Sometimes two Sessions are better than one! Last year, Full Sail received a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival(r) for Session Premium Lager, and this year, their brand new Session Black Lager won the gold.

“Two Session beers and two gold medals – now that is a lovely balance,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail CEO and Founder. Session Black Lager, with its sophisticated grey label, is short, dark and totally drinkable. The initial tastes are a subtle balance of caramel and chocolate malt flavors with precise hopping to provide an elegant citrus background to the delicate finish of dark cocoa. Earlier this month, Session Black was awarded its first gold medal at the Colorado State Fair and was named “One of America’s Best Beers” by Men’s Journal Magazine.

Session Premium Lager, with its bright red label, is a classic all-malt pre-Prohibition style lager. Clean and crisp with an elegant malt and hop balance, Session was named World’s Best Premium Lager at the World Beer Awards and is a winner of a slew of other shiny trophies. Session has truly earned itself a place at the bar. Not to mention the barbeque.

The 2009 Great American Beer Festival(r) was held September 24-26. It is the largest national beer competition that recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States today with over 3,300 entries from 495 breweries. “Winning gold and the crowd’s response to our beer is a real reaffirmation. To be recognized by our peers for excellence is a true honor, but our loyal consumers are the ultimate judges,” said Jamie Emmerson, Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster.

“So who is the quintessential Session drinker? That’s hard to say, really. You see, virtually everyone who likes beer likes Session. Whether they’re craft beer aficionados, import drinkers or devotees of lawnmower beers, Session is the one beer they can all agree on. Even Session’s name speaks to that rare ability to cross boundaries. Beer geeks might presume we named it Session because it bears a resemblance to British ‘session beers,’ the ones that go down so easily you can drink two or three in a row. At the brewery in Hood River, Oregon, locals would insist it’s called Session as a shout-out to Full Sail’s boardsports heritage: as in surf session, jam session, have a good session. In fact, they’re both right. And that’s the beauty of Session. It’s inclusive without being ordinary. Accessible without becoming mainstream. It’s a brand that lets you own a little piece of it. And there’s nothing more powerful than that. And now, two Sessions and two gold medals – that is pretty powerful too,” added Firmat.

About Full Sail Brewing Company
The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment 47 specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Session and Session Black Premium lager. Founded in 1987, Full Sail is committed to brewing great beer while adhering to socially and environmentally sustainable practices. Their award winning brews are now available in nineteen states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view. www.fullsailbrewing.com

About the Great American Beer Festival(r)
Session Black lager was entered in the American dark lager category. For more Great American Beer Festival(r) Competition information and 2009 winners’ list visit http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/medals/medalists.aspx

The Great American Beer Festival has been held every year since 1982 and is presented by the Brewers Association not-for-profit educational, trade association for craft brewers Visit the website: www.beertown.org to learn more. The Brewers Association also hosts the bi-annual World Beer Cup(r) and is based in Boulder, Colo., U.S.A.