The Good Food Awards are based both on quality of the products, and the sustainability practices of the businesses. There is a beer category, and the 2023 awards were announced at the ceremony in Portland Oregon last night. It is a National competition but there are winners from each geographic region. The judging criteria for the beer category: In order to be eligible for a Good Food Award, beer entries must meet the following standards: Certified organic, or meet at least four of the following eligibility criteria: Made with at least one ingredient (besides water and yeast) sourced within 150 miles. Malt will be considered “local” if sourced from a local malter. Made with at least one ingredient (besides water) that is grown without the use of synthetic inputs, including herbicides, pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers. Made by a brewery that has made concrete water recycling or other resource efficiency improvements in the production or delivery process in the last three years. Made by a brewery that engages deeply with its community by participating in a sustainably-minded guild; offering paid time off for employees to volunteer for causes they believe in; or otherwise offers substantial support to its community. Made by a brewery that prioritizes resource or consumer packing waste reduction through programs, such as mash repurposing, growler programs and container-related sustainability measures. Made by a brewery that proudly maintains one or more third-party accreditations embodying social responsibility and transparency. In addition, all Beer entries must meet the following criteria: Made in the USA or US territories. Made by a crafter that is an upstanding member of the good food community, committed to equity and inclusion in all levels of their business, as exemplified through integrating these practices: Offering a diversity, equity, and inclusion training to staff members and/or leadership annually. Thoughtfully acknowledging the heritage of culturally-specific food on websites, packaging and/or marketing materials. For the small percentage of Good Food community that operates on a significantly larger scale, meeting additional criteria related to board diversity, maternity leave and employment practices.** **Side note: I am not affiliated with the organization at all. I was just at the event last night because my wife's business was getting an award in another category. So the pictures are mine.
What do you think of Black Narrow's beer in general? The only breweries of these that I've had beer from are Lawsons, Maine, Almanac, and Ska.
For all the categories, producers have to submit their products, and judging is done by blind tastings. Then they also do due diligence to make sure the winners are meeting all of the sustainability/sourcing criteria. This page has the list of the judges for the beer category: https://goodfoodfdn.org/awards/categories/beer/ Since the Foundation is based in California, not surprising to see folks from Sierra Nevada and Anchor on the judges list.
I've been to the brewery once, enjoyed everything I've tasted. Casual Pint in VA Beach gets some of their cans in as well (last I had was their Pickleweed Potion stout). I lived on the Shore from about age 7ish-18... it's just very weird for me to see them have 2 breweries now (Cape Charles, Black Narrows) AND be distributing. If you've ever driven through the E Shore, you'd probably understand.
My roommate at Richmond is from Exmore. Then that was remote and it still likely is. Calabash to Rehobeth is special.
Great to see these breweries getting some recognition. Will gladly keep supporting Maine Beer Company, though I’ve not had little whaleboat.
Yes, about 10 years ago we drove from PA to Norfolk for a friends wedding, drove all the way down the Delmarva peninsula. We stopped for lunch at Evolution Brewing in Salisbury MD.
That's a cool award. Hard working brewers making a difference in a local and eventually a global way! I've not had any from the list but have had excellent other offerings from Fernson, Lakefront, Maine, Ska. Cheers!
