FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 30, 2006

For information contact:
Nancy Ireland
Sullivan’s Black Forest
281 Heinlein Strasse
Frankenmuth, MI 48374
Phone: (989) 652-6400 ext. 310
Fax: (989) 652-7770
marketing@blackforestbrewhaus.net
http://www.blackforestbrewhaus.net

Sullivan’s Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill Wins Gold at World of Beer Expo
Frankenmuth, MI - Sullivan’s Black Forest is the winner of the gold medal for their English Mild in the English Brown Ale category. The English Mild is regarded as the lightest of the brown ales and is known as a “session beer.” This British favorite is malty, nutty, and sweet. There is just enough hop bitterness to balance, but not enough to create a pronounced presence. The beer is light in body and low in alcohol and can be consumed a few times before its time to call it quits. “Now, I am not advocating mass beer consumption but, it is one of those beers that one can have more than one at a sitting” stated Andy Rathaus, brewer for the Black Forest.

The World Expo of Beer took place on May 19th and 20th at the Harvey Kern Pavilion in Frankenmuth where over 6,000 beer enthusiasts came to sample beer from around the world. Over 100 different beer samples were offered and over 20 different styles were represented including mead, lambic, imperials and local wines. Some of the other breweries competing in various categories included Beck's, Harp Lager Brewery, Warsteiner-USA, King Brewing, Harp Lager Brewery, Stawski Imports, Atwater Block Brewery, United States Beverage (Seagram's), Green Mountain Beverage (Wood Chuck Draft Cider), Coors Brewing Company (Molson, Killian's, Keystone Light, Blue Moon), New Holland Brewing Company, Founders Brewing, Great Lakes, Brewing Company, Darkhorse Brewing Company, Fletcher Street Brewing Company, Hofbrau Haus, Miller Brewing Company (Leinenkugels, Peroni, Pilsner Urquel and Miller Lite), Dragonmead, Michigan Brewing Company, Sprecher Brewing, Unibroue, Summit Brewing Company, Strongbow Cider, Okocim Brewery, Kilnapilis Brewery, Jadwiga Mead, Bell's Brewery, Diageo, St. James Gate, Desnoes & Geddes Limited, Inbev USA, Labatt Breweries, Hoegaarden Brewery, Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, The Gambrinus Company, Pete's Brewing Company, Moosehead Breweries, Merchant Du Vin, Lindemans Farm Brewery, Abbey of Westmalle, Ayinger Brewery, The Old Brewery at Tadcaster, The Boston Beer Company, Scottish & Newcastle Importers, Widmer Brothers Brewing Company, Redhook Ale Brewery and the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.

When we asked Rathaus what he did special to his English Mild to make it a gold medal winner, he humbly stated that he did not think he had done anything special. But we all know better than that, don’t we? He did share some of his ingredients:

Two-Row Pilsner Malt
Roasted Malt
Flaked Barley
American Ale Yeast Strain
East Kent Goldings Hops

Rathaus stated that he choose these ingredients based on past good experiences with them.

Rathaus started his career working in wineries. He stated “I have always had a love for the fermentation sciences. Growing up in Northern California, I had the opportunity to work with one of the most respected names in wine. I was a ‘Cellar Rat’ meaning I was the one climbing into tanks, scrubbing down the equipment, etc. This gave me the hands on education I was looking for. At this time I never thought I would end up in the beer business. So, when I started working at another brew-pub, I approached the brewer and told him I had experience with this kind of equipment and asked him if I could work with him. He told me that beer was a different animal but, I was welcome to come in and volunteer. So, after volunteering for a while, I eventually was hired and then learned from anyone I could. A few years later, this opportunity popped up and here I am. “

The Brew Haus has been in operation since 1996. It was installed by Pico Brewing systems. The Black Forest has seen some exceptional brewing talent over the years. Andy stated that it was an honor to tread in the shoes of some of the previous brewers. The Black Forest produced 430 barrels of beer in 2005 and is classified as a brewpub based on volume. Other awards the Black Forest has won over the years include:

Silver for the Imperial Stout - 2005 Michigan Beer Guide Brewer’s Cup
Silver for the Vienna Lager - 2005 Michigan Beer Guide Brewer’s Cup
Bronze for the Robust Porter - 2005 Michigan Beer Guide Brewer’s Cup
Silver for the English Mild - 2005 World of Beer Expo
Bronze for the Robust Porter - 2005 World of Beer Expo
Bronze for the English Mild - 2005 Michigan Beer Guide Brewer’s Cup
Silver for the Amber Waves of Grain - 2004 World of Beer Expo
Silver for the Busch Road Brown - 2004 World of Beer Expo
Silver for the Holy Cow Milk Stout - 2004 World of Beer Expo
Bronze for the Maid Marian Dark - 2004 World of Beer Expo
Bronze for the Sully’s Red - 2004 Michigan Beer Guide Brewer’s Cup
Bronze for the Woody’s Light - 2004 World of Beer Expo
Bronze for the Bandit Smoke - 2004 World of Beer Expo

The Black Forest offers numerous beer-related functions from monthly meetings to brewery tours to exclusive functions for mug club members. Beer Society meets the first Wednesday of every month. The monthly functions are centered on education, with particular attention to beer. Each month features a different style or theme. For instance, the Black Forest featured a night with stouts and provided samples for 13 different stouts. Another example is the February theme, beer and chocolate. For this popular event not only do the men attend, but they are accompanied by their significant others since nothing says “I love you” better than beer and chocolate. The cost is $10 or $8 (for mug Club Members). The price includes a spread of food, an array of beer samples and educational lecture. The event is hosted by Rathaus and the educational presentation is given by Michigan’s foremost expert on beer, Rex Halfpenny.

Sullivan’s Black Forest, located behind Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, offers award-winning craft brews, ribs, seafood and the slow-roasted prime rib. The beautiful 21,000 square-foot facility features three levels which are used for both dining and banquets. For more information visit them online at www.blackforestbrewhaus.net or call
989-652-6060.