Press Release<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eli Fish Brewing Company, a cornerstone of Batavia\u2019s craft beer scene, proudly announces two major wins at the 2026 New York State Craft Beer Competition. The brewery\u2019s West Coast\u2013style Red IPA, \u201cThe Red Ale,\u201d earned a Gold Medal, while \u201cTiga Spon,\u201d an experimental blended ale, took home Silver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis recognition means a lot,\u201d says Adam Burnett, Head Brewer at Eli Fish. \u201cThe Red Ale is a nod to the beers that made us fall in love with brewing 15\u201320 years ago\u2014bold, hop-forward, and crafted with classic hops like Centennial, Chinook, and Simcoe. We wanted to create something that reminded us why we started brewing in the first place, and it\u2019s amazing to see it resonate with the judges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTiga Spon,\u201d the Silver Medal winner, is a testament to Eli Fish\u2019s innovative spirit. The beer is a blend of three distinct components: a spontaneously fermented ale from the brewery\u2019s rooftop coolship, a petite saison aged in a puncheon with pomegranate, and a heavily fruited ale from the brewery\u2019s Tiga Queen series. \u201cIt\u2019s us showcasing everything we can do,\u201d Burnett explains. \u201cFrom spontaneous fermentation to barrel aging to our fruit-forward ales, Tiga Spon is a celebration of our team\u2019s creativity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Burnett, who has been with Eli Fish for seven of its eight years, credits the brewery\u2019s success to a strong team effort. \u201cDan Hamm, our assistant brewer, is as good a cellarman as you\u2019ll find. Together, we respect beer\u2019s history while pushing boundaries. We\u2019ve submitted beers to this competition for five years and earned medals in four of those years. That consistency shows we\u2019re serious about what we do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The brewery\u2019s commitment to local ingredients is another point of pride. Eli Fish uses New York State grains and hops, sourcing malt from New York Craft Malt less than a mile away. \u201cHaving a hands-on relationship with our main ingredients makes the beer special,\u201d Burnett says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eli Fish invites the community to celebrate these wins by visiting the brewery to experience the award-winning beers firsthand. \u201cMost of our beers are on-site only,\u201d Burnett notes. \u201cWe always have new food options and we\u2019re expanding our seltzer program with unique malt-based, fruit-forward offerings. There\u2019s something for everyone, and we\u2019d love for people to come see what we\u2019re all about.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Press Release Eli Fish Brewing Company, a cornerstone of Batavia\u2019s craft beer scene, proudly announces two major wins at the 2026 New York State Craft Beer Competition. The brewery\u2019s West Coast\u2013style Red IPA, \u201cThe Red Ale,\u201d earned a Gold Medal, while \u201cTiga Spon,\u201d an experimental blended ale, took home Silver. \u2026<\/p>\n