Kannah Creek Brewing Company - Standing Wave Pale Ale

This 2008 World Beer Cup gold medal winner presents a medium amber with coppery highlights, topped by a tall crop of pillowy foam that laces the glass nicely as it recedes to a persistent collar. On the nose, look for a distinct citric hop fruitiness, prominent floral tones, and a hint of pine, all underpinned by a moderate caramel malt character. Take a sip and notice the super-juicy hop contribution with big notes of Mandarin orange flesh and touches of grapefruit zest. The malts offer a good backbone to this beer, delivering some caramel and a light toasty note, with a touch of sweetness to add structure and balance to the very firm hop bitterness. But, it's that juicy, citric, flowery hop profile that steals the show here, and there's nothing wrong with that. Pair with an Asian salad with grilled chicken – or for something more adventurous, perhaps a seared duck breast with a sweet lemongrass & tamarind sauce. Cheers!

Kannah Creek's story begins back in the early '90s when founder Jim Jeffryes was first exposed to homebrewed beer and decided to take up the hobby. Sadly, in 1994, the Xerox employee was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, made worse by the high stress of a job in the corporate world. So, in 1997, Jeffryes quit Xerox and moved with his family from California to Grand Junction, Colorado – an excellent state to call home for those who love craft beer and envision a career in the industry. The small city on the western slope of the Rockies proved the perfect place to let go of stress and improve his health, while focusing on his passion for brewing.

In 1999, Jeffryes entered brewing school, followed by a few years working as a brewer for a couple of local breweries. Finally, he and his business partners took the plunge and struck out on their own, opening Kannah Creek Brewing Company in Grand Junction in 2005. The brewpub, which eventually picked up the nickname "The Creek," features a 7-barrel brewing system and a menu filled with Italian-oriented favorites including pizza, calzones, and pasta.

By 2012, Kannah Creek had grown to the point that it was time to take it to the next level by building a new, larger facility that would allow them to bottle their beer and expand the reach of their product throughout the state, and beyond. After months of construction, Kannah Creek's second location – appropriately named the Edgewater Brewery – opened for business in May 2013 on the north side of the Colorado River. Situated on a piece of land that Jeffryes and his family wisely picked up back in 1998, the new brewery boasts a 30-barrel system and a bottling and packaging line. It also is home to a second restaurant location, with a menu focused on burgers, brats, and sandwiches – and of course, great beer. For more information on the brewery and their eateries, call (970) 263-0111 or visit www.kannahcreekbrewingco.com.