MickDuff's Brewing Co. garners multiple awards

SANDPOINT — MickDuff’s Brewing Company has claimed a gold medal for their Irish Redhead at the 2021 International Beer Awards, hosted by the North American Brewers Association on Aug. 27. 

The IBA, formerly North American Beer Awards, is a competition that provides an opportunity for commercially produced beers to be judged against the best beers in the country and world. Judges at the annual IBA sanctioned beer awards include brewmasters from major national breweries, as well as beer journalists and certified judges. The judging is conducted as a single blind sampling followed by rank ordering of the entries within a category. The IBA/NABA and MickDuff’s go back more than a decade, totaling 13 medals. This year’s medal makes Irish Redhead a three-time winner and second-time gold medal winning Irish-style Red Ale. 

“It’s truly an honor to win a medal and we are very appreciative of the work of the judges and North American Brewers Association volunteers to put on such a professional competition,” said brewing director and co-owner, Mickey Mahoney. “We are very proud of the Irish Redhead, it’s been a staple since we introduced it and hats off to our brewing staff for keeping the quality standards high and great beer flowing!”

Coupled with the NABA festivities is the annual meeting for Idaho Brewers United, Idaho State’s Brewers Guild, which also saw Mack Deibel, brewer at MickDuff’s, honored with the first annual Spirit of the Industry Award. Deibel was on the board of directors from 2017 until just recently, where he stepped off. In his time on the IBU Board, he served as president for one year, and vice president for three years. During those times, IBU increased their grant funds from the National Brewers Association, donations/fundraising and lobbying efforts which garnered two crucial industry bills being passed. 

“I am not sure if this award is just a bribe to get me to take a leave from the board but I am truly honored either way!” Deibel wrote jokingly in his acceptance speech. He then added, “I am not done supporting IBU and working to better Idaho’s breweries. No better cause for me to dedicate time and effort to. Thank you all again for the acknowledgement.”

The North American Beer Awards, held in conjunction with the Mountain Brewers Beer Fest, is in its 19th year, receives over 1,000 beers entered in the competition annually and is sanctioned by the North American Brewers Association. The competition provides an opportunity for commercially produced beers to be judged against the best beers in the country. Judges at the annual NABA sanctioned beer awards include brewmasters from major national breweries, as well as beer journalists and certified judges. The judging is conducted as a single blind sampling followed by rank ordering of the entries within a category.

MickDuff’s Brewing Co. recently took another step in their continuous growth by purchasing and remodeling a historic building in Sandpoint, the old Federal Building, 419 N. Second Ave. MickDuff’s Brewing Co. was officially presented with the Orchid Award on Aug. 26 from Preservation Idaho for Excellence in Historic Preservation after preserving the building.

MickDuff’s also picked up seven 2021 Bonner County Daily Bee “Best Of” awards. First place: Brewery, Cold Beer and Bar Food. Second place: Burger, Quick Bite to Eat and Live Entertainment (Beer Hall). 

“Thank you to all our customers who voted for us, we love serving you and look forward to seeing you soon!” said Duffy Mahoney, CEO and co-owner. 

For more information, give MickDuff's a call at 255-4351, email them at mail@mickduffs.com, www.mickduffs.com, connect with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mickduffs or visit their Brewpub at 419 N Second Ave or the Beer Hall and Brewery Tasting Room at 220 Cedar St.