Karl Strauss Two Tortugas Belgian Quad Wins Big at GABF!

San Diego, CA – October 4, 2011 This past weekend, Karl Strauss Brewing Company participated in the 30th annual Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado and won a Bronze Medal for its upcoming Holiday Ale release, Two Tortugas Belgian Quad. The Holiday Ale competed in the Belgian-style Abbey Ale category and beat out 73 other entries. Two Tortugas was the only Belgian-style Quadruple Ale to medal in the Belgian-style Abbey category, which also included Belgian Dubbels and Tripels.
 
Two Tortugas is the second installment of the Company’s 12 Days of Christmas holiday series, naming each beer with a San Diego twist. After several test batches, the brewers landed on a recipe that showcases dark fruit flavors and a spicy Belgian yeast character. The winter warmer finishes smooth at 11.1% ABV, making it an ideal beer to enjoy this season, or lay down and enjoy for years to come. “We wanted to brew a big, complex Belgian beer that will continue to develop and change over time,” said Karl Strauss Head Brewer, Matt Johnson. “Right now the beer is very malty with a definite warming character. Over time, the spiciness will become more prevalent and the caramel malt flavors will evolve into dark fruit flavors like raisins and plums.” The Holiday ale will be available to the public in mid-November, with a preview tasting at the “Reverse Tap Takeover” LA Beer Week event on October 13, 2011.
 
The winners were announced during the Members-Only session of the GABF at the Denver Convention Center. The GABF is the world’s largest beer competition, with more than 3,930 beers entered from 526 breweries in 48 states. Karl Strauss was one of 466 breweries pouring their beer to more than 49,000 festival attendees. In addition to attending the festival, Matt Johnson judged five categories in the competition that the company did not enter. “After going through the judging process, this win means even more,” says Matt. “The judging is completely blind and each judge really takes the process very seriously. To win in a category with so many entries and so many rounds of judging, feels like a huge accomplishment.” The GABF winners were selected by an international panel of 167 beer judges from 11 countries. Judges critiqued 83 beer categories covering 134 beer styles, choosing the best commercial examples to represent each style.
 
For more information about the Great American Beer Festival winners visit http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com. To purchase tickets to the “Reverse Tap Takeover” visit www.karlstrauss.com. Share it, cheers.
 
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San Diego may not top the list for birdwatchers but it certainly tops the list for beer-drinkers. And while you’re more likely to spot a Sea Turtle than a Turtle Dove, tracking down a world class beer is easy. Two Tortugas is the 2nd addition to our less than literal “Twelve Days” series of holiday ales. This Belgian-inspired Quadruple Ale has a delicate union of toffee, dark fruits, and warming spices that will continue to develop with age. Raise a glass to 2011 or save a bottle for 2021, this turtle’s got legs.   

Specs:
11.1% ABV
35 SRM   
25 IBU

Ingredients
Malts: Pale, White Wheat, CaraBelge, Cara Munich II
Hops: Bravo, Willamette
Yeast: Belgian Abbey
Adjuncts: Dark Belgian Candy Sugar

Available: 22oz and on draft mid November, 2011

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About Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating 22 years of brewing in San Diego. From humble roots, a big vision, and the desire to share handcrafted beer with America’s Finest, Karl Strauss has grown from one brewery restaurant to a local institution—brewing 34,000 barrels in 2010 and operating six successful brewery restaurants across Southern California.  The company has not strayed from its pioneering roots with new releases like Big Barrel IIPA and Whistler Imperial Pils, while still capturing hearts and the 2010 WBC and GABF gold medals for long-time favorites like Red Trolley Ale.  With distribution solely in California, Karl Strauss is ranked #44 on the list of the country’s top craft breweries. For more information visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739.

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