“One of our flagship beers,” said Venner who brought 13 years of experience and two GABF silver medals for other American-Style wheat beers while previously working for breweries in Wyoming.

“It’s a beer style that I’ve perfected and I take a lot of pride in,” he said. “I really like where the recipe has gone.”

The GAFB recognition is “a very big deal,” he said.

“It is kind of validation to send your beer off to these blind tastings by some very well-vetted judges from all over the world. It’s flattering to know we can stand out beyond labels or a smiling bartender. All the things that can influence opinion of our beer,” he said.

That a gold medal was not awarded in the American-Style Wheat Beer category speaks to the toughness of the judging at the GABF. You can

Venner said judges have scrapped entire categories and not awarded medals, or combined categories If they feel none of the beers stand out enough.

The bronze medal is the first earned by a South Dakota craft beer at the event since Sioux Falls Brewing Co. earned consecutive bronzes for its Phillips Ave. Pale Ale in the English Style Bitters category in 1997-98.