Editor's Note: Oakshire's Overcast Espresso Stout is one of my and Jodie's favorite beers. We'll be stocking up some more bottles of this strong dark awesomeness.
Eugene, Oregon — The Oakshire Brewing Company recently claimed a silver medal at the 2009 Great American Beer Festival Competition, the largest national beer competition recognizing the most outstanding beers produced in the United States today. The top 3 winners in the competition's 78 beer-style categories were announced September 26 at the 28th Annual Great American Beer Festival Awards Ceremony held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
"It's a great thrill to be recognized for our hard work. And to win with one of our year-round beers is equally exciting as we can continue bringing this high quality local beer to our many Overcast fans," says Matt Van Wyk, brewmaster at Oakshire. This silver medal is the first national award for Oakshire Brewing and the first in Eugene since 2003 when local Bier Stein owner Chip Hardy brought home a gold while at West Brothers Brewery. This medal is Van Wyk's 10th at the GABF and fifth straight year medaling. Previously he brewed for Flossmoor Station Brewing Company in Flossmoor, Illinois.
Oakshire was recognized in the coffee beer-style category for Overcast Espresso Stout, a dark ale crafted with locally roasted and cold-pressed organic espresso beans. Oakshire is a 2000-barrel microbrewery located in Eugene, Oregon, that specializes in brewing quality hand-crafted ales in small batches and distributes throughout the state of Oregon.
The 2009 Great American Beer Festival Competition winners were selected by an international panel of brewing experts from an impressive field of 3,308 entries received from 495 U.S. breweries. More than 1,400 breweries were invited to compete. "The Great American Beer Festival is the premier beer competition for the American beer industry," says Nancy Johnson, Festival Director. "Winning a medal, no matter if gold, silver or bronze, is truly an accomplishment."
For more Great American Beer Festival Competition information, the 2009 winners’ list and photos, visit www.GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com
