Two local breweries were recently awarded for the craftsmanship of their ales.
Alaskan Brewing Company and Barnaby Brewing Company each earned a medal during the 2018 U.S. Open Beer Championship held at Quarter Barrel Brewery + Pub in Oxford, Ohio.
Alaskan Brewing took home a bronze for its flagship Alaskan Amber in the Irish Red Ale category and Barnaby Brewing Company won a silver for its “I’ll Have Another 2018” beer in the Smoked/Rauch Beer category. Those two beers were the only medal winners in all of Alaska. According to the U.S. Open of Beer website, more than 6,300 beers representing more than 110 different styles from all over the world were in the competition.
Alaskan Brewery Communications Manager Andy Kline said in an email to the Empire that this award shows the lasting power of the brewery’s longest-running beer.
“This award feels particularly satisfying because it is in recognition of a beer we’ve been making for 32 years,” Kline said. “So to continue to have Amber chosen as one of the best beers in the U.S. is something we’re very proud of and we are appreciative of everyone who continues to choose an Alaskan Amber when they raise a glass.”
Barnaby Brewing has still not reopened after an electrical fire on the night of April 16 that forced the brewing to shut down. No one was harmed in the fire. The brewery was planning on celebrating its one-year anniversary later that month. The brewery had plans to start a monthly can release starting with the release of “Woke AF,” a Belgo American New England Style IPA in April.
Matt Barnaby, owner of Barnaby Brewing Company, said the smoked beer that won the U.S. Open of Beer medal actually brought out a chuckle when he heard the news.
“It was sort of funny that the smoked beer won after we had the fire,” Barnaby said in a phone interview Monday. “It was sort of ironic.”
Barnaby said the origin of the beer came from the “I’ll Have Another” series from 2017’s Haines Brewfest. Brewers get together and a loose recipe is given. Barnaby said the main objective for this beer was to smoke your own malt. The idea is that the brewers all brew a beer with the main concept, but still add their own personal touch. The next year, they come to Brewfest with that beer. While the kegs of “I’ll Have Another” did not survive the fire, Barnaby said he did have some cans left. The beer submitted was the first time Barnaby had brewed that particular beer and it was the last beer brewed at the brewery.
Barnaby also added that there is no timeline on when the brewery will reopen. He said he hopes to possibly get more clarification this week.
Peticolas Brewing in Dallas, Texas was named Grand National Champion after winning three gold medal and two silver medals. California was the most awarded state with 35 total medals.
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.
