MANSFIELD — With careful hands, Scott Cardwell, co-owner of the Phoenix Brewing Company packaged 12, 22 oz. bottles of one style and sent them on their way to the World Beer Awards judging location in May.

Knowing the tasting wouldn’t occur until August, he hoped the beers would be safe over the upcoming months. Summer would be almost over before the results would be in. By August, the competition had slipped his mind along with everyone else’s, until an email arrived. The tasting had occurred and the results were in.

Cardwell perused the Aug. 11 email and poured over the list of winners looking for the Toe Tag Belgian Tripel … and after a second glance, he saw it:

Receiving a gold medal award for the United States; The Toe Tag Belgian Tripel.

An international judging panel blind-tasted over 1,900 beers from 36 countries to identify the best beers in each of the 72 styles during the 11th annual World Beer Awards.

“Belgian Tripels are a personal style favorite of mine,” said head brewer and co-owner Duncan Macfarlane. “I’m always striving to make the best beer possible, and although this award is humbling, the feedback we get directly from our customers is what matters most.”

The Toe Tag Belgian Tripel pours a bright gold with a thick, creamy head. Complex flavors with spicy phenolic notes, fruity esters and a sweetness from the malts combine to hide the higher ABV of 9 percent and mask the bitterness of the 30 IBUs.

While it’s fine from the tap, Macfarlane suggested the Toe Tag is even better from a bottle and continues to improve with a little age.

“When we first started the Phoenix, we did so knowing Duncan made great beer,” co-owner Steve Zigmund said. “Our idea was to share this beer with our family, friends, and the local community in a small taproom.

“To get this type of recognition is truly amazing, but we owe a huge thank you to our community for all the ongoing support we’ve received.”

Brewed to be a part of the high gravity Mortuary Series of beers from the Phoenix, the Toe Tag was originally released on tap and in bottles in April of 2017. It is scheduled to be released on tap in mid-October and as a limited bottle release in November and late Spring 2018.

Phoenix Brewing Company is on Instagram and Twitter at @brewingphoenix, on Facebook as @ThePhoenixBrewingCompany.

About The Phoenix Brewing Company

Founded by local beer enthusiasts looking to bring a craft beer revival to Mansfield, The Phoenix Brewing Company took flight in April 2014 in a restored 1914 mortuary and funeral home near the original pre-prohibition brewery district. 

The partners have combined their love of craft beer and over 30 years of combined brewing experience to create an authentic pub experience filled with quality craft beer and live music.  The beers are inspired by the history of the building itself and local legends from the Mansfield area.