North County Brewers Shine with Gold Medals

Del Mar CA— This year, the 2016 San Diego County Fair, presented by Albertsons|Vons proudly presents the 10^th Annual San Diego International Beer Festival, one of the largest in the country, with more than 1,374 entries – up 44 percent from last year – from 14 countries and 28 states, plus the District of Columbia. International brewery involvement was also up, with 254 participating worldwide. The judging was held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in closed session, April 22 – 24, 2016. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded and are listed on the website at www.sandiegobeerfestival.com. The “Best of Show Beer” will be announced during Session 3 of the Festival on Saturday, June 18, at 12:30 p.m.
San Diego County breweries won a total of 41 medals out of 159 medals awarded. The Champion Brewery designation is awarded to the brewery receiving the most combined points overall. San Diego’s own AleSmith Brewing Company was crowned 2016 Champion Brewery for winning an astounding four total medals; one gold, two silver and one bronze, besting 253 other breweries from across the globe. AleSmith’s “Nut Brown Ale” reigned supreme, with “Horny Devil,” “Olde Ale,” and “Old Numbskull” rounding out their winnings.
Champion Meadery/Cidery was bestowed upon Angry Orchard Cider Company of Walden, New York. They won two Golds; “Angry Orchard Crisp Apple” and “Angry Orchard Muse,” one Silver; “Angry Orchard Knotty Pear,” and one Bronze medal; “Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple.”
In total, there were 23 gold-winning brews from San Diego, including, “Mandarin Nectar” from Alpine Beer Company, “Shark Bite Red” from Pizza Port – Bressi Ranch, “Short Schwartz” from Pizza Port – Carlsbad, “Constantine’s Russian Imperial Stout” from Nickel Beer Company – Julian, “Rasbiscus Mead” from Breakwater Brewing Company – Oceanside, “Three Sheets” from Ballast Point Brewing – HomeBrewMart, “Viva La Beaver” from Belching Beaver Brewery – San Diego, “Sour Superintendent” from Division 23 Brewing, “Shut Up Wesley Wheat” from Intergalactic Brewing Company, “Claritas” by Mike Hess Brewing, “Mighty Joe Young” from Monkey Paw Brewing – San Diego, “Pure & Simple IPA” and “Pacific Storm Stout” from New English Brewing Co., “Scottish Ale” from Saint Archer Brewery – San Diego, “San Diego IPA” from San Diego Brewing Co. – San Diego, “The Coachman” from Societe Brewing Company – San Diego, “Bramble On Rose” from Toolbox Brewing Company – San Diego, “Dawn Patrol Dark” from Port Brewing Company – San Marcos, “Breakline Bock” and “Black Lagoon Scottish Strong” from Rip Current Brewing – San Marcos, “Funk # Four” from Aztec Brewing Company – Vista, and “Mother Earth ESB” from Mother Earth Brew Co. – Vista.
The 10^th Annual San Diego International Beer Festival has become one of the top beer festivals and competitions in the U.S! Last year, more than 10,000 beer lovers joined in on one of our five tasting sessions, sipping their way through their choice of hundreds of varieties of ale, cider, porter, stout, mead and more. Between three to four hundred beers will be served at the Festival, and more than 35 vendors will be on hand selling beer-related items, like barrel furniture, and so much more.

New this year:

Beer Stage Demos: The Educational Beer Stage will feature three seminars (with samples) per session hosted by breweries, educators and food purveyors. Ride the flavor wave with Rip Current Brewery and Sublime Alehouse. Enjoy a pairing from Oggi’s Pizza & Brewhouse. Take a blind taste test with The Brew Project. Pair beer and desserts with Latitude 33 and Fioriena Desserts. Enjoy pairings with Belching Beaver Brewery and their brand new eatery and more!
Special Release Beers: Rare brews will be tapped at various times throughout the festival and poured until the barrel runs dry.
Expanded VIP Lounge: A larger lounge space will include games, early admission, five feature craft food and beer pairing stations and more.
Beer and Cheese Pavilion: Take a break in this new area, complete with life-size games and barrel furniture. It will feature special beer and cheese pairings every hour along with fun contests including: Best Beerd Contest, Best Pretzel Necklace Contest and Best Beer Belly Contest.
All festival goers are invited to the new game pavilion featuring fun contests like “Best Beerd,” “Best Beer Belly” and “Best Pretzel Necklace.” Echo Athletics will provide free giant-sized games and Cypress Grove will offer beer and cheese pairings. For an exclusive opportunity, the VIP Lounge includes Fair and Festival admission, early festival entry, VIP Lounge seating, food and beer pairings, unlimited grazing for the first two hours of the session and a 6-oz. souvenir glass.
Beer Festival Dates/Times:
SESSION 1: Friday, June 17 (noon – 4 p.m.)
SESSION 2: Friday, June 17 (5 – 9 p.m.)
SESSION 3: Saturday, June 18 (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
SESSION 4: Saturday, June 18 (4 – 8 p.m.)
SESSION 5: Sunday, June 19 (noon – 4 p.m.)
 

Beer Festival Tickets are available at www.sandiegobeerfestival.com and at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Box Office.