Congratulations on bringing home the gold, not once, but twice!

Altstadt’s Lager and Kolsch were recognized with gold medals for brewing excellence at the world’s largest commercial beer competition.

Left image from left to right: Jeff Jones (sales), Jon Vance (Quality Assurance), Carlos Santiago (Brewer), Brandon Pettit (Brewer), Craig Rowan (Head Brewer), Charlie Papazian (Founder of Brewer’s Association and GABF)

Right image, from left to right: Peter McFarlane (Brewer), Carlos Santiago (Brewer), Jeff Jones (sales), Brandon Pettit (Brewer), Jon Vance (Quality Assurance), Craig Rowan (Head Brewer), Charlie Papazian (Founder of Brewer’s Association and GABF)

Denver, Colorado October 5, 2019 — Altstadt was awarded two gold medals at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition, the world’s largest commercial beer competition. The GABF, presented by the Brewers Association, recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded on October 5 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, in 107 beer categories covering 174 different beer styles (including all subcategories), establishing the best examples of each style in the country.

The GABF awards medals for excellence in style. Gold is awarded only to what is considered a world-class beer that accurately exemplifies the specific style, proper balance of taste, aroma, and appearance. This was a very tough competition.

Altstadt Brewery was recognized in both the German-style Koelsch category for its Kolsch and the Munich-Style Helles category for its Lager. Altstadt’s Kolsch is golden in color, with a clean, refreshing, crisp flavor that finishes with a subtle hop aroma. Altstadt’s Lager is also golden with full-flavored malt sweetness and a clean finish. Both are brewed with 100% German malts, hops, and yeast.

“We are very proud that through relentless hard work and dedication we are making German-style beers just like you would find in Germany and we have 2 gold medals to prove it.” said owner Billy Scripps.

Altstadt utilizes ingredients from Germany to make all of their beers using only water, malt, hops and yeast in every recipe. Minerals are added to the brewing water in each batch to recreate the water profile from the style’s German origin. These beers are made fresh in Texas, so you get exactly what the beer should taste like direct from the source, without the oxidation and off-flavors that may come from shipping beer overseas.

“A GABF gold medal is the most prestigious and difficult award you can win in brewing. Winning these medals in such competitive categories just shows what an amazing job our team is doing, especially in an environment where beer overall is better than it’s ever been.” Head Brewer of Altstadt brewery, Craig Rowan.

In the 33rd edition of the GABF competition, 9,497 entries were submitted to the general competition, along with 113 Pro-Am and 70 Collaboration entries. Beer was made by 2,295 breweries from across the nation, with entries from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Judging took place over the course of three days, with an international panel of 322 judges from 18 countries.

“This year’s GABF competition was the largest and most competitive to date,” said Chris Swersey, competition manager, Great American Beer Festival. “The beers and talent were as impressive as ever, and I’m thrilled to congratulate this year’s winners for their achievements in brewing.”

Congratulations to Altstadt Brewery on bringing home the gold, not once, but twice!

About Altstadt 

Altstadt Brewery, located in the heart of Fredericksburg, Texas, prides itself as a state-of-the-art brewing facility. Altstadt blends the latest in brewing technology with traditional German brewing practices, and as a result, produces world-class, locally brewed craft beers. Altstadt’s Bavarian-style castle provides brewery tours, live music, fine food, and beer tastings. It also hosts group events, weddings, and corporate gatherings. For more information about Altstadt Brewery, please visit www.altstadtbeer.com.