It was just announced by the Colorado Brewers Guild. That the Oskar Blues Brewery won the 2010 Colorado Brewers Guild President’s Award. Congrats to the folks from the Oskar Blues brewery drink one for us.

Here’s the official press release.

Lyons, Colo. — Oskar Blues efforts supporting the Colorado Craft Beer movement were recognized with the 2010 President’s Award at the Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) Annual Meeting prior to the Colorado Brewers Rendezvous in Salida on July 10, 2010. In the past year Oskar Blues has increased capacity and quality of brewing, gotten as much national and local press as most companies can hope for in a lifetime, driven demand beyond supply, continued to evolve into a major player in the craft beer industry and raised money and awareness for the great craft beer culture Colorado has spawned. “The Guild is fortunate to have Oskar Blues as a member”, said John Carlson, CBG Executive Director. “Oskar Blues is a creative force on the Colorado beer scene.”

The CBG, founded in 1995, is a non-profit trade association advocating on behalf of Colorado Craft Brewers. It represents more than 95 percent of craft beer production in Colorado. The Guild hosts its biggest event of the year, the Colorado Brewers Rendezvous (CBR), every year in July in Salida, Colo., an idyllic, relaxed, casual setting along the Arkansas River. Each year CBR provides Colorado Beer Lovers a pure Colorado Craft Beer experience in a family-friendly environment. The event benefits CBG and the Town of Salida Chamber of Commerce.

Oskar Blues demonstrated outstanding support of CBG operations including:
— Fundraiser for CBG: Oskar Blues raised revenue for the CBG, with its Burning Can event, illustrating to other brewers how to raise funds for the guild and have fun at the same time.
— CBG Events: Oskar Blues sales representatives and event crews support CBG events like the Colorado Brewers Rendezvous.
— Legislative Support: Oskar Blues Owner Dale Katechis and President John Bryant testified against the grocery bill, a bill that would have negatively affected the craft beer culture of Colorado.
— Chad Melis, Oskar Blues marketing director is the CBG marketing chair, leading marketing functions to develop additional brewery and Colorado Beer Lover membership, funding and exposure for the Guild and Colorado’s craft brewers.

Oskar Blues, the leader in the canned craft beer industry and culture, continues to keep an eye on legislation that will negatively impact the craft beer industry and continues efforts to support the CBG and craft beer brewers throughout Colorado. Oskar Blues is committed to breaking the mold and changing what beer lovers believe about canned craft beer. Oskar Blues’ next events to support the CBG and other craft brewers will take place during the Great American Beer Festival.

###

ABOUT OSKAR BLUES
Three-dimensional brewing since 1999, Oskar Blues began the “Canned Beer Apocalypse” in 2002 when Dale’s Pale Ale became America’s 1st CANNED craft beer. For additional info, interviews, images or samples please contact Chad Melis at chad@oskarblues.com, 720.273.8888 or visit www.oskarblues.com.

ABOUT COLORADO BREWERS GUILD
The Colorado Brewers Guild, a trade association dedicated to the Colorado craft brewing industry, facilitates educational beer activities in Colorado. The CBG sponsors a variety of beer events throughout the state each year designed to increase awareness and appreciation of Colorado brewed beer. For information about the Colorado Brewers Guild and its member breweries: www.coloradobeer.org.