SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Second straight win for Firestone Walker, home brew contest winner places
With another successful year of BBQ, Brews and Blues in the books, the Eldorado Hotel Casino proudly announces winners from this year’s 16th Annual Festival. With nearly 35 breweries competing for title of “Best in Show” on Virginia Street, the 2010 reigning champ proved their beer is still at the top of the hops.
Earning the Best in Show Award for the second consecutive year is Firestone Walker Brewing Company from Paso Robles, California. Their “Humboldt Hemp Brown Ale” scored highest in taste tests among the Festival’s seasoned brew judges, also taking home first place in the Brown/Dark/Strong Ale category for the second year in a row. Also awarded in this category was Lost Coast Brewery who took second with their “Downtown Brown” and Newcastle Brown Ale who placed third.
The Eldorado’s Home Brew Contest Winner Eric Cyr proudly took home second place honors for his “Bee Free Honey Rye” in the Specialty Beers category. For the contest, Eric and Eldorado Brewmaster Greg Hinge took his 5 gallon home brew recipe and turned it into nearly 400 gallons of beer to serve at the Festival. Earning the top spot for Specialty Beers was Lindemann’s “Framboise Lambic” and in third was Bud Light Lime.
Some beers moved up in the ranks since last year’s tasting, including “Free Style White” from Black Diamond Brewing out of Walnut Creek, California. The beer won top honors in the Light Ale category, up from a second place finish in 2010. Also placing in the Light Ale category were Lagunitas Brewing Company’s “Lucky 13 Blonde” in second and Big Sky Brewing Company’s “Trout Slayer” taking third.
But Black Diamond wasn’t done winning there—they were the only brewery to take home two first place titles from the 16th Annual BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival. Their “Jagged Edge IPA” earned gold in the Pale Ale category, with Kona Brewing Company’s “Firerock Pale Ale” and Firestone Walker’s “Double Barrel Ale” coming in second and third.
Kona Brewing Company’s “Longboard Lager” took third in the Lager category after a first place finish in the same category last year. Topping the Lager charts this year was Samuel Adam’s “Boston Lager,” with Heineken Lager taking second.
In the Wheat Ale category, Leinenkugel Brewing Company from Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin placed first for their summertime staple “Sunset Wheat.” Blue Moon’s original “Belgian White” won second place honors while Widmer’s “Hefeweizen”came in third.
Grand Teton Brewing Company out of Victor, Idaho ran away with the Amber Ale title. Their “Pursuit of Hoppiness” was judges favorite in the category, followed by Anderson Valley Brewing Company’s “Boont Amber” at second and New Belgium Brewing Company’s “Fat Tire Amber” in third.
Congratulations to all the 2011 Winners! The Eldorado Hotel Casino also thanks each brewery, vendor, musician and guests who helped make the 16th Annual Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival a success. For more information and pictures of the festival, visit us online at www.eldoradoreno.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Call the Eldorado for details at 775-786-5700. See you next year!
