Iron Springs Wins First Great American Beer Festival Medal

After 13 years of entering beers in the prestigious annual Great American Beer Festival, head brewer Christian Kazakoff finally took home a medal: Bronze in the Golden or Blonde Ale Category for the Fairfax brewery's Kent Lake Kolsch.

The medal is not just the first for Kazakoff, but also the first for Iron Springs.

"Iron Springs has never been able to bring home a medal until now. (We have done very well at the World Beer Cup, but had a dry spell at the GABF)," said Iron Springs Brewmaster and Owner Mike Altman, who had won Great American Beer Festival medals at the start of his 20 year career as a brewer but never at Iron Springs.

The beer that took home this auspicious medal was also the brewery's most popular.

"It doesn't surprise me that this beer, of the 10 we entered this year, is the one to medal," said Altman.

The Kent Lake Kolsch is a classic German Golden Ale -- named for the waters from which it's brewed.

Iron Springs has also won two medals at the World Beer Cup, held every two years: Bronze for the Epiphany in 2006 and gold for the Sless Stout in 2008.

What is your favorite beer at Iron Springs?