Nipomo's microbrewery wins at fair

Santa Maria Brewing Company, Nipomo's only microbrewery, has achieved in two years of operation what many other breweries dream about.

Brewers Dan Hilker and Bob Kump traveled to the California State Fair in Sacramento on Aug. 20 to collect their third-place award in the Craft Brew Competition.

Competing against 69 other breweries in the American Pale Ale category, they came in third with Firestone and Sierra Nevada Breweries being first and second.

"This is quite an achievement with this being our first outing in any competition," said Brewmaster Hilker. He added this is just the beginning of many more award-winning beers to be produced.

Santa Maria Brewing Company is located at 112 Cuyama Lane, Highway 101 and Highway 166. For more information, call 349-2090.

August 30, 2002

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