Black Diamond Brewing 20th Anniversary Reserve IPA Coming 3/22

opened in 1994, there were only 537 craft beer breweries. Twenty years later, locally owned and operated Black Diamond Brewery in Northern California is still going strong, selling to thirsty customers at Whole Foods, Safeway, Raley’s, Nob Hill, Costco, Bev-Mo and Lunardi’s, as well as locations throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Ohio and Florida.

“Making great-tasting beer began as a hobby, a passion, for me,” said owner and Concord resident Joe Garaventa of his brewery, which first began as a brewpub in 1994 in Walnut Creek and morphed into a larger-scale production brewery now in Concord. “Now we brew more than twenty different beers, distributing to eight states, and internationally to Italy, Brazil and China,” Garaventa added. “I couldn’t be happier with Black Diamond’s success.”

In celebration of its success, Black Diamond Brewery will host a 20th Anniversary Birthday Bash on Saturday, March 22nd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at its Brewery at 2470 Bates Avenue in Concord. The star of the party: The special release of their new “The 20th” India Pale Ale (not yet available to the public) created by Black Diamond’s award-winning Brew Master Paul Mallory. Food vendors and live music will be on hand for patrons to enjoy.

“Black Diamond’s specialty beers have just started to take off and are becoming uber-popular with locals as well as beer connoisseurs throughout the United States,” said Black Diamond Brewery’s General Manager, Michael Hall, who runs the brewery’s entire operation. “This year, we will be rolling out to locations in New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming, as well as purchasing our own canning line,” Hall added.

Black Diamond currently brews 9 core beers, 4 seasonal, 5 barrel aged beers, including its 15 Barrel Series – 15 barrels of something different every month.

The brewery has won numerous awards for its distinct beers: BRONZE at the 2013 Great American Beer Fest for its Belgian Style Strong Ale “The Twelve”; BRONZE at the 2011 Great American Beer Fest, again, for its Belgian Style Strong Ale “The Twelve”; GOLD at the 2010 World Beer Cup for its Extra Special Bitter or Strong Bitter “Steep Trail Amber”; SILVER at the 2008 World Beer Cup for it’s Belgian-Style Pale Ale; and GOLD at the 2005 Great American Beer Fest in the Specialty Beer Category for its “Wild Rice Ale”.

“The 20th” Anniversary Reserve Double IPA, being released at the March 22nd event, is a smooth drinking double IPA brewed and dry-hopped beer with a unique blend of hops. Balancing the most pungent hops from the 2013 harvest with high quality English Crystal Malts, Black Diamond brewed a citrusy, aromatic IPA perfect for the spring season.

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‘The 20th’ will be available to the public on tap and in 22- ounce painted label bottles after the anniversary party on March 22nd,” said Hall.

Black Diamond Brewery’s Brew Master, Paul Mallory, will go on a “Brewer Tour” during the months following the party, visiting bars and stores in different states, showcasing “The 20th”. On the tour, customers will have an opportunity to ask questions, talk beer and enjoy a Black Diamond with the Brewer. Black Diamond fans can follow the tour on Facebook at Black Diamond Brewery or Twitter @bdbrewingco.

The brewery has an on-site taproom open Monday – Friday 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Locals can stop in, have a beer, taster flight or buy a growler to go.
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