams Greg Schirf, UBC managing partner.

The brewery was awarded three medals, a gold medal for Wasatch’s popular seasonal Summerbrau in the Dortmunder or German-style Oktoberfest Category; a gold for Squatters Wit Bier in the Session Beer Category, one of the fastest growing categories at the competition with 30 entries; and a bronze medal for Hell’s Keep in the Belgian-Style Strong Specialty Ale Category against an imposing 54 entries.

GABF remains the largest commercial beer competition in the world, with 3,523 beers vying for gold, silver and bronze medals in 79 categories. The competition saw increased geographic diversity among medal winners, with an emerging trend of winners from the Midwest alongside the traditional successful states of California and Colorado. “Other states appear to be emerging as the craft beer producer and consumer markets mature in their regions,” said GABF manager Chris Swersey.

“Many from outside Utah and even from within still have preconceived ideas about what Utah beer is and how it measures-up on a national and worldwide stage. You don't have to like Utah's beer but you can't deny that when all labels are removed, and you judge on taste not Alcohol by Volume our beers/brewers can Rock-it!,” says Utah Beer Blogger Mike Riedel. In all, Utah brewers received seven awards at the three-day festival.

For more information about the Great American Beer Festival and the Brewers Association or to view a complete list of winners visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/the-competition/winners/

 ABOUT (UTAH BREWERS COOPERTIVE) SQUATTERS & WASATCH BREWERY

In 1986, Greg Schirf owner and operator of Wasatch Beers and Brewpub www.wasatchbeers.com

opened Utah’s first microbrewery in the resort town of Park City. Jeff Polychronis and Peter Cole founders of Squatters Pubs and Beers opened Salt Lake’s original brewpub in 1989, and currently operates three pubs. www.squatters.com In 2000 Wasatch and Squatters merged their microbrewery operations for draft and bottle production creating Utah Brewers Cooperative www.utahbeers.com. Greg Schirf is operating partner and Dan Burick brew master and general manager overseeing all of Squatters and Wasatch award winning bottle and keg products.

Utah Brewers Cooperative is on schedule to produce 38,000 barrels in 2010 and is the only Utah brewery represented on the Brewers Association list of the Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies in the Country. Squatters and Wasatch bottled and draft beers are available in Utah liquor stores, restaurants, clubs, hotels, resorts, grocery and convenience stores throughout Utah; and other select locations in the western United States.

About the Brewers Association

Based in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade and education association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. Visit BrewersAssociation.org to learn more. The association's activities include events and publishing: CraftBeer.com, World Beer Cup®; Great American Beer Festival℠; Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®; National Homebrewers Conference; National Homebrew Competition; SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience; American Craft Beer Week; Zymurgy magazine; The New Brewer magazine; and books on beer and brewing. The Brewers Association has an additional membership division of 20,000+ homebrewers: American Homebrewers Association.

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Squatters & Wasatch Beers
Contact: Amy Coady
Office: 801-328-2329 x244
Cell: 801-514-1467
amy@squatters.com

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