She’s extremely talented. She’s going to blow people away.
— Tim Gunn

In addition we had a very talented young designer of incredible jewelry, Amy Delson.

For the rest of the Drinktechnology Blog Post Click Here for more pictures and more on the designers…

 Tequila 3 Amigos and Napa Smith Brewery Team Up To Support Event

Napa, CA – January 19^th, 2012 – Napa Smith Brewery announced today it has agreed to sponsor The 2nd Annual Checkered Flag Run (Checkeredflagrun.com) to Phoenix International Raceway’s NASCAR Weekend.  Tequila 3 Amigos and Napa Smith Brewery will both help make year’s event to be bigger and better than ever for motorcycle enthusiasts when it returns March 2-3, 2012 .  The Checkered Flag Run offers two days of exciting activities that culminate with rides to Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) (Phoenixinternationalraceway.com) to watch the Bashas’ Supermarkets 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series Race on March 3.

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Napa Smith Brewery, said, “We love the opportunity to get Napa Smith Brewery involved in such a fantastic event.  Helping promote the Checkered Flag Run ties in perfectly with our 3 Amigos Tequila sponsorship of PIR’s NASCAR events.”

“We are excited about our new and expanded program,” said Alan M. Powell , co-founder of the Checkered Flag Run. “We are highlighting the diversity among motorcycle enthusiasts while supporting organizations that work to benefit the local multicultural community in the Greater Phoenix and Chandler areas. It’s not a white thing, Hispanic thing or a black thing – it’s a chrome thing.”

A major highlight of the event weekend will be the Checkered Flag Run Bike Show hosted at PIR on March 3. Motorcycle enthusiasts are encouraged to enter the competition to have their bike judged by legendary builders Paul Yaffe of Bagger Nation (BaggerNation.com), Brian Klock of Klock Werks Kustom Cycles (KustomBaggers.com), Dave Perewitz of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication (Perowitz.com) and John Shope from Sinister Industries (SinisterIndustries.com). Participants will have a chance to win cash prizes and the opportunity to participate in the exclusive Gatorade Victory Lane celebration that includes the awarding of the Bashas’ 200 champion’s trophy to the race winner.

Event Tickets

Tickets to the 2012 Checkered Flag Run can be purchased for $25 until March 1 or while supplies last. After March 1 , tickets are available at the gate at PIR. One ticket allows access to all events including the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race on March 3. Book your tickets now!  Call (866)498-RACE (7223) or visit Phoenix International Raceway

Join us for the 3 Amigos Tequila Leather & Lace Ball @ Ovations LIVE! Showroom @ Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino with Special Guest DJ TWINN & DJ BLVD Rodd Sat., March 3, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. 5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd Chandler, AZ 85246 Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino

For a full Schedule of Events check out Checkeredflagrun.com.

About Checkered Flag Run

The Checkered Flag run was created by Phoenix International Raceway in conjunction with Valley-based strategy firm AP & Associates, LLC. For more information, visit AP & Associates (apandassociatesllc.com), Checkered Flag Run (Checkeredflagrun.com), Face Book – Checkered Flag Run, Twitter – Checkered Flag Run

Media Contact: Candace McGinty ace@checkeredflagrun.com (310) 497-6189

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Napa Smith Brewery & Winery, said, “We have a focused growth strategy with very few international targets – Sweden is one of these. So I am delighted to be partnering with Tommy Olsson and his team at TOMP to launch our brands there. TOMP is hugely respected and the perfect partner for us in what is a tough market to crack. I look forwards to a successful launch of Napa Smith’s beers and a long and fruitful relationship. We could not be more thrilled.”

Napa Smith brews a portfolio of award-winning beers in Napa, California. Its portfolio is available in 30 states in the US with plans to be available nationally by early 2012. Sweden will be the first international market. Napa Smith is proud to number Whole Foods, Safeway, Beverages & More, Total Wine, Publix and now Sweden’s Systembolaget amongst its many retail partners.

“We first tasted Napa Smith’s beers 2 years ago and we were convinced that they would be a great addition to our portfolio. So winning the tender and setting launch dates is very exciting for us. Organic products are very important to the monopoly and the Napa Smith Organic IPA is utterly amazing,” said Tommy Olsson, Managing Director of TOMP Beer Wine & Spirits.

“Winning the recent IPA tender into Systembolaget is further testament to the genius of our Master Brewer, Don Barkley, coming as it does on the back of our huge success at the Great American Beer Festival. IPA is the hottest segment of the US craft beer category, but many IPA’s lack complexity and balance. This is proof that it is possible to brew a benchmark IPA that is drinkable and food-friendly,” said Steve Morgan, President of Napa Smith Brewery and Winery.   He continued, “In addition our beer is certified organic, which makes this achievement even more noteworthy. I am confident that Sweden’s exciting craft brewing scene will take Napa Smith to heart.”

About Napa Smith Brewery

Napa Smith Brewery is located at the southern gateway to Napa Valley, just south of the town of Napa. Napa Valley is internationally known as a destination for those individuals who seek the best that life has to offer. Napa Smith is proud to contribute to the Napa tradition of hard work, craftsmanship, and artistry with the introduction of its unique family of beers. It creates its beers using proprietary recipes developed by Master Brewer Don Barkley – the most experienced brewer in the craft brewing industry.  Come visit us at our newly opened Brewpub in Napa or on the web at www.napasmithbrewery.com

About TOMP Beer, Wine & Spirits

TOMP is one of Sweden’s leading beer, wine and spirits importers with a portfolio that includes brands such as [yellow tail], Fish Hoek, Chang Beer and their own successful beer, Guldkallan.  TOMP operates a national sales force from it base in Orebro. See www.tomp.se .

Huntington Beach, Calif. – December 7, 2011– Napa Smith Brewery, producers of hand-crafted beer from the Napa Valley, have been named the Official Beer of USA Water Polo. As part of the agreement Napa Smith Beer will be featured at a variety of events including the 2011 & 2012 USA Water Polo Golf Tournaments, the 2012 Hall of Fame Dinner, and the 2012 Masters Nationals Championship. They will also serve as the title sponsor of the annual Masters Nationals Social and provide additional beer to supplement VIP areas for various events throughout the term, such as FINA level National Team competitions and private fundraising events. The agreement also allows for USA Water Polo to host potential events at Napa Smith’s Brewpub while also promoting the company through Golf Tournament tee-signs, a dedicated email campaign, and more.

“Napa Smith Brewery crafts high quality, great tasting beer right here in California. We are excited to support a local business, while providing them access to our national marketing assets,” said Jennifer Rottenberg, USA Water Polo Chief Marketing Officer.  “We look forward to working together in particular to support further growth of our Masters – adult – level water polo programs, and at the same time, to support Napa Smith in its growth in distribution and awareness.”

“While Napa Smith is a young company, our employees are very active. They play kickball and golf, darts and horseshoes; we swim from Alcatraz, bike, and play volleyball. We hike, run, surf, and play soccer. A couple of us play in rock bands. And we play water polo,” said Steve Morgan, President of Napa Smith Brewery. “So, when we found an opportunity to combine one of our passions with sponsoring the sport of water polo as a whole, we jumped at it. We are very excited to partner with USA Water Polo and support their members and National Teams as they prepare for the 2012 Olympic Games in London!”

Napa Smith “Lost Dog”

About Napa Smith Brewery
Napa Smith Brewery is located at the southern gateway to Napa Valley, just south of the town of Napa. Napa Valley is internationally known as a destination for those individuals who seek the best that life has to offer. Napa Smith is proud to contribute to the Napa tradition of hard work, craftsmanship, and artistry with the introduction of its unique family of beers. It creates its beers using proprietary recipes developed by Master Brewer Don Barkley – the most experienced brewer in the craft brewing industry.

About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc. is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 different championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 40,000 members, USAWP is also the sanctioning authority for more than 500 Member Clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport nationwide. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches and officials.

Official USA Water Polo Sponsors
24 Hour Fitness, Active Media, American Pistachios, Aquahydrate, Big Fish Payroll Services, Capital One, Colorado Time, H2O Audio, Intercontinental Hotels Group, iSport, Jostens, Kaenon, KT Tape, Ludus Tours, Malibu Wellness, Mikasa, Napa Smith Brewery, Ospraie Management, PowerBar, Pro-form Mouthguards, REUSE Jeans, Sea Air Federal Credit Union, Squar Milner, SwimOutlet.com, Stemilt, TRX, TURBO, United, VIDA Organic Life Massage & Water Marque.

…Steve Morgan, Don Barkley and the rest of the growing Napa Smith team have been hitting on all cylinders as we have ramped up.  The Paddington team has taken the lead on sales and distribution.  The combination has been awesome!

Napa Smith Brewery

 

Napa Smith Team

Some highlights over the past year:

1. Napa Smith Beer now available in 33states.  This is from a base of just CA back in 2009.
2. GABF Winner – Napa Smith Organic IPA won the Silver Medal at the Great American Beer Festival this year… huge!  More on this below.
3. Napa Smith “Brew Pub” tasting room opened in Napa, CA… an awesome experience and long overdue for our home market!
4. Numerous beer dinners and tasting and events throughout the year.
5. Major retailer support with placements in Safeway, Whole Foods, Publix, HEB, Harris Teeter, Total Wine & More, BevMo, ABC, Cost Plus World Markets and many more….

“IPA is one of the hottest segments of the craft beer category, but many IPA’s lack complexity and balance. This medal proves that it is possible to brew a benchmark IPA that is drinkable and food friendly,” said Steve Morgan, President of Napa Smith Brewery. “In addition our beer is also certified organic, which makes this achievement even more noteworthy.”

Napa Smith brews a portfolio of award winning beers in Napa, California. Its portfolio is available in 30 states with plans to be available nationally by early 2012. Napa Smith is proud to number Whole Foods, Safeway, and Publix amongst its many retail partners.

“It was a special pleasure to meet and be honored with Jim Koch of Samuel Adams, to walk out on stage with Don and our brew team, and to receive our medal from GABF founder Charlie Papazian,” said Morgan. “Both Jim and Charlie had very kind words for Don. I believe this award will stand as a milestone in our growth.”

Market Watch describes itself this way:

Market Watch serves the information needs of the on-premise and off-premise markets for spirits, wine and beer. Our readers are America’s most successful on-premise operators and retail stores who look to MARKET WATCH for unique industry trends and information.MARKET WATCH with 28 years experience stands alone as the authoritative source of trends and usable information for our readers and your customers.

The article focuses on some of the “extreme beers” in the market, was fairly limited, but the cover was nice exposure to an important audience.