Penrose Brewing Beer Gets Nod In National Competition

GENEVA, IL — Penrose Brewing Company was awarded a bronze medal at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival competition, which is the world’s largest commercial beer competition. The GABF, presented by the Brewers Association, recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States.

Penrose Brewing Company, which runs a small microbrewery in Geneva, was recognized in the Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale beer-style category for its Goofy Boots, a Juicy Midwest IPA hopped with Azacca, Citra and Mosaic hops that bring about flavors of Dried Mango, Candied Lime and Dank Citrus followed by a soft wheat finish, according to a news release.

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were awarded on October 5 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. There were 107 beer categories covering 174 different beer styles that received rewards.

Penrose Brewing Company prides itself in brewing small batch, fresh and innovative beers with an on-site taproom perfect for learning about new beer styles and sampling old favorites, according to a news release.

“We couldn’t be happier to win a GABF medal” said Tom Korder, co-founder and brewer at Penrose. “Our team takes a lot of pride in the beer that we make and to have it recognized on a national level is a great accomplishment for us.”

In the 33rd edition of the GABF competition, 9,497 entries were submitted to the general competition, along with 113 Pro-Am and 70 Collaboration entries. Beer submissions were made by 2,295 breweries from across the nation, with entries from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Judging took place over the course of three days, with an international panel of 322 judges from 18 countries, according to a news release.

“This year’s GABF competition was the largest and most competitive to date,” said Chris Swersey, competition manager for the Great American Beer Festival. “The beers and talent were as impressive as ever, and I’m thrilled to congratulate this year’s winners for their achievements in brewing.”

Other Chicago-area breweries to receive awards at this year’s competition include:

Scorched Earth Brewing Co. in Algonquin for its “Doppelbock” beer. Scorched Earth earned a silver in the German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock category.

Piece Brewery in Chicago for its “Swingin’ Single.” The veer received a silver in the Belgian- and French-Style Ale category.

Pollyanna Brewing Co., which has breweries in Lemont and Roselle, earned a gold in the American-Style Lager or American-Style Pilsener for its “Lite Reading” beer.

Ballast Brewing Company in Chicago received a bronze medal in the American-Stylr Cream Ale for its “Gold Style” beer.

Old Irving Brewing Co. received a gold medal in the Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale for its “beezer” beer.

Off Color Brewing in Chicago received a gold medal other Belgian-style beer for its “Very, Very Far” beer.

Light the Lamp Brewery in Grayslake received a silver medal in the Session Beer for its “Lite It!” beer.

Noon Whistle Brewing Co. in Lombard received a bronze medal in the South German-Style/Hefeweizen category for its “Leisel Weapon” beer.

Begyle Brewing received a gold medal in the wood- and barrel-aged strong stout category for its “Barrel Aged Imperial Pajamas” beer.