Badger Hill Wins Bronze in U.S. Open Beer Championship

Badger Hill’s brews are already famous among local beer drinkers, but now the company is getting some national attention.

The Minnetonka brewing company’s Minnesota Special Bitter won the bronze award in the ESB category at the 2013 U.S. Open Beer Championship, the competition announced this week.

Judges from England, Canada and the United States selected awarded medals to just two Minnesota brewing companies. August Schell Brewing won a gold in the American amber category for Schell FireBrick, a bronze in the German Lager category for Schell Pils and a bronze in the American cream ale category for Schell Deer Brand.

Badger Hill released Minnesota Special Bitter in June 2012, describing it by saying:

“The key to understanding Minnesotans: We’re a mashup of extremes.

“The key to appreciating a true strong bitter: A balance that you’ll savor. Our pronounced hop usage has been compensated with smooth malt perfectly. Presenting our inaugural brew, with hints of its English roots and a whole lotta Minnesota depth to explore.”