June 2007

The Howe Sound Brewing Company of Squamish, B.C., one B.C.'s most successful microbrewers, has just been awarded the coveted gold and bronze medals at North American Beer Awards recently announced by the North American Brewers Association.

Over 1,000 entries representing breweries from New York to Alaska, Canada and Mexico were judged at this prestigious event. Howe Sound received the Gold Medal for its Garibaldi Honey pale Ale, and a Bronze for its Oatmeal Stout.

The North American Beer Awards is a unique event sanctioned by the North American Brewers Association. The competition provides an opportunity for beers to be judged by qualified judges against the best beers in North America.

Howe Sound has been brewing hand crafted ales for nearly twelve years, but the North American Beer awards was its first competition. Howe Sound Brewery also operates an Inn, restaurant and brewpub at its Squamish location on Cleveland Avenue.

The Howe Sound Brewing Company opened as a brewpub in 1996 with John Mitchell as its Brew Master. Mr. Mitchell is widely known as the grandfather of craft brewing in North America. In 1980, he successfully lobbied the Province of BC to allow brewpubs to exist in the province. Mr. Mitchell went on to open Troller Pub Brewery in Horseshoe Bay and Spinnakers Pub Brewery in Victoria before joining the Howe Sound Brewing Company in 1996.

Howe Sound beer is now distributed at over 250 government and private liquor stores as well as on tap in many restaurants and pubs throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island. “Being one of the only Canadian breweries to receive recognition at this prestigious event has us celebrating,” announced David Fenn, President of Howe Sound Brewery. “It’s a fantastic acknowledgement of our quality products in advance of the Olympics coming to the Sea to Sky Corridor.”

The brewery has expanded significantly since the awards and produces 500,000 litres per year. The brewery is a traditional gravity fed system. The brewery is currently producing 12 styles of all-natural, all grain beers with full flavour.

For more information, contact:

John Ohler
Manager of Sales
1-800-919-ALES

David Fenn
President
hsibrew@howesound.com