The Official Beer of the Burger™, Amstel Light®, Serves Up Unmatched Flavor at Seventh Annual Amstel Light Burger Bash

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Feb. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Say hello to the Official Beer of the Burger™! As part of Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival's annual celebration of the burger, the Amstel Light Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray on Friday, February 22, Amstel Light representatives today proudly announced its new designation as the Official Beer of the Burger.  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130213/NY59353LOGO )

Known for its unique combination of barley and hops and its full, never-diluted flavor, Amstel Light is the ideal match for the most mouthwatering, inventive and unique recipes that will be unveiled at this year's iconic burger competition.

"Amstel Light is dedicated to taste. It is the Official Beer of the Burger and the only light beer with a full flavor strong enough to stand up to the most unique burger creations unveiled by world-class chefs at the Festival's Burger Bash® each year," said Matt Kahn, Vice President of Marketing for portfolio brands at HEINEKEN USA." We are thrilled to partner with the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival for the seventh year, and we know Amstel Light will be the perfect pairing for the incredible recipes showcased at this iconic event."

As title sponsor of the Amstel Light Burger Bash hosted by Food Network's Rachael Ray, Amstel Light will be on tap while celebrity chefs and burger connoisseurs from kitchens around the world showcase their most delicious recipes. Renowned chefs will compete to win the coveted Amstel Light People's Choice Award, brought home for the past three years by Chef Michael Symon of B Spot in Cleveland.  

Chef Paul Malvone, co-founder of Boston Burger Co., will serve up burgers as the official Amstel Light Burger Bash Chef.  Malvone is attending thanks to his recent win in the Boston Magazine Battle of the Burger for his "Hot Mess Burger," including bacon, jalapenos, sweet potato fries and dripping American cheese between two Thousand Island dressed buns. Known for his passion and excitement around messy, yet delicious burger creations, Malvone will give festival-goers the chance to sample the "Hot Mess" for themselves at Burger Bash®.

"My burger will be as mouth-watering as it looks and will be a true testament to the Amstel Light commitment of providing fans with flavor," said Malvone. "As a self-proclaimed burger junkie, I'm so excited and honored to participate on behalf of Amstel Light for this year's Burger Bash®."

Adult guests over the age of 21 at the 2013 Amstel Light Burger Bash will also have the unique opportunity to sample Amstel Wheat™, a traditional European Hefeweizen that was released in select U.S. markets in 2011. Touted as "the Bier Drinker's Wheat," Amstel Wheat is the latest addition to the Amstel portfolio.

All proceeds from the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival benefit the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Florida International University.  Tickets and more information can be found at www.sobefest.com.

For more details about Amstel Light, visit www.amstellight.com and www.facebook.com/amstellight or follow us on Twitter @AmstelLight. For updates from Paul Malvone during Amstel Light Burger Bash, follow him on Twitter @BostonBurgerCo.

About HEINEKEN USA
HEINEKEN USA Inc., the nation's leading upscale beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, the world's most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken Lager, the world's most international beer brand, Heineken Light, Amstel Light, Newcastle Brown Ale, and Strongbow cider. HEINEKEN USA also imports the Dos Equis portfolio, Tecate portfolio, Sol, Indio, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For a safe ride home, download the HEINEKEN USA-sponsored Taxi Magic™ application from your smartphone at taximagic.heineken.com.

Contact: 

Katherine Stein, Edelman
(212) 704-8183; (646) 784-5438
[email protected]

Dave Brigandi, Edelman
(212) 704-8177; (347) 790-4751
[email protected]

Adam Feigen, HEINEKEN USA
(914) 681-4138; (914) 260-2807
[email protected]

SOURCE HEINEKEN USA Inc.