NECTAR NEWS

Pale Nectar is Golden at GABF

October, 2005—Pale Nectar was golden at the prestigious 2005 Great American Beer Festival, taking the lone Gold Medal in the category of American Style Pale Ale, which was the third largest category of the competition with 74 total entries. Firestone Walker Brewing Company, brewer of Nectar Ales, has now earned five medals (three gold, one silver and one bronze) in the American Style Pale Ale category over the past five years at this annual judging.

Firestone Walker Completes Acquisition of Nectar Ales

April, 2005—Firestone Walker Brewing Company this month announced the completion of its acquisition of Nectar Ales, a leading brand of California-brewed craft beers. “We are excited to adopt Nectar Ales into our family of beers and nurture its tradition of distinctive ales,” said Adam Firestone.

Nectar Ales was founded in 1987 by Mario Celotto as one of California’s pioneering microbrew brands, beginning with its popular Red Nectar ale. The beers were originally brewed at Celotto’s Humboldt Brewing Company in Arcata, California. In 2002, as Humboldt Brewing Company reached capacity, Celotto tapped Firestone Walker Brewing Company as a quality-driven California brewery that could take Nectar Ales to the next level.

“We have been brewing the beers of Nectar Ales for three years now,” Firestone said. “The acquisition is a formality and there will be no changes to the beers.”

Nectar Ales honored at GABF

September, 2003—In 2003, a California classic became an American legend as Nectar Ales was named Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival—the single largest gathering of the nation’s brewers, which includes a widely anticipated annual judging. Additionally, Nectar Ales Head Brewer Matt Brynildson was named “Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewmaster of The Year.” The brewery’s Pale Nectar and IPA Nectar were awarded the lone gold medals in their categories.

Nectar Ales beers are brewed and distributed by Firestone Walker Brewing Company. In the past two years, Firestone Walker beers have also earned gold medals at the World Beer Cup, World Beer Championships, Real Ale Festival and California State Fair. “Winning brewery of the year is the highest possible acclaim, and we are just ecstatic,” said Proprietor Adam Firestone.

The Great American Beer Festival is billed as “the American brewing industry's top public tasting and competition,” which this year included 2,005 beers from 392 of the nation's finest breweries. Gold medals are reserved for “world-class beers that accurately exemplify the specified style, displaying the proper balance of taste, aroma and appearance.” Only one gold medal, if any, is awarded within each category.