Prost! It’s Lucky Number 13 for Pelican Brewing Company’s uber-decorated Stormwatcher’s Winterfest English-style Barleywine which came out of the brewery’s vault to land it’s 13th Gold Medal—and 39 medals overall since 2003. The latest honor was bestowed at the European Beer Star international beer competition in Nuremberg. Beak Breaker Double India Pale Ale was decorated again with a Bronze at the prestigious European competition making it the seventh award since it was first brewed in 2016.
Pelican initially brewed Stormwatcher’s Winterfest as the perfect beer to savor on a stormy Oregon Coast day—its deep amber-red color, massive toasted malt, toffee and caramel aroma, and full-bodied malty flavor lead to a smooth, soft, warming finish. The floral aroma and flavor come from Hersbrucker & Goldings hops, while a rich, toasted malt sweetness balances a mild, subtle bitterness in the finish. Its big, warming flavor makes it the ideal complement to nasty weather!
Beak Bender has become a favorite of hopheads looking for great big punchy aromas. Pelican has been packing hop aroma into beer for over 20 years but Beak Breaker pays homage to big, hoppy aromatic innovation. With massive additions of Mosaic, Citra, and Centennial hops this beer delivers a bright citrus-tropical aroma with notes of ruby red grapefruit and sweet pine, blasting your olfactory sense—enough to break your beak! Beak Breaker is available year-round as part of Pelican’s core lineup.
“We are incredibly humbled to be recognized again at the European Beer Star—the judging is at an extremely high level, and the competition is fierce. To come away with two medals—gold and bronze—is truly an honor,” says Darron Welch, founding brewmaster Pelican Brewing Company.
There was record attendance at the 16th annual 2019 European Beer Star where 2,483 beers from 47 countries across all continents competed for recognition. A 145-member judges panel, master brewers, beer sommeliers and established beer connoisseurs from 28 countries took part in a two-day blind tasting to determine the winners of the Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for 67 different beer styles. Objective ranking criteria were applied like those beer consumers themselves utilize—appearance, foam, smell, taste and characteristics typical of the variety. This ensures transparency and the propriety of the evaluation process. Stefan Stang, Managing Director of the Bavarian private brewers’ association Private Brauereien Bayern, says this is one of the reasons the Beer Star competition has such a strong worldwide reputation. 
“The phenomenal rise of our competition shows how important artisanal brewing has become and the great variety of beers being produced,“ says Stang.
Welch continues to be one of the most decorated brewers in the Pacific Northwest, earning well over 450 medals including several Gold last year alone at the World Beer Cup, Australian International Beer Awards and North American Beer Awards.
For a list of all of Pelican’s award-winning beer, click here.
About Pelican Brewing Company
Pelican Brewing Company was born at the beach in 1996. Here, in front of a rundown old building at the water’s edge, stood three enthusiastic young folks whose thirst for great beer overshadowed their understanding of what it would take to build a brewery. They did it anyway. Thanks to the vision of founding owners Jeff Schons and Mary Jones, Oregon’s only beachfront brewpub became one of the state’s most popular destinations. And now twenty-four years later, Pelican Brewing Company is an iconic beach brand and one of the most decorated craft breweries in Oregon. Pelican has been honored with more than 450 awards including the prestigious 2015, 2016, 2017 Australian International Beer Awards Champion Medium International Brewery; 2014 World Beer Cup Champion Small Brewery; 2013 Great American Beer Festival Large Brewpub of the Year. Why? Pelican brews are playful, but not frivolous. Brewed with purpose, passion and a deep respect for the craft. Pelican operates brewing and brewpub facilities in Pacific City, Cannon Beach, and its state-of-the-craft brewery in Tillamook, Oregon where it brews 40,000 barrels of award-winning beer annually and distributes to six states. Pelican’s vision, its beer and values were born at the beach where the team wakes up each day in a place that reminds them that amazing is possible. Cheers, Fellow Fanatics!
For more information, visit Pelican Brewing Company.
Contact: Claudia Johnson, Public Relations, 503-799-2220
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