We here at DrinkCraftBeer.com want to extend our congratulations to the winners of the Great British Beer Fest's American Cask Ale Competition. We had some notable locals and friends win awards and would like to give credit to all! The results are:

Gold: Opa Opa - King Oak Milk Stout
Silver: Gritty McDuff's - Gritty's IPA
Joint Bronze: Gardner Ale House - Facelift IPA & Three Floyds - Romulus

Above: Dave Richardson, Award Winning Brewmaster at Gardner Ale House

Congratulations to Dave Richardson at Gardner Ale House, who we recently had the pleasure of sitting down with and sampling his beers! Opa Opa is always putting out good stuff as well. While we haven't gotten out there yet, their reputation precedes them. Way to go to probably one of the most heralded US breweries, Three Floyds! We will be speaking with them on our road trip in September. And, Gritty McDuff's, way to go! We will have to make our way up to Maine soon.

Anyway, shoot any of them a congratulatory email if you're so inclined, and tell them DrinkCraftBeer let you know!

We recently discovered Gardner Ale House at a local beer festival. Having never tried any of their offerings, we were amazed at the quality of the beer. We knew then that we had stumbled upon something special and wanted to learn more. We headed out to Gardner, MA to speak with Dave Richardson, the brewmaster, to get the inside scoop on this brewpub.

As you walk in the bar is instantly inviting, with a nicely dark atmosphere that just makes you want to relax with a nice pint. A long bar runs almost the length of the brewpub along with ample seating at tables.

Dave Richardson, Gardner’s brewmaster, began his path to becoming a brewer in college. While at school at UVM Dave discovered the craft beers of Vermont such as Catamount (now defunct), Otter Creek, The Shed and others.  His summer after college Dave tells us: “I was home, looking for a job. So my mom, she’s probably sick of me or something, says “You know Rick down the road? He brews beer once a week. You should go over and check that out.” Rick Walton, a family friend would later become the owner of Gardner Ale House.  

Out of college and working a state job, Dave began apprenticing for free with Jeff Browning at Brü Rm. At BAR in New Haven CT. Working on a 10 gallon system he became more interested in brewing. Dave continued to brew with Rick Walton when he headed home for holidays the two often pipe dreaming about opening a brew pub. Expressing dislike for his current job Rick mentioned how he heard about some brewing schools. Two weeks later Jeff Browning mentioned the same schools. In a twist of fate Dave was laid of from his job, there were cutbacks and anyone new they got rid of. It was then that he took out loans to attend UC Davis brewing school.

After leaving brewing school he went to work for Redhook in Portsmouth for 3 years. Its here that the story of Gardner Ale House, and our interview begins.