The Whole Hog Brewery Wins at GABF with Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale

(Stevens Point, WI) – The Whole Hog Brewery received a silver medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition.  Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. The top three winners in the competition’s 102 beer-style categories were announced September 22 at the Great American Beer Festival awards ceremony held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

The Whole Hog Brewery was recognized in the Pumpkin/Squash Beer or Pumpkin Spice beer-style category for its Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale, a savory, perfectly-balanced pumpkin ale brewed with pumpkin pie spices, natural cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin puree.

Since its introduction in 2009, Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale  has received numerous awards, including a gold medal at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival, a bronze medal in the 2014 Great American Beer Festival, and a gold medal in the 2015 European Beer Star.  The Whole Hog Brewery is located in Stevens Point, WI.  Specializing in “next level brews,” the Whole Hog Brewery prides itself in developing innovative and outstanding craft beers.

“Everyone at our brewery is delighted with this prestigious award honoring Whole Hog Pumpkin Ale,” said Whole Hog Brewery Brewmaster Mike Schraufnagel.  “This medal confirms what we strive for: brewing high-quality, next-level craft brews.”

The 2018 GABF competition winners were selected by an international panel of 293 expert judges from 8,496 entries, received from 2,404 U.S. breweries, plus 101 Pro-Am and 49 Collaboration entries.

“The 32nd edition of the GABF competition yielded a remarkable turnout of the country’s most exemplary beers,” said Chris Swersey, competition manager, Great American Beer Festival. “I’m continuously impressed by contenders’ talent and passion and would like to extend congratulations to this year’s winners for their excellence in brewing.”

For more GABF competition information, including the 2018 winners list and photos, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.

The Whole Hog Brewery, located in Stevens Point, WI, is proud to craft the biggest, boldest brews they can envision.   In addition to Pumpkin Ale, the Whole Hog Brewery offers two additional seasonal brews: Whole Hog Cold Nikita Russian Imperial Stout, a bold malty stout with roasted coffee aromas available in the winter months; and Whole Hog Peach Hefeweizen, a fruit-forward golden hefeweizen available in the summer months.

The Whole Hog Brewery also offers four year-round “Next Level” craft brews: Whole Hog Cuppa Espresso Stout, aged on Espresso Dolce and Sumatra coffee beans; Whole Hog JP’s Casper White Stout, a golden stout with flavors of white chocolate and vanilla; Whole Hog Lord James Wee Heavy Scotch Ale, with sweet notes of toffee and caramel; Whole Hog 6-Hop Imperial IPA, a big and balanced IPA brewed with six varieties of hops.