Vancouver Craft Beer Week - 2 Golds
TREE BREWING’S QUALITY BREWS ARE GOLDEN AT 2011 BRITISH COLUMBIA BEER AWARDS
-- Kelowna–based Craft Brewer Adds Two Medals To Resume --
May 18, 2011 (Kelowna, BC) – British Columbia’s top craft brewers were celebrated last week during Vancouver Craft Beer Week, and once again Tree Brewing was amongst those receiving top accolades. Now in its second year, the 2011 British Columbia Brewing Awards were handed out on Saturday night in Vancouver, with over 400 different beers entered in 12 separate categories. Tree brought home a Gold in the IPA category for its Hop Head Double IPA, and a second Gold for its Raspberry Porter in the Sour/Fruit category.
“The BC Brewing Awards showcase the best beer brewed in our province, and we’re honoured that the judges recognized the quality and uniqueness that our Brewmaster Stefan Buhl and his team put into their creations,” says Tod Melnyk, President and CEO, Tree Brewing Company. “Tree is celebrating our 15th Anniversary this year, and this is another great milestone for us, reinforcing that we’re continuing to build our reputation around quality brews.
The two Gold Awards from 2011 provide a great complement for last year’s results where Tree received a Bronze for Hop Head 45 Red Ale in the Amber/Brown category, and Silver for its Spiced Reserve in the Spiced/Seasonal category.
“The craft beer industry in British Columbia is getting stronger all the time,” says Brewmaster Buhl. “Hop Head started the West Coast IPA style over 10 years ago, and we continue that approach to our brews with the creation of our Hop Head Double IPA. We always strive to lead the industry in the quality and innovation of our beers, and these awards help to let us know that we’re on the right track.”
With five different varieties of superior hops, Hop Head Double IPA (8.3 ABV) packs in the hoppy bitterness like no other. Similar to its award-winning, best-selling little brother, Hop Head IPA, Hop Head Double IPA also boasts citrus aromas and sweet malt undertones with a slightly darker, copper colour. This strong hops taste pairs well with a flavourful meal or sweet dessert. This is the third year that the Kelowna-based brewer has created this popular “occasional rarity,” which has received great reviews and accolades, including a Gold Medal at the Canadian Brewing Awards, since its initial launch in 2009.
Raspberry Porter takes the smooth dark chocolate character of Tree’s Spy Porter and adds a Raspberry twist, and is available in the 650mL bottle.
Each category in this year’s BC Beer Awards was judged by a panel of 4 judges, with an average of the 4 scores to be used. Within a grouping, each beer was judged against it's own style guideline, and awards were given out for the top beers in each grouping.
About Tree Brewing Company
A company focused on quality, excellence and creating great tasting beer, Tree Brewing Company has been taking craft brewing seriously for 15 years. Located in beautiful Kelowna, British Columbia, Tree brews in small batches using only water, malt, hops and yeast to produce the highest quality, all natural, unpasteurized beer. The Tree family of Craft beers include Hop Head India Pale Ale, Thirsty Beaver Amber Ale, Cutthroat West Coast Pale Ale, Kelowna Pilsner, Beach Blonde Lager and Vertical Winter Ale. Special releases also make brief appearances depending on the inspirations of Brewmaster Stefan Buhl. In 2011, Tree Brewing also introduced its first cider to the lineup; Dukes Dry Apple Cider is the only 100% BC-produced Dry Apple Cider available on the market. For more information on Tree Brewing and its award-winning lineup, please visit www.treebeer.com.
-- 30 –
For more information, please contact:
Betsy Cooper
b*co communications
T: 778-229-4947
E: cooper@b-co.ca
