Author: Sean Inman

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Rare Beer Event Review

24 Rare beers on the 2nd floor of the historic Wynkoop Brewing Company. Sounds like heaven to me.

Though I only had 8 of the beers. (I only have so much tolerance + that Utopia killed my taste buds), it was an awesome gathering with great people. Garrett Oliver and Sam Calagione were pouring. Carl Singmaster from Belmont Station was in attendance. And who knows who else was in the large crowd.

Here are the beers that I had…
Brooklyn Wild 1
Funky and farmhouse with interesting spice notes. Strong but sprightly.

Deschutes Black Butte XX
Oyster and coffee notes. Black in color. Smooth and tasty.

New Glarus R&D Golden
Sour right off the bat. A little bit of a fight here between flavors. Doesn’t quite work.

Harpoon Wet Hop Ale
To me, a typical East Coast IPA in that it is a really good pale ale.

Bison Reunion 09 Double Wit
The doubling sorta of pushes the wit spices away to much. A little to strong alcohol wise for a wit.

New Belgium Trip II
Another beer where the yeast overpowers the hop and tilts the balance. It is really close to being an awesome brew.

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even more Beer Search Party GABF awards

BEST OF MY LIMITED FEST
This goes to Brooklyn Breweries Cuvee de Cardoz. Mostly because any beer that could put umpteen different Indian spices on top of a base wheat beer and make it come out good, has to get my vote. This is a unique beer without needing an acquired taste. It is finely balanced and complex.

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Great American Beer Festival – Winners (part 3)

2009 GABF Top Medal Winning States
State – Number of Medals won
_______________________
Colorado 45 19% 459 14%
California 39 16% 594 18%
Oregon 22 9% 172 5%
Washington 13 5% 162 5%
Pennsylvania 12 5% 126 4%
Michigan 9 4% 138 4%
New York 8 3% 117 4%
Virginia 8 3% 58 2%
Illinois 7 3% 93 3%
Maryland 7 3% 63 2%

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Buzz Breweries

There were many beers that I wanted to have while in Denver but what is also great is hearing about breweries that are popular at home and praised for great beer that are brand new to me.

Here are three breweries to watch:

They had beer at the rare beer event and their booth was very crowded.
They had beer at the rare beer event and their booth was very crowded.

Michigan is the place to watch for beer. This booth had lines as big as Dogfish and New Glarus.
Michigan is the place to watch for beer. This booth had lines as big as Dogfish and New Glarus.
Twice I overheard fellow GABF'ers tell people to try their beers. Plus, love that logo.
Twice I overheard fellow GABF'ers tell people to try their beers. Plus, love that logo.
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Great American Beer Festival – Winners (part 2)

2009 Great American Beer Festival Pro-Am Competition
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co. and HopUnion

Gold: Herbal Joe’s Columbarillo IPA, Chama River Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM
Brewmaster: Jeff Erway, AHA Member: Ben Miller

Silver: Alright Already Amber, O’Fallon Brewery, O’Fallon, MO
Brewmaster: Brian Owens, AHA Member: Jim Yeager

Bronze: Time of the Season, Upslope Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Brewmaster: Daniel Pages, AHA Member: Brian Patterson

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Great American Beer Fest – Winners (part 1)

2009 Brewery and Brewer of the Year Awards

Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Crosby & Baker Ltd.
Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD; Robert Malone

Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Microstar Keg Management
Dry Dock Brewing Company, Aurora, CO; Dry Dock Brewing Team

Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Pizza Port Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA; Pizza Port Brew Guys

Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Chuckanut Brewery, Bellingham, WA; Will Kemper