Brendan Gough named first annual ‘Brewmaster of the Year’
Brendan Gough, of Central Coast Brewing, was named Brewmaster of the Year at the first-ever Craft Beer Tasting Night & Awards Ceremony.
–The California Mid-State Fair and the Central Coast Brewer’s Guild have announced that Brendan Gough, Head Brewer of Central Coast Brewing, was named Brewmaster of the Year at the first-ever Craft Beer Tasting Night & Awards.
The inaugural event celebrated the ever-pioneering Central Coast craft beer industry that continues to help shape the future of craft beer in the U.S. and beyond.
Held July 25 at Mission Square during the annual California Mid-State Fair (July 18-29), the event included a walk-around tasting of dozens of beers from nine craft breweries throughout the region, including: Central Coast Brewing, BarrelHouse Brewing Co., Earth & Fire Brewing, Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Firestone Walker Brewing, Libertine Brewing, 7 Sisters Brewing, Silva Brewing and SLO Brew.
The evening culminated with the awards ceremony, where Gough was named Brewmaster of the Year.
“I’m so honored to receive this inaugural award – the fact that it comes from my peers, who I know and look up to, makes it that much more humbling,” said Gough. “And this is not a reflection of my work alone, but of the amazingly talented team at Central Coast
Brewing.”
The other candidates in the running were Matt Brynildson of Firestone Walker Brewing and Kevin Ashford of Figueroa Mountain Brewing.
Gough – who was born and raised in San Luis Obispo and is a graduate of CalPoly – began his brewing career as a home brewer in his garage, then spent time as an assistant at Central Coast Brewing, and then Firestone Walker Brewing. He returned and took the helm at Central Coast Brewing in 2014.
In those four years, Central Coast Brewing has won a Gold Medal in the World Cup Beer Medal, as well as three Gold Medals and one Silver Medal at the esteemed Great American Beer Festival.
“It’s a great time to be part of the rising tide of Craft Beer on the Central Coast and I feel super honored to announce Brendan Gough as Brewmaster of the Year for 2018. Brendan has distinguished himself as a world-class brewer and has a cohesive spirit amongst the brewing community. Brendan is generous with his time in the local community and supports charities through his brewing endeavors,” said Chuck Silva, SLO Chapter Head of the Central Coast Brewers Guild and Owner/Brewmaster of Silva Brewing.
Michael Bradley, CEO of the California Mid-State Fair, who called the fun event a resounding success, noted how the fair is committed to celebrating Central Coast region’s craft beer for years to come.
“We are so excited to introduce this new event to the California Mid-State Fair,” said Bradley. “This is a great way to discover and explore the thriving craft beer movement that is being led by our neighbors.”
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