California: Five Gold Awards Go To Eel River Brewing Co.

The results are in from the California State Fair Commercial Craft Brewing Competition: Eel River Brewing Co. came home with five gold awards and an assortment of silvers.

There were more than 475 entries from more than 60 breweries located all over California that participated in the annual commercial craft brewing competition.

Gold awards went to Eel River Brewing Co. for its Vanilla Stout, Triple Exultation, California Blonde, Hozier Hefeweizen and Hazelnut Porter.

Owners Ted and Margaret Vivatson said they were ecstatic about the results of the competition.

“When we go to state we always know we’re up against some big competition,” Ted said. “We can produce about 30 barrels a day and many of these brewers are producing far in excess of this. So taking home five golds – that’s big, that’s really big.”

What’s next in the Eel River Brewing Co. line-up?

Ted and Margaret said they’re already hard at work on some new innovative “tastes” but wouldn’t give a hint about the new flavors.

Margaret said with a smile, “We only unveil our new brews when we’re sure they’re perfect and as Ted likes to say, ‘We’re just having a heck of lot of fun for working so darn hard.’”

Eel River Brewing Co. features the largest beer garden on the North Coast and is located at 1777 Alamar Way in Fortuna. They are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Sunday.

Along with its full line of microbrews, the company also features a full dining menu. For more information, phone (707) 725-BREW or check out Eel River’s Web site at www.eelriverbrewing.com.

21 August, 2004