The Port City Brewing Company has just garnered the award of being the best small brewery in America during the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) held in Denver.
GABF is believed to be the biggest commercial beer competition worldwide symbolizing the excellence of brewing. This year's celebration was considered extraordinary as the current 29th year festival beat all the former competition in terms participation records.
Also, 242 beer experts from 15 different countries were invited, having this year's event the largest panel of judges.
The brewing company has reaped three medals during the festival including two silver medals for the Porter and Monumental IPA, and a bronze one for the Optimal Wit. The three medals that they have earned then entitled the Port City to be the Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year.
Bill Butcher expressed his heartfelt joy as he himself never expected the big win.
"The results were a complete surprise. Being named Small Brewery of the Year is an unbelievable recognition," said by the Port City owner.
The competition covers around 92 beer categories with almost 145 different beer styles including all of the subcategories. The winners were selected from over 6,647 brewer participants from different countries, in which 1,552 of them came from the 50 states of America including the Washington D.C. The chosen winner received an award in a form of either bronze, silver, or gold medal.
Alexandria's Port City Brewing Company was one of the 518 competitors sorted in the Small Brewing Company category. The category is defined as those breweries who can produce between 1,000 and 14,999 barrels of beer in one year.
Other brewery companies that also received awards include Firestone Walker, Left Hand and Sun King Breweries.
According to Butcher, the company is now planning to have a victory celebration in a form of "Medal Throwndown" and thru series of events.
