USA: Homebrewer to be included in the LongShot six-pack

In celebration of American Craft Beer Week, May 15-21, Samuel Adams launches the 2006 Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest, challenging beer enthusiasts and homebrewers across the country to see if their favorite recipes have the quality and flavor to be selected as a winning beer for national distribution in the LongShot mix six-pack available in February 2007, After all, Jim Koch, founder and brewer of Samuel Adams beer, started as a homebrewer when he created his first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager(r) in his kitchen.

"Samuel Adams is excited to give homebrewers and beer lovers the opportunity to express their passion and creativity for beer by continuing the tradition of the Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest," said Koch. "The excitement and pride I felt when I brewed my first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in my kitchen, and still feel today when I brew, is what I hope other beer enthusiasts will discover when they're brewing their original recipe."

A panel of experts, including Koch, will judge submissions and select five top recipes to advance to the semifinals being held at the 25th Annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver, September 28-30. The five finalists will be awarded a trip to attend the festival where Samuel Adams will announce the two winning recipes.

In addition, for the first time ever a homebrew created by a Samuel Adams employee will be included in the specialty LongShot mix six-pack alongside the winning beers from the two consumer brewers. Not only do the employees of Samuel Adams know how to brew full-flavored quality beer, they've actually experienced brewing for themselves. Since 2001, Samuel Adams has held an annual company-wide competition looking for the best employee homebrew, and this year three employee finalists will attend the Great American Beer Festival where one winning homebrew recipe will be chosen by festival attendees to be included in the LongShot six-pack.

Available in select retail stores nationwide beginning in February 2007, for a suggested retail price of $6.99-$7.99, the LongShot six-pack will include two bottles of each of the winners of the 2006 Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest and two bottles of the winning brew from the annual employee homebrewing competition.

The Boston Beer Company is America's leading brewer of handcrafted, full-flavored beer. Founder and brewer Jim Koch brews Samuel Adams beers using the time-honored, traditional four-vessel brewing process and the world's finest, all-natural ingredients. With over 18 distinctive, award-winning styles of beer, Samuel Adams offers discerning beer drinkers a variety of brews.

The brewery has won more awards in international beer-tasting competitions in the last five years than any other brewery in the world. Samuel Adams is an independent brewery and has half a percent of the domestic beer market.

The company's flagship brand, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, is brewed using the same recipe and processes that Jim Koch's great-great grandfather used in the mid-1800s. The result is a beer renowned by drinkers for its full flavor, balance, complexity and consistent quality.

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