The Brewer’s Association announced the winners for their annual Craft Brewers Conference in Boston. Winners were selected for the Brewers Association Recognition Award, the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing and the F.X. Matt Defense of the Small Brewing Industry Award.

The Brewers Association Recognition Award went to Ken Allen, founder of Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, CA. Allen is also a former chair of the Association of Brewers. The Brewers Association Recognition Award is given to an individual or company whose inspiration, enthusiasm and support have contributed to the brewpub and microbrewery movement. Previous winners of this award include Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Co. in 2008, John Mallett of Kalamazoo Brewing Co. in 2002 and the first recipient John Maier of Oregon Brewing Co./Rogue Ales in 1997.

Steve Parkes of the American Brewers Guild took home the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing. This award is designed to honor those demonstrating creativity, excellence in brewing and substantial contributions to the craft brewing community. “Not only is Steve a great brewer with an impressive resumé, his service as an educator through the American Brewers Guild has brought hundreds of brewers into the craft ranks,” Dick Cantwell, member of the Brewers Association Board of Directors, said.

The F.X. Matt Defense of the Small Brewing Industry Award honors brewers who have fought tirelessly to defend small brewers. This year, that honor was presented to Eric Wallace of Lefthand Brewing Co. in Longmont, CO. Wallace follows in the tradition of last year’s winner John Carlson of Colorado Brewers Guild, and 2007’s beneficiary George Hancock of Pyramid Brewing Co.

The Brewers Association is a nonprofit trade and education association for small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association Recognition Award began in 1987, followed by the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing in 1997. The F.X. Matt Defense of the Small Brewing Industry Award was first given out in 2000.