Local brewer wins industry award

The Brewers Association (BA) announced winners of the 2020 Industry Awards, as voted on by fellow beer-makers, BA staffers and past award winners.

BREWERS ASSOCIATION

Brendan McGivney (pictured above) of Fort Collins’ Odell Brewing Co. took the Russel Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing, named in honor of Schehrer, the first brewer at Denver’s Wynkoop Brewing Co.

McGivney has worked at Odell since 1995 and, in honoring him with this award, the BA pointed out that he has helped develop new hops, built farmerbrewer relationships and discovered the innovative process known as fresh grinding hops — crushing the whole hop, thus releasing its oils for a fuller, hoppier flavor. As a result of his work with hops and building relationships with growers, the BA says McGivney has opened doors for smaller brewers to gain access to high-quality hops.

McGivney is responsible for developingbeloved Colorado/Odell brews like the Odell IPA, Drumroll American Pale Ale and the 5 Barrell Pale Ale.

BREWERS ASSOCIATION

Other 2020 winners include Adam DeBower of Austin Beerworks (below) and Oscar Wong (above) of Highland Brewing Co., in Asheville, North Carolina. More info on the winners at brewersassociation.org.

BREWERS ASSOCIATION