The Brewers Association recognized the work of three journalists for outstanding coverage of the flavor and diversity of American craft beer during the 25th annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver last week.

The awards were given to Don Russell for his Joe Sixpack Beer Reporter column in the Philadelphia Daily News, Carolyn Smagalski for work that appeared in the Beer & Brewing section of BellaOnlineSM and Tony Galea for an article in Yankee Brew News.

The awards have been given annually since 2003. Honorees receive a trip to the GABF as well as a plaque and a $500 honorarium.

“As craft beer continues to grow, consumers look to the media to explain and explore the diverse culture of American beer,” said Ray Daniels, Director of Craft Beer Marketing for the Brewers Association and coordinator of the awards program.

The three honorees received awards for work published or aired during the last half of 2005 or the first half of 2006. The awards were given in three categories: consumer print, consumer electronic and trade or beer specialty media. Winners were selected from 59 entries by panels of evaluators that included brewers, media professionals and management in the beer industry.