For Immediate Release
8/16/2005
Greg Koch / Stone Brewing Co.
(760) 471-4999

Stone Brewing Named #1,
#2, #1, #3, & One of Five

San Marcos, CA --- In the world of craft beers, Stone Brewing is known for being at the top of not just their game, but the game.

In the July/August 2005 issue of Zymurgy, the readers of the popular homebrew magazine voted Stone Brewing as their #1 favorite brewery in the world.  Considered the “handbook” for beer enthusiasts, homebrewers, and beer geeks, Zymurgy is the most popular publication for the budding beer aficionado. Stone was ranked not only the #1 brewery, but also the brewery with the #2 best portfolio of beers (#1 ranked was Oregon’s Rogue Ales).

"I like to think that our readers are among the most discerning and discriminating of beer drinkers,” said Zymurgy Editor-in-Chief Jim Parker. “Most of them are brewers themselves, so they appreciate beer with complexity and character. Stone's beers don't just sit in a glass, they reach out, grab you by the tongue and slap you around a bit. That makes them memorable and I think that's why our readers find them appealing."

Stone Brewing is no stranger to accolades, awards, and setting standards in the growing American craft beer movement.  2004 craft brewing industry growth results recently published by both Modern Brewery Age and New Brewer Magazine, confirmed that Stone Brewing has been the #1 fastest growing brewery in the USA since the brewery was founded in 1996. Not really a surprise for a brewery whose most modest year-over-year growth percentage was 31%!

In June, website RateBeer.com announced the results of “The World’s Largest Beer Competition,” by compiling ratings of 30,000 different beers from over 4,000 brewers. RateBeer's total archive includes over a half million beer ratings collected on its Internet servers from tasters worldwide. According to the results reported in USA Today, Stone Brewing Co. was ranked the #3 brewery in the world.  CNN/Money.com was inspired to write “Today, there's a new hot spot to drink a cold one: San Diego.”

Bon Appétit, “America’s Food And Entertaining Magazine” is no stranger to the virtues of great beer, and named Stone Brewing’s Arrogant Bastard Ale as one of their “Five Beers To Try” in the July 2005 edition…appropriately called “The Best of Summer” issue. 

Founded in 1996, the Stone Brewing Co. is one of the fastest growing breweries in the country. Additionally, Stone Brewing is one of the highest rated breweries in the world according to both RateBeer.com and BeerAdvocate.com. Stone Brewing Co. is currently open for tours and tastings every Friday from 3-6pm and Saturday from 11-3pm, at [OLD ADDRESS REMOVED]. Stone Brewing will move in late 2005 to 1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, CA. For more information, go to www.stonebrewing.com.