4 Lightning Brewery Craft Beers Win at Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) June 24, 2012

San Diego’s Lightning Brewery today announced that four of its craft beers won silver and bronze awards at the Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition. The nearly 500 craft beer entries included nationwide brands Karl Strauss, Michelob, Stella Artois and Samuel Adams. In business only six years, Lightning Brewery has won 30 nationally recognized awards for its premium and seasonal beers. Lightning’s Electrostatic Ale received a silver award. Bronze awards went to Lightning’s Fair Weather Pale Ale, Thunderweizen Ale and Elemental Pilsner.

Dr. James Crute, Lightning Brewery’s owner, appreciated the wins. He states, “Garnering four additional medals this year further underscores the painstaking attention to detail we follow to perfect the flavors in our technically challenging beers. Prost!” A biochemistry Ph.D. with 20 years experience in the biotech industry, Dr. Crute is recognized in the local brewery scene for his uncompromising focus on quality and scrupulous attention to every stage of the brewing process. “Not many brewery owners oversee every aspect of brewing like I do,” Crute adds. His experience in commercial drug discovery while working as a biotech scientist sparked an interest in the chemical processes involved in craft beer brewing. He’s convinced that perfecting elements of the brewing process helps brewers create the most rich and satisfying flavors.

The Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition is open to beers from around the world. It evaluated beers in 82 categories. Competitors included San Diego locals like Karl Strauss and Ballast Point, as well as national brands Samuel Adams, Stella Artois, Michelob and Samuel Adams. This year, both American and international breweries submitted nearly 500 beers. The contest is limited to licensed breweries that sell their beer to the general public. Judges are selected from top brew masters and the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). With nearly 500 beers to evaluate, judges took two days to narrow their selections to gold, silver and bronze winners.

Lightning Brewery’s 2012 sales have doubled from the same period in 2011. Dr. Crute credits the decision to use the Stone distribution sales team for the surge. Lightning beers are on tap at more than 100 San Diego restaurants including all Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza locations and the five-star Torrey Pines Lodge. Available in many liquor and convenience stores, Lightning craft beer is the best selling craft beer in all San Diego County Sprouts locations.

Dr. Crute is chairman of the board of the Poway Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of the San Diego Brewers Guild. He enjoys attending his local QUAFF homebrew club’s events. Currently, he is working on a book on the biochemical basis of craft beer brewing and enjoyment.

Lightning Brewery is open to the public for tastings on Fridays from 1:30 – 5:30 and Saturdays from 1-5 at 13200 Kirkham Way, Poway, CA.

Contact Info:
Dr. James Crute
Lightning Brewery
858.513.8070
jim(at)lightningbrewery(dot)com
http://www.lightningbrewery.com
http://www.facebook.com/lightningbrewery
Twitter: @jim_crute
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waOEv6mN3Bw&feature=related

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