Central Coast Brewing wins ‘brewmaster’ award in new beer competition at fair

The head brewer at Central Coast Brewing was named the first-ever "Brewmaster" at the Mid-State Fair Wednesday night. The "Craft Beer Tasting Night & Awards" was the first event of its kind. Organizers say they hope it will celebrate the "ever-pioneering Central Coast craft beer industry that continues to help shape the future of craft beer in the U.S. and beyond."Judges walked around Mission Square tasting dozens of beers from nine craft breweries, including: Central Coast Brewing, BarrelHouse Brewing Co., Earth & Fire Brewing, Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Firestone Walker Brewing, Libertine Brewing, 7 Sisters Brewing, Silva Brewing and SLO Brew. Brendan Gough was the recipient of this year’s award. "I’m so honored to receive this inaugural award – the fact that it comes from my peers, who I know and look up to, makes it that much more humbling," Gough said. "And this is not a reflection of my work alone, but of the amazingly talented team at Central Coast Brewing."Runner-ups were Matt Brynildson of Firestone Walker Brewing and Kevin Ashford of Figueroa Mountain Brewing. Gough was born and raised in San Luis Obispo and is Cal Poly alum.