New Holland Brewing Company recently claimed a gold medal in the Association of Brewers (AOB) World Beer Cup® 2004, a global beer competition that evaluates beers from around the world and recognizes the most outstanding beers being produced in the world today. New Holland was awarded a gold in the American-Style Strong Pale Ale beer style category for its Mad Hatter Ale. The beer is a heavily hopped ale deriving an assertive hop bitterness and flavor from a process known as dry hopping. The result is a very spicy/floral aromatic character that gives it its unique taste and distinguishes it from all other beers. “Most people take for granted that their home town brewery is making world class beer. This award is one of the highest forms of praise by the most highly trained beer judges in the world,” states Jason Spaulding, New Holland’s national sales director and co-owner. World Beer Cup 2004 winners were selected by an international panel of 93 beer judges from an impressive field of 1,594 entries received from 392 breweries in 40 countries. More than 3,800 breweries in 100 countries were invited to compete. Visit www.beertown.org for World Beer Cup 2004 information. “With such a diverse list of entrants and winners, we are confident in saying that the World Beer Cup is truly an international competition that is both capable and skillful at recognizing global beer excellence,” states Nancy Johnson, director of the competition. “Without a doubt, a World Beer Cup winner can truly boast that it is one of the best beers in the world.” New Holland will celebrate the honor with a hanging of the award and recognition of the brewers at the company’s downtown Holland pub on Tuesday, May 4 at 7:00 pm. A special cask version of the award winning beer will be available that night only for those who attend the celebration. The public is invited to attend.