Great Western Brewing Company Takes Gold with Original 16 Canadian Pale Ale
New beer dedicated to company founders wins gold at the 2012 Canadian Brewing Awards
SASKATOON, SK, June 12, 2012 /CNW/ - Great Western Brewing Company's new Original 16, a beer dedicated to the company's founders, claimed Gold at the Canadian Brewing Awards held this past weekend at an industry awards gala in Montreal. This was the first Gold for Original 16, a premium ale produced with 100 per cent two-row prairie barley and double-aged for an exceptionally smooth taste.
"It's a tremendous honour to win gold for Original 16, and it's great validation for all the care and attention our team puts into making this premium beer," says Viv Jones, Brewmaster at Great Western Brewing Company. "To win with our new Original 16 in one of the most competitive categories is a real thrill." Original 16 won gold in the Cream Ale style category.
Great Western Brewing Company introduced Original 16 to Western Canadian beer drinkers in 2011 to celebrate the commitment, dedication, and determination of its original sixteen founders. More than twenty years ago, the previous owner had slated the city block-sized facility in downtown Saskatoon for closure. Sixteen employees banded together and decided they weren't going to let that happen. With determination, commitment, passion, and the personal risk that came with taking on such a large-scale facility, they saved the brewery. Employee founded and proudly independent, The Great Western Brewing Company was born.
The Canadian Brewing Awards are the premier competition for judging the quality of Canadian- brewed beer. The national competition invites breweries of all sizes from across the country to compete in a blind tasting to see who brews the best beer in a variety of style categories. A Canadian Brewing Award medal is now a widely recognized symbol of brewing excellence in Canada. A panel of approximately 25 Certified Beer Judges (BJCP), consider five criteria: aroma, appearance, flavour, mouth-feel, and overall impression when judging the beer.
"It's been a great year so far for Great Western Brewing Company and our Original 16 brand," says Michael Micovcin, President and CEO of Great Western Brewing Company. In addition to the Canadian Brewing Award, the company was recently recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies for the eighth consecutive year.
"This brewing award goes a long way in helping Great Western Brewing Company achieve our vision of being one the most respected and recognized regional breweries in Canada," Micovcin adds. "It also provides our customers with the added assurance they're enjoying a world-class beer."
About Great Western Brewing Company:
Great Western Brewing Company brews premium beer with the finest prairie barley for a taste that is uniquely Western and truly great. Great Western produces four brand families of beer: Original 16, Great Western Brands, Brewhouse Brands, and Value Brands. With a management-led employee group, the Great Western Brewing Company has become recognized as one of Canada's most successful regional brewers, producing a range of international award-winning beers. www.gwbc.ca
Michael Micovcin
President and CEO
Great Western Brewing Company Ltd.
306.653.4653 ext. 229
[email protected]
Share this article