Back in 2008 we walked away with Two Medals at the Canadian Brewing Awards, held in Toronto, ON. This was the 6th Annual Competition with over 50 breweries and 239 individual beers entered.

In our first competition, Fernie Brewing won medals in 2 out of 3 categories. The ROCKY MOUNTAIN GENUINE LAGER won Silver in the European Style Lager Category. Our FIRST TRAX BROWN ALE won the Bronze in the Brown Ale Category.

The Canadian Brewing Awards is a blind tasting competition to see who brews the best beer in 21 style categories. A panel of 14 Certified Beer Judges considered 5 Criteria when judging: appearance, aroma, flavour, mouth-feel and overall impression.

"We make great beer, and it is nice to be recognized on a national level", said Warren Smith, Head Brewer for Fernie Brewing. "Since moving into our new brewery, our new water filtration system has enhanced the flavour of our beers dramatically. We are extremely pleased with the quality of our brews, and I guess the judges were too!" Smith admits the Rocky Mountain Genuine Lager has gone through a bit of a change, with a new style of yeast, and some slight changes in the hops and malts. And that change has paid off big time for the local brewery. "Not only for winning a medal, but our Lager sales are up by 62%," says Sales Manager Murray Pask, "and to win 2 medals in such highly competitive categories is outstanding, as almost every microbrewery brews a lager and a brown ale".

And now, two years on, their brown ale is still failing to disappoint. In May 2010, FBC walked away with a Silver, this time in the People's Choice Award at the Calgary International Beer Festival 2010. Again it was their FERNIE FIRST TRAX BROWN that brought them the recognition and the coveted award.

With their two new bottled products now hitting the shelves, we eagerly look forwards to seeing what's in store this summer season and beyond...