Calling All Homebrewers From Coast To Coast: Samuel Adams Pits East Vs. West In A Homebrew Battle

BOSTON, March 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- From sports matchups to the country's top burger joints, East vs. West is a classic rivalry, and Samuel Adams is throwing it to the American homebrewing community to let them settle the score. The brewers at Samuel Adams today announce a call for entries for the 2015 LongShot American Homebrew Contest, which for the first time ever will feature a new battle of "East vs. West", with one creative homebrew chosen from each side of the Mississippi. Winners will be announced at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival in Denver, with the entries from two winning homebrewers, as well as one Samuel Adams employee winner, available in the Samuel Adams LongShot variety six-pack in 2016. Those interested in entering can visit www.samueladams.com/longshot for contest rules, regulations and information on purchasing a homebrewing kit. The homebrew submission window is May 1- 16, 2015.

Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams, has hosted the annual LongShot homebrew contest for nearly 20 years to celebrate American homebrewers who continue to create innovative, full-flavored brews and challenge the notion of what beer can be, just as Jim did in his kitchen over 30 years ago when he brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager. Since that time, American craft beer has undergone a revolution, with more than 3,000 brewers currently operating, compared to about 50 in 1984. The steady growth of America's craft brewing community is thanks in large part to homebrewers and craft brewers like Jim Koch, who are resilient, unafraid to challenge the status quo, and passionate about pushing the limits of craft beer. Past LongShot American Homebrew Contest winners have gone on to become professional brewers, turning their homebrewing hobby into a full-time career. The most recent example is Cesar Marron, winner of the 2013 LongShot American Homebrew Contest, who opened Sketchbook Brewing Company in Evanston, IL following his win.

"There are more breweries currently operating in the U.S. than at almost any time in our country's history, and the Samuel Adams LongShot contest aims to recognize American homebrewers as the true driving force behind this growth," said Jim Koch. "Without the unrelenting innovation and creativity of homebrewers, our craft beer culture wouldn't be nearly as vibrant and exciting as it is today."

While Samuel Adams is accepting entries for the 2015 contest, the Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest variety six-pack with winning brews from the 2014 winners will be available nationwide in select retail stores this spring. This year's winners include Forestville, California resident Greg Rasmussen, Smithtown, New York resident Matthew Knott and Brooklyn, NY resident and Samuel Adams employee John Marra. The variety pack will include two bottles each of Greg's "Raspy's Robust Porter," Matthew's "Smokehouse Rauchbier" and John's "Dark Night in Brooklyn" Dunkelweiss.

About the 2014 winners:

• Greg Rasmussen's "Raspy's Robust Porter": This traditional robust porter is full of complex malt flavors. The variety of malts in this beer contribute flavors of cocoa, coffee, toffee, and slight vanilla to create a wonderful roasted yet balanced beer. This gorgeous mahogany porter has a roasty and chocolate aroma. The beer is complemented by slight citrus and earthy notes from the US and UK hops.
• Matthew Knott's "Smokehouse Rauchbier": This deep copper colored Rauchbier has all of the flavors you would expect in this traditional style: smoky, slightly savory with a malty sweetness and roastiness. The smoky flavors are balanced by a light toffee malt character and slight citrus from the hops. The brew finishes with a lingering smokiness, sweetness and subtle hop character..
• John Marra's "Dark Night in Brooklyn" Dunkelweiss: This beer is brewed with a traditional Bavarian yeast that contributes to the variety of aromas and flavors. The aroma is characterized with notes of tropical fruits and clove. The malted wheat contributes a bright clean cereal note, which complements the spicy flavors of clove, nutmeg, banana and a slight sweetness.

Learn more:

• To enter the contest visit: www.samueladams.com/longshot
• For Samuel Adams recipes and pairing suggestions visit www.samueladams.com
• For additional information and to locate a retailer visit www.samueladams.com

Samuel Adams, Boston Lager, LongShot, and American Homebrew Contest are registered trademarks of The Boston Beer Company.

ABOUT THE BOSTON BEER COMPANY:

The Boston Beer Company began in 1984 with a generations-old family recipe that Founder and Brewer Jim Koch uncovered in his father's attic. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life in his kitchen.  Pleased with the results of his work, Jim decided to sample his beer with bars in Boston in the hopes that drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavored beer he brewed fresh in America.  That beer was aptly named Samuel Adams Boston Lager, in recognition of one of our nation's great founding fathers, a man of independent mind and spirit.  Little did Jim know at the time, Samuel Adams Boston Lager would soon become a catalyst of the American craft beer revolution.

Today, The Boston Beer Company brews more than 60 styles of beer.  It relentlessly pursues the development of new styles and the perfection of classic beers by searching the world for the finest ingredients.  Using the traditional four vessel brewing process, the Company often takes extra steps like dry-hopping, barrel-aging and a secondary fermentation known as krausening. The Company has also pioneered another revolution, the 'extreme beer' movement, where it seeks to challenge drinker's perceptions of what beer can be. The Boston Beer Company has been committed to elevating the image of American craft beer by entering festivals and competitions around the globe, and is one of world's most awarded breweries at international beer competitions. As an independent company, brewing quality beer remains its single focus. Although Samuel Adams beer is America's largest-selling craft beer, it accounts for only one percent of the U.S. beer market.  The Boston Beer Company will continue its independently-minded quest to brew great beer and to advocate for the growth of craft beer across America. For more information, please visit www.samueladams.com.

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