Look Ma, the North American Brewers Association Said We’re Good! Real Good.

2024 has been an exciting year for many reasons: 1) the Olympics and all of its controversial theatrics broadcasted around the world from Paris this summer, 2) the U.S. presidential election theatrics have officially taken over the airwaves… for better or worse, and 3) (most importantly) Falling Sky was awarded 2 Gold medals at the North American Brewers Association (NABA) International Beer & Cider Awards! 2024 marks the 27th year for this reputable competition, which has significantly grown in popularity in recent years. We decided to enter two of our favorite brews – Space is the Place Schwarzbier and Spruce Banner Hazy Pale Ale – and the rest, as they say, is beer-history.

‘Space is the Place’ Shoots the Stars in the Schwarzbier and American Black Lager Category

Much like its name, this beer has layers. If you didn’t know, Schwarzbier is German for “black beer”. This unique lager gets its dark, stout-like color and opaqueness from the roasted malt used in the brewing process, which also contributes notes of chocolate and coffee to the rich flavor profile. 

We named our Schwarzbier ‘Space is the Place’ because, well, space is a dark, opaque kind of place. Also, we just love that very strange, probably genius, 1974 Afrofuturist science fiction film by Sun Ra, titled Space is the Place. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself the favor. (Actually, you should probably drink our Space is the Place Schwarzbier while watching Space is the Place the film, because it’s all too appropriate and we conveniently sell it in 16 oz. cans here at the brewpub. This is a great date idea… you’re welcome).

We were thrilled that this year’s NABA judges, out of the many incredible dark beers from around the world, chose Space is the Place (our Schwarzbier, not the film) for first place! 

‘Spruce Banner’ Really Spruces Up the Flavored, Specialty or Experimental India Pale Ale Category

Here at Falling Sky, we feel passionately about spruce tips. Yes, that’s right, spruce tips. In fact, we offer a whole series of beers brewed with spruce tips featuring iconically spruce-y names, like Spruce Springstein, Spruce Lee, and, of course, Spruce Banner Hazy Pale Ale which won a Gold medal at this year’s NABA awards. 

We are proud to continue the long held tradition of brewing beer with spruce tips that started back with the Vikings and some North American native tribes. Our Spruce Banner Hazy Pale Ale is full of delightful floral notes and even some hints of strawberry. Plus, like its spruce tip beer ancestors, it’s chalked full of Vitamin C, so you can ward off scurvy like a real Viking! 

While our award-winning Spruce Banner Hazy Pale Ale isn’t always on draft, it’s a regular in our rotating spruce tip beer series, which is definitely a constant here at Falling Sky. So, you can come on down to the brewpub any day of the week for a spruce-a-licious pint!

That wraps things up for this year’s beer awards. But, fear not! We’ve submitted some of our unique brews to the Great American Beer Festival and other esteemed competitions and we are feeling confident. But, regardless of the outcome, we’re just grateful for the thriving global craft beer community and that we get to be a part of it, from right here in little ol’ Eugene, OR. Come grab a beer and be a part of it too! And, as always, LET IT POUR!!