Three Durango breweries went up against competitors from around the globe at the World Beer Cup and will come home with medals.

“We represented Durango well,” said Kris Oyler, Steamworks co-founder.

The competition is held every two years, and it is considered the Olympics of beer contests.

Steamworks Brewing Company’s Steam Engine Lager won gold in the American-style Amber Lager category, which had 59 entries. The lager first started winning medals in the late 1990s, Oyler said.

“We’re super, super stoked that it keeps winning medals,” he said.

Carver Brewing Company’s Irish Stout earned the silver medal in the Classic Irish-style Dry Stout category, which had 42 entries. None of the medalists were from Ireland.

And a bronze medal went to Ska Brewing Company’s True Blonde in the English-style Summer Ale category, which had 30 entries.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our brewers and the consistency they continue to show across the board with all of our beers,” said Dave Thibodeau, co-founder and president of Ska in a news release. “There’s nothing better than a win at the World Beer Cup.”

Awards were given in 96 categories, which is fairly standard for a competition of this size. The categories continue to expand as breweries get more innovative, Oyler said.

Beers were judged according to taste, aroma and appearance, according to Ska’s news release.

Ska Brewing also recently won two bronze medals Los Angeles International Beer Competition, one for True Blonde and one for Rudie Session IPA.

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Herald Staff