Press Release: Association of Brewers connects with Slow Food USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Association of Brewers connects with Slow Food USA Boulder, Colo. • 12.19.2002—Association of Brewers (AOB) strengthened the relationship with Slow Food USA's 8,000+ members with a letter to the leaders of the 70+ conviviums around the country. The letter from AOB president Charlie Papazian affirmed the mission and philosophy of Slow Food; protection of biodiversity, the right to pleasure, taste education, promotion of quality, promotion of a new model of agriculture. He applauded Slow Food members for championing these ideals, ideals Papazian feels many Association of Brewers/Institute for Brewing Studies members share. “I thought it was important to point out that as Slow Food has cultivated an appreciation for the culture of food and beverage the Association of Brewers and its members have been nurturing an appreciation of brewing and beer culture,” comments Papazian. “For 25 years we have been participating, promoting and even producing beer-related events that increase the public’s awareness of beer culture and how it relates to an appreciation of food. I think we are a perfect fit because we’re the primary contact for the media when it comes to information about beer and brewing in America. Our activities provide a means to spread the word about beer and food culture.” Several Association of Brewers and Institute for Brewing Studies craft/microbreweries members, individual homebrewers and beer enthusiasts are Slow Food U.S.A. members and active supporters. The Association of Brewers is a not-for-profit, educational organization based in Boulder, Colo., U.S.A. devoted to making quality beer and brewing knowledge accessible to all. The Association of Brewers (AOB) has four divisions: American Homebrewers Association (AHA), Institute for Brewing Studies (IBS), Brewing Matters and Brewers Publications (BP). The AOB organizes the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®, National Homebrewers Conference, National Homebrew Competition and American Beer Month. CONTACT: Cindy Jones, Association of Brewers Phone: (303) 447-0816, ext. 144 E-mail: cindy(a)aob.org Web Site: www.beertown.org