In 2002 Oskar Blues Brewery from Lyons, Colo., launched the Canned Beer Apocalypse by becoming the first U.S. craft brewery to package their flagship Dale’s Pale Ale in a can. Seven years later, the heart and soul of canned craft beer spoke loud and clear at the first annual Reno International Canned Beer Festival, CANFEST. Oskar Blues prevailed by taking home four of 13 medals including “Best In Show” with Gordon Ale, their challenging hybrid of an Imperial Red and Double IPA.
Competing against canned brewers from across the globe, Oskar Blues snatched the following awards:
Best in Show: Gordon Ale
Dark Ale Category: 1st Place, Gordon Ale
2nd Place, Old Chub Scottish Ale
Lager Category: 2nd Place, Mama’s Little Yella Pils
Oskar Blues is known for turning craft brewing on its ear by stuffing complex, three- and four- dimensional beers into 12 oz. cans. As cans become a fashionable package, Oskar Blues continues to walk-the-walk by brewing and canning beer they want to drink.
“We’re thrilled about the awards, but that’s not why we’re in the business. We continue to look ahead and push the limits into four-dimensional beers without looking over our shoulder,” says Oskar Blues founder and owner, Dale Katechis.
In addition to the competition, the event featured tastings from more than 25 breweries from around the globe and information about the history of American beer, craft beer, the environmental and quality benefits of cans and the current trend of canned craft beer.
Set in the heart of Colorado craft beer country, Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons, began canning its beers in November of 2002 with a hand-canning line in the 60-year-old barn next door to their funky little brew-pub. Today, it’s expanded into a full throttle canning operation that continues to push the limits of what to expect out of canned beer.
