Kelsen Brewing Medals at Great International Beer Festival

18 Nov 2014 --- Kelsen Brewing Company, one of the newest craft breweries in New Hampshire, has once again been awarded multiple medals at an international beer competition. Kelsen recently competed in the prestigious 2014 Great International Beer Festival.

Kelsen Brewing is pleased to announce that its Draken Robust Porter won the Gold Medal in the category of Robust Porter and its Paradigm Brown Ale took home the Bronze Medal in the category of American Brown Ale.

The 18th annual Great International Beer & Cider Competition was held in Providence RI, alongside the 21st Great International Beer Festival (GIBF). Seven hundred ten (710) beers and ciders from breweries and cideries across the U.S. and from around the world entered the competition. One hundred-twenty (120) professional brewers, beer industry professionals (retail and distribution) and beer journalists acted as judges in a blind tasting format. The judges knew only the style and subcategory of each beer and cider. First, second and third place awards were presented in 55 categories of ales, lagers and ciders

Kelsen opened its brewery doors only eight months ago and this is the second international beer competition in which Kelsen received multiple medals. In July, Kelsen’s Paradigm Brown Ale won a Gold Medal in the US Open Beer Championships and their Double Battle Axe Imperial IPA won a Bronze Medal.

“Our Paradigm Brown Ale was our favorite beer to brew when we were homebrewers. We searched store shelves trying to find a beer that had the same flavor and aroma profile and we couldn’t find one. We thought it had a chance to be a standout beer on the professional level,” said Paul Kelly, co-founder of Kelsen Brewing.  “Winning medals at two large international competitions really validates that this beer is something special”.

Erik Olsen, the other Kelsen Brewing co-founder commented on the Draken Robust Porter Gold Medal, “We spent a lot of time formulating the recipe and process for Draken.  We love dark beers that are rich and complex in flavor and that have great mouthfeel.  We wanted to bring in subtle flavors of raisins and currants that you might fine in a big bold red wine.  Those rich dark fruit flavors are a great compliment to the roasty, chocolate malt backbone in Draken. We love the way this beer came together and we are very appreciative of the recognition.”

Kelsen Brewing is distributed only by the New Hampshire Craft Alliance, which includes Bellavance Beverage Company, Clarke Distributors, White Mountain Distributors and New Hampshire Distributors.