Members of the Los Angeles County Brewers Guild picked up beer’s most coveted accolades at this year’s 2015 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO. Silver medals were awarded to Beachwood BBQ & Brewing for Mocha Machine and to Smog City Brewing for Kumquat Saison in the competition that featured a record-number of brewing hopefuls. Regarded as the most important beer competition in the United States, the 2014 GABF saw 5,507 beers entered by 1,309 breweries vying for approximately 242 medals in 90 categories.*
Beachwood Brewing has had a fortunate run with the competition in years past, nabbing a total of 10 medals since 2012 along with awards for Best Large Brewpub & Brewer (2014) and Best Mid-Sized Brewpub & Brewer (2013). Brewmaster Julian Shrago and Proprietor Gabe Gordon accepted this year’s award along with their brew team. This is the second time Mocha Machine has been recognized in the Coffee Beer category (it took Gold in 2014).
Torrance-based Smog City Brewing earned hardware with their Kumquat Saison in the Belgian-style Fruit Beer category. Originally released earlier this year as a collaboration with local food advocacy group Food Forward, Kumquat Saison will make its return in limited bottles and draught on Saturday, October 3 at the brewery’s tasting room. This marks Smog City’s second GABF win; their first being a Gold medal for their Groundwork Coffee Porter (2012) in the Coffee Beer category.
About L.A. County Brewers Guild:
The Los Angeles County Brewers Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and promoting L.A county’s craft brewers. Founded in 2013, the LABG is home to 35 member breweries and counting. For more information on, visit us at www.facebook.com/labrewers
Beachwood BBQ & Brewing is located at 210 E. 3rd Street, Long Beach, CA, 90802.
Smog City Brewing is located at 1901 Del Amo Blvd. #B, Torrance, CA, 90501.