photo courtesy of Reuben’s Brews
(SEATTLE) Local brewers cleaned-up at this year’s Great American Beer Festival Awards, held this past weekend in Denver, Colorado.
When it comes to wine in the Northwest, Washington has long been the kingpin, with Oregon being a leader in the world of beer. But that beer table is turning.
This past weekend, Oregon brought home 18 Great American Beer Festival medals. Washington won 19, including gold for Seattle’s own Reuben’s Brews. Co-owner Adam Robbings moved here from UK in 2004.
“I thought I was moving to the land of Bud Light and plain beer, but totally was the opposite. It (Washington) totaly blew my mindset as to what beer could be,” Robbings tells Northwest Wine Radio.
The Reuben’s Brews “The Ryes Men” earned one of the seven gold medals awarded this year to Washington beers. Five beers were awarded silver, and seven were awarded bronze. Robbings says the keys to his success, and to keeping him interested in brewing…is variety. Instead of focusing on big production and filling quotas, he enjoys brewing dozens of smaller batches.
“We’re gonna put in the best malts and the best hops and use the best yeast strains to maximize the quality of the end product,” Robbings says.
Washington’s medal count this year was fourth highest in the country, only behind Texas, Colorado, and California.