Central Coast brewery wins gold at 2016 World Beer Cup

It’s no secret people on the Central Coast are foaming at the mouth over craft beer.

“I think craft is definitely here to stay.Consumers are consistently choosing local, they’re consistently choosing craft,” said Discretion Brewery Chief Beer Ambassador Dustin Vereker.

And for good reason. Discretion Brewery in Soquel walked away with not one, but two top prizes at the 20-16 World Beer Cup.

“We won the gold, and then the bronze for Uncle Daves,” said Vereker.

Known as the Olympics of beer, Discretion Brewery had some tough competition. 55 countries and nearly 2,000 breweries competed for top prizes.

“You never know what set of judges and what set of beers are going to be at the table at the same time, so there’s a little bit of luck to it I have to be honest. But having that consistent brew to style product really helps. It’s an ancient art that we’re evolving. There’s a lot of science involved. Everyday we’re doing chemistry, we’re doing micro biology,” said Brewmaster Michael Demers.

In the last five years craft beer has seen overflowing support in Santa Cruz County, and there’s no signs of that fizzling.

“It’s growing there’s no question, when we first opened in 2013 I think we were the 7th brewery in Santa Cruz County, by the end of this year there should be more than 12,” said Vereker.