BOULDER, Colo., (Oct. 21, 2008) – Walnut Brewery’s parent company, Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc.,  is pleased to announce their awarding of “Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year” at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF), which was held in Denver this month. In addition to the group award, the company’s breweries took home four gold, three silver and one bronze medal in various individual beer style categories (see list below).
 
“This is great recognition for our Brewers,” said Kevin Reed, Director of Brewing Operations. “The Great American Beer Festival is a world renowned platform for brewing excellence and their acknowledgement is a testament to the work we do every day.” 
 
Rock Bottom Brewmasters from across the country received a total of nine medals, tying their best year at the GABF, last year.    
 

Beer  Name	Category	Medal	RB Location	Brewer
Hop Bomb	American-Style Strong Pale Ale	Gold	Bellevue	Brian Young
Right on Rye	Rye Beer	Silver	Bethesda	Geoff Lively
Highland Courage	Scottish-Style Ale	Gold	Bethesda	Geoff Lively
Terminal Stout	American-Style Stout	Gold	Chicago	Pete Crowley
Ragtop Red	Irish-Style Red Ale	Silver	La Jolla	Marty Mendiola
Erik the Red	Irish-Style Red Ale	Bronze	Orland Park	Iain Wilson
Red Rocks Red Ale	Irish-Style Red Ale	Gold	Westminster	Scott O'Hearn
Old Elk Brown Ale	English-Style Dark Mild Ale or Brown Ale	Silver	Walnut Brewery	Rodney Taylor

 
Held annually in Denver, CO, the GABF is the world’s largest beer tasting competition. At this year’s event, over 472 breweries entered 2,902 different beers to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 75 different categories.  

For more information, please contact Fredrik Nilsson at fnilsson@rockbottom.com or 303-664-4256. 
 
About Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. currently employs over 7,000 nationwide.  It owns and operates 103 restaurants across the United States - 64 "Old Chicago" restaurants and 39 brewery concepts operating under the names "Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery," "ChopHouse & Brewery," and "Walnut Brewery".  The Company also operates two Sing Sing concepts, an entertainment venue featuring a dueling piano bar in a club setting.  It has franchise partnerships under its Old Chicago brand that account for 34 locations and two locations under the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery brand.
 
In 2000, the Company formed the Rock Bottom Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity.  The Foundation's primary focus is to make a positive impact on the issue of hunger within its communities, help its teammates in crisis, and inspire a culture of giving and volunteerism.
 
The Company's annual sales in 2007 were $306 million ($371 million including Franchise locations), an 8% increase over fiscal 2006. Projected sales for 2008 are $324 million ($409 million including Franchise locations.
  
All of Rock Bottom's restaurants are casual dining establishments featuring excellent service, high-quality, moderately priced food and a distinctive selection of micro-brewed and specialty beers served in a comfortable, hospitable atmosphere.

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