ST. LOUIS, Missouri (PRWEB) July 12, 2016
For the first time in its eight-year history, the international U.S. Open Beer Championship has awarded its fifth, consecutive Gold Medal to the William K. Busch Brewing Co. of St. Louis, MO for its Kräftig Light American lager beer, it was announced today.
The company was officially notified of the award Monday following the weekend competition in Oxford, Ohio, where breweries from Maui to Munich provided nearly 5,000 beers representing more than 90 different styled beers for judging. Beer experts from England, Canada and the United States judges the beers in blind tastings.
“We are extremely honored to be the recipient of Kräftig Light’s fifth, consecutive Gold Medal in this prestigious international beer competition, a record for any brand,” said William K. “Billy” Busch, the company’s president and CEO. “All-natural American beers, Kräftig Light and Kräftig Lager are quenching the thirsts of beer drinkers throughout Missouri, parts of Kansas and Illinois, and in South Texas as we continue growing our distribution.”
Interestingly, Kräftig Brewmaster Marc Gottfried said the beer he provided to the competition “was purchased right off the shelf at a Schnucks grocery store in St. Louis. It wasn’t a special batch brewed just for the competition. It’s the same high-quality, all-natural Kräftig beer our customers buy from their local retailers to enjoy.”
Kräftig Lager and Kräftig Light have received a combined 29 Gold, Silver or Bronze medals from curated beer competitions across the U.S. since the company was launched nearly five years ago.
“We’re resuming the great American brewing tradition that was started by my great grandfather, Adolphus Busch, where we use only the finest, all-natural ingredients – pure water, Hallertau hops, malt from two- and six-row barley, and robust yeast -- to make Kräftig beer,” Busch said. “Our brewing process results in the clean, crisp, full-flavored taste of Kräftig. You can actually taste the quality!”
Firestone Walker Brewing from Paso Robles, CA was named Grand National Champion by winning three gold medals for its Union Jack IPA, Double Jack, and Parabajava. Melvin Brewing from Jackson, WY came in second, while Cigar City Brewing from Tampa, FL took home the third place award overall.