One (of many) of the highlights of the Craft Beer Conference hosted at the Music City Center earlier this month was the announcement of the winners of the annual World Beer Cup, considered one of the most prestigious global beer competitions. This year, more than 8,000 entries were judged from breweries in 68 countries, and of all those beers, four Tennessee brews actually brought home some hardware.
The sole Tennessee gold medal was awarded to the notable Chattanooga-based Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. for their American-style black ale titled Bivouac Black IPA. A silver medal went to Nashville Brewing Co., a venture started by local beer historian Scott Mertie, where he partners with Blackstone Brewing Co. to produce beers in the style of what Nashvillians brewed in the late 1800s. His Nashville Lager, a Muenchner-style helles, is a deliciously crisp example of the style.
But only one Tennessee brewery brought home two medals from the World Beer Cup, and it was Fat Bottom Brewing! They won a silver medal for their bourbon barrel-aged oatmeal stout, The Baroness. Named after Baroness Bertha von Suttner, the first female to win a Nobel Peace Prize, this smooth and spicy chocolate bomb is a delightful beer.
Fat Bottom's other award winner was Wallflower Spring Saison, a Belgian-style fruit beer that won a bronze. A little hint of prickly pear contributes both color and sweetness to the saison, and it apparently impressed the judges.
Congrats to all Tennessee winners for showing out in our hometown in front of those 13,000-plus craft brewers who were here for the convention. And now is the time for Nashvillians to celebrate our own. City Tap Nashville will host a Fat Bottom Medal Winners Happy Hour on their rooftop space, CT10, this Thursday, May 17, starting at 5 p.m. To celebrate Fat Bottoms’ medal wins in the World Beer Cup, all their beers will be available for $6 to $10.
Here’s what they’ll be tapping for the event:
The Baroness
Collaboration Nation w/ Monday Night Brewing Dry-Hopped Lager
Collaboration Nation w/ Goodwood Brewing Co Belgian Ale with Tea
2 Hop Shakur
No need to RSVP; just show up and celebrate! City Tap Nashville is located at 204 Third Ave. S.
