Competing against large and small breweries from throughout the world, Steamworks Brewing Co. has earned a Bronze medal at the Australian International Beer Awards. The brewery’s Colorado Kölsch was recognized as among the finest in the world.

The Australian International Beer Awards (AIBA), held by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RAS) in conjunction with The University of Ballarat, is the pre-eminent showcase for premium beer and brewing excellence in the Asia Pacific Region. One thousand, eighty-four entries from 217 breweries in 42 countries were received for the 2008 AIBA, securing its place as the second largest beer competition of its type in the world. Steamworks’ officials were notified early Monday, April 14 of the award.

“The Aussies have spoken,” said Brian McEachron, Steamworks director of marketing and sales. “Steamworks competed with some of the finest breweries in the world – including many from and where the Kölsch originated.”

Steamworks’ Colorado Kölsch is a derivative of the German Kölschs, which were created in response to the popular lager-based Pilsners being produced in the Czech Republic in the 1840s. According to McEachron, Steamworks’ variety is a light, crisp ale with a hint of sweetness.

 “And it’s very refreshing,” added McEachron. “The credit for the Kölsch definitely goes to our Durango head brewer Ken Martin. He’s obviously perfected the recipe.”

According to press materials from the AIBA, a bronze medal beer signifies “a quality product with the correct balance of taste, aroma and appearance appropriate for the style and the absence of major faults.”

"The Australian International Beer Awards, which is now the second largest awards of its type in the world, are certainly living up to their international status with entries received from well-known beer producing countries including, Germany, the US, United Kingdom, Belgium, New Zealand and the Czech Republic," said Professor David Battersby, University of Ballarat Vice-Chancellor. "Additionally, entries arrived from lesser-known beer making countries including, Sri Lanka, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, Poland, Japan, Honduras, Vietnam, El Salvador, Latvia, Cyprus, Myanmar, Slovak Republic, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Chile and Romania."

Further information on the Australian competition is available at http://www.beerawards.com.