Ol’ Republic Brewery wins “Best of Show” honor at California State Fair

Ol’ Republic Brewery won a “Best of Show” award for its California Common beer at the California State Fair, along with four other medals, a major coup for the upstart Nevada City brewery.

There were 858 entries judged and 239 registered participants, judges and stewards.

“We are very proud and humbled to win five medals this year and especially honored to take second overall,” ol’ Republic said on its Facebook page. “Congrat’s to our wonderful staff for helping to make this possible and our favorite customers.”

The “Best of Show” honors were Track 7 Brewing Co. of Sacramento, gold; ol’ Republic, silver; and San Pedro Brewing Company, bronze.

In the Dark Lager category, ol’ Republic won a silver for its Black Lager and a bronze for its Dunkel Bock.

In the Amber Hybrid category, the Nevada City brewery won a gold for its California Common.

In the English Pale Ale category, ol’ Republic won a bronze for its E.S.B.

In describing its California Common, ol’ Republic said: “Our version of this late 1800s wild frontier beer has a rich amber color and a deep malty body that’s perfectly balanced with generous portions of hops including a pass through R2-D2.”