For Immediate Release 10/15/2003 Contact: Greg Koch, CEO, Stone Brewing Co. (760) 471-4999 x102 or greg@stonebrewing.com Stone Brewing Co. Recognized as One of America’s Fastest Growing Companies San Marcos, CA – The Stone Brewing Co. has again been named one of America's entrepreneurial growth leaders by Inc magazine, which this week released its 2003 Inc 500 ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The ranking appears in the magazine's current issue, now on newsstands. 2003 is the second year in a row that Stone Brewing --- founded by CEO Greg Koch and President / Brewmaster Steve Wagner --- has made it onto the prestigious Inc 500 list. "We appreciate the recognition of our continued strong growth as a company and our business acumen," said Koch. "However, the coolest part of our story is the 60-plus dedicated and passionate people at Stone that all have the common goal of making our beer amazing. If you had a Stone in your hand right now, you would understand the reason why we made the Inc 500 list for the second time in a row." With this philosophy, Stone has grown to be Southern California's largest and most successful craft brewer as well as Southern California's largest and most successful independent beer distributor. Additionally, Stone Brewing ranked an impressive #20 on the just-released San Diego Business Journal's list of "Fast-Growing Private Companies" that are headquartered in San Diego County. Opened in late July 1996, Stone Brewing recently celebrated its 7th Anniversary. Stone Brewing brews the popular Stone Pale Ale, Stone Smoked Porter, Stone IPA and Arrogant Bastard Ale along with the newly released Stone Ruination IPA and Stone Levitation Ale, and several other unique "Stone Special Releases." Stone Brews can currently be found in 18 states. For more information, go to www.stonebrewing.com or call the brewery at (760) 471-4999, x102.