Business News: Pagosa brewer wins
national competition
By Mary Jo Coulehan, Pagosa SUN Columnist
January 19, 2006
We are very proud of all our businesses
in the area; we want them to be successful and profitable.
One small hobby-turned-business has given national recognition
to our very own Tony Simmons, with The Pagosa Springs Brewing
Company. Tony has been researching the process of opening
a micro-brewery here in Pagosa for some time and now it looks
like his plans are nearing reality.
It is widely known that Tony has won numerous awards for
his wines and beers, but not a lot of people are aware of
the huge recognition that has come of late with his Poor Richard's
Ale.
Tony submitted his entry to honor Ben Franklin's 300th birthday
to a tasting competition at the Great American Beer Festival
in Denver last September. He won the top tasting slot over
scores of other entries, based on his use of ingredients prevalent
at the time of Ben Franklin's life, as well as because of
his attention to historic detail and research.
Tony traveled to Philadelphia this week to be included in
celebrations surrounding Ben Franklin's 300th. There are more
than 100 commercial microbreweries in Colorado and 34 other
states ready to produce Simmons' malty, nutty, molasses-spiced
brew, including Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis. Tony's Poor Richard's
Ale will be included in a tasting tour to honor Ben Franklin's
love of the libation.
We are so proud of Tony Simmons and his national recognition.
Just think ... we'll be able to enjoy his expertise at a local
level if his brewery gets up and running. Continued success
and brewing inspirations in the years to come!
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