News release from the Hop River Brewing Company:
Local Brewery Brings Home 2 Gold Metals and Runner-Up for Best in Show
(July 16, 2018) – Hop River Brewing Company won two Gold medals and placed second overall for Best in Show at the distinguished Indiana State Fair Brewers’ Cup Professional Division. Maestro Vienna Lager won gold in the European Amber Lager Division and earned Runner-Up for Best in Show. Harrison St. Wheat took home a gold medal in the German Wheat and Rye Division. Craft brewers from across the country entered 661 beers for competition in the 20th anniversary Brewer’s Cup.
The IN Brewers’ Cup is considered one of the largest home and professional statewide craft beer competitions with entries this year from California, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. Professional judges evaluate beers based on aroma, flavors, and appearance.
“We’re a brewery staffed by beer drinkers and enthusiasts,” said Head Brewer Kevin Debs. “Everyone works to make each new batch a little better than the batch before, because that’s the beer we want to drink ourselves—and the beer we want to share.”
Hop River Brewing Company opened in February, and the downtown Fort Wayne all-ages taproom has quickly become a favorite haunt for both craft beer geeks and casual beer drinkers. Hop River beer is available in bars and restaurants around Fort Wayne, including Parkview Field during TinCaps games.
Maestro Vienna Lager is a classic, European style amber. Maestro is slightly sweet with strong bready-malt flavors and light, noble hops for balance. Patiently aging this beer gives it an elegant and smooth finish.
Harrison St. Wheat is a German Hefeweizen beer, brewed with wheat for a cloudy appearance and luscious texture. Affectionally known as Harry St. by taproom regulars, it’s an excellent summer beer, best enjoyed with sunshine.Fort Wayne Breweries Mad Anthony and Junk Ditch Brewing also won medals at this year’s Brewer’s Cup, helping to cement Fort Wayne as an Indiana craft beer destination.
“Having only been open five months, these awards are a welcome validation of our hard work and dedication to creating innovative, yet true-to-style, craft beer in Fort Wayne. Of course, it starts with an excellent brewer, and Kevin is the best around in our opinion. We could not have achieved these awards without everyone at the brewery contributing—from the kitchen to the taproom staff—pushing every day to help us make the best beer,” said co-owner Ben Jackson.
About Hop River Brewing Company
Water, Barley, Hops, and Yeast. Hop River Brewing Company was founded on the idea of using these four basic ingredients to create unique varieties of craft beer. Their taproom is a place to have a pint, share stories with friends, and create memories. As Hop River’s identity takes shape, the brewery looks forward to being a part of the downtown community and its continued rebirth.
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