Three Arizona breweries were awarded medals at the 2016 World Beer Cup competition.
Before you ask, yes, it is a real competition. It is put on by The Brewer's Association, a non-profit organization that promotes independent breweries.
It was held over the weekend in Philadelphia.
In fact, a 200+ person panel were tasked with judging over 6,500 beers encompassing 96 different styles from 1,907 breweries from around the world. Tough gig, right?
A total of 287 awards were given out, according to the media release. Gold, silver and bronze medals were given out for each category, which represented a certain style of beer (ie: Belgian-style Pal Ale Strong Ale, English-Style Mild Ale, American-Style Pale Ale, Export Stout, Classis Irish-style dry scout, etc).
Tempe-based Four Peaks Brewery, which was acquired by Anheuser-Busch last year, was awarded a gold medal in the Scottish-Ale category for the Kilt Lifter, its flagship brew.
SanTan Brewing Company, which is based in Chandler, received a silver medal in the Fruit Wheat category for its Mr. Pineapple.
And Flagstaff's Lumberyard Brewing Company took home a bronze medal in the American Pale Ale category for the Knotty Pine. Click here to view a complete list of winners.
“We are honored to receive this award for Kilt Lifter at the World Beer Cup,” said Four Peaks co-founder Andy Ingram in a prepared statement. “To win the gold against such great competition is a tribute to everyone here at Four Peaks who works so hard to make Kilt Lifter an Arizona favorite.”
The Kilt Lifter brought home a bronze medal in 2014. Lumberyard's Knotty Pine won silver in 2014.
IF YOU WANT TO VISIT THESE BREWERIES:
Four Peaks Brewing Company
8th Street Brewery (home site): 1340 E. 8th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281
Four Peaks Grill & Tap: 15745 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Tasting Room on Wilson: 2401 S. Wilson Street, Tempe, AZ 85282
Sky Harbor International Airport Terminal 4: 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034
SanTan Brewing Company
8 South San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ 85225
Lumberyard Brewing Company
5 S. San Francisco Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
