That's some serious hardware

By CHANSE WATSON

Managing Editor

WALLACE — You would think that competing in a national craft beer competition that includes beverages from around the world would be difficult. The Wallace Brewing Company’s track record at these events, though, would suggest otherwise. Year after year, WBC continues to bring home the awards anytime they enter a competition.

Their most recent one? A silver medal for their Red Light Irish Red Ale at the 2018 Best of Craft Beer Awards.

Held in Bend, Ore,. on Jan. 27-28, 80 judges comprised of fellow brewers and industry leaders worked their butts off to taste around 2,000 different beers in more than 150 style categories (sounds like a rough job). A total of 245 medals were awarded this year and one just happened to go to WBC.

Competing in the Irish-Style Red Ale category, the Red Light already has an impressive trophy case even with the addition of this latest award. It has taken three bronze medals at the North American Brewers Association Competition at Idaho Falls in 2012, 2015 and 2016.

Wallace Brewing owner Chase Sanborn attributes the Red Light’s consistency to his brew master, Jack Johnson, and the rest of the brewing team.

“The secret is what Jack and his crew do,” he said. “They take really big time care of each batch of beer they brew. They stick to the recipes and they are always looking back at the previous recipes when they do this. They really care about what they are making, this is a big deal to them.”

When it comes to the specifics of the award winning beer, WBC describes it as having “an attractive ruby red color that leads into a complex caramel malty experience with hints of biscuit, nut, toffee, cherry/plum and distinct roasted notes from the chocolate malt.”

The Red Light placed in its category above third place finisher “Piper Down” from Ballast Point Brewing in San Diego, Calif., but fell just shy of beating out first place finisher “Vixen” from Old Bust Head Brewing Company in Vint Hill, Va.