No-Li Brewhouse is officially Spokane’s only national and international award-winning brewery after bringing home yet another gold from what’s likely the most prestigious competition in the world: Great American Beer Festival (GABF).
In its GABF debut, No-Li’s Crystal Bitter Ale took gold in one of the most competitive categories – extra special bitter.
GABF competition awarded 254 medals to some of the best commercial breweries in the United States. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and a symbol of brewing excellence.
Award-winning brewers received prestigious gold, silver and bronze medals in 84 beer categories covering 134 different beer styles (encompassing subcategories), establishing the best examples of each style in the U.S. Winners were chosen from 4,338 competition entries from 666 breweries, hailing from 48 states, Washington, D.C. and Guam.
Matching its largest field of entries to date, this year’s GABF competition saw its biggest panel of judges ever, with 185 beer experts from 11 countries participating, with assistance from 120 competition volunteers.
No-Li Ales also recently raked in not one, but two medals, in their very first international competition, with a gold to Crystal Bitter and a silver for Born & Raised IPA from the 2012 International Beer Competition held in Yokohama, Japan.
The International Beer Competition (IBC) is the most prestigious beer competition held in Japan and has been running annually since 1996. It is open to beers brewed anywhere in the world and provides the opportunity for international beers to compete against some of Japan’s finest craft and commercial brews.
“One of the intriguing things about brewing is that it is a blend of science and art. That keeps it fascinating,” said Mark Irvin, co-founder of No-Li Brewhouse. “We sent No-Li beers to our first-ever GABF event not expecting a medal but a great experience. The fact that came away with a gold medal was honor for our home town of Spokane!”
No-Li produces 22-ounce bottles as well as draft brands in four styles: Silent Treatment Pale, Born & Raised IPA, Crystal Bitter and Jet Star Imperial IPA.
