Their 4th gold medal and 5th overall, for their Kölsch-style, Chuckanut Brewery takes Gold in the Kölsch category at the Great American Beer Festival.

image courtesy Chuckanut Brewery

Press Release

Chuckanut Brewery’s Kolsch German Style Ale has won Gold at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) 2021 competion. The Brewers Association (BA) awarded 290 medals to 265 breweries across the country during the 2021 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) awards ceremony in the largest competition to date with over 9,000 beers entered. The best beers in 97 beer categories covering 175 different beer styles (including all subcategories) were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals during the 35th edition of the celebrated competition. 

Chuckanut Kolsch is no stranger to awards from the GABF. To date this is the 4th Gold Medal for Kolsch from the GABF competition since being entered in 2011 (2011, 2015, 2017) plus a Silver Medal in 2012. Kolsch is a light bodied German style Ale originating from the city of Cologne. The yeast in Chuckanut Kolsch is a proprietary yeast that came from the city of Cologne! Chuckanut’s Brewmaster Will Kemper started using the yeast when he was brewing in Istanbul, Turkey where his assistant brewer from Cologne recommended using it. Kolsch beer uses a yeast that can work at colder temperatures as opposed to typical ale yeast. This style of beer is known as a crossover beer since it is aged at very cold temperatures just above freezing. This cold resting period helps to make this effervescent, golden ale dry and refreshing with a crisp finish. Great with light foods or by itself as a thirst quenching beverage, Kolsch is traditionally served in its own “stange” glass to be refilled generously!

Chuckanut Brewery, located at both 601 West Holly St, Bellingham and 11937 Higgins Airport Way in Burlington, was awarded National Small Brewery/Brewer of the Year 2011 at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, CO. Currently both the South and North Nut offer on-site beverages, to-go beer and pick-up for kegs, growlers and bottles of Chuckanut beer. Guests of all ages are welcome at both locations. A full menu at North Nut can be eaten on site, to go or delivered. The South Nut Skagit Tap Room & Brewery in Burlington is located at the Port of Skagit. Please check out additional information on Covid requirements and more about Chuckanut at www.chuckanutbrewery.com