Craft Beer: Love American Style

Escondido, San Diego County, CA --- The Brewers Association has designated May 15-21, 2006 as American Craft Beer Week: A time for all legal-drinking-age Americans to explore and celebrate the flavorful beers produced by our small, traditional and independent brewers. Craft brewers, often known as “micro breweries,” produce flavorful beers that combine classic European recipes with bold American innovation. One such brewery that is leading the charge is San Diego County’s Stone Brewing Co., which will be celebrating all week long at the brewery’s beautiful new facility in Escondido.

In 1980 the American brewing renaissance began and rapidly increased the number of brewers in the United States—so much so that by 1997 more breweries were operating here than in all of Germany. As a result, the majority of Americans now live within ten miles of a small independent brewery. Fans of Stone Brewing are familiar with their big, bold beers such as Stone Ruination IPA, Stone Smoked Porter, and the infamous Arrogant Bastard Ale, to name but a few.

American Craft Beer Week was established to bring attention to the artisan beers produced by small, craft breweries. In true Stone fashion the brewery will be pushing the envelope during American Craft Beer Week and offering their devoted followers with specials above and beyond anything the brewery has ever done. “We’re so enthusiastic about bringing people’s attention to all of the great craft breweries this country has to offer, that we’re willing to pull out all the stops to do it,” said Stone CEO Greg Koch.

During American Craft Beer Week Stone will be offering special pricing on growler fills – large refillable bottles used in the craft beer industry – along with specials on pint glasses, pints of beer, and even fresh deli sandwiches made daily. In addition Stone will be featuring special beers on tap throughout the week. Furthermore, Stone will be setting up an “Ask The Beer Expert” desk in the Stone Company Store which will be hosted daily by representatives from Stone: President & Brewmaster Steve Wagner, CEO Greg Koch, new Head Brewer Mitch Steele, and Lead Brewer John Egan. Also scheduled to appear from the San Diego craft brewing community are Tomme Arthur, Head Brewer at Port Brewing Co., Peter Zien of AleSmith Brewing Co., and Shawn DeWitt from Coronado Brewing Co.

Stone Brewing Co. is located in Escondido, CA and 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 is open for tours and tastings Monday-Friday from Noon-6pm and on Saturdays from11am-5pm. For more info go to www.stonebrewing.com, or call the brewery at 760.471.4999, x1500.