Andrew Naslund (Groom), Brian Grossman (Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.), Ken Grossman (Founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.), and Katie Wilder (Bride) tap the ceremonial keg after Naslund and Wilder’s wedding to kick off Oktoberfest season at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico, California, Friday September 27, 2019. Oktoberfest originated to mark a royal wedding in Bavaria in 1810 and more than 200 years later the tradition continues with over 3,000 craft beer enthusiasts cheering the newlyweds at the celebration. (Courtesy of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.)
CHICO, CA — Earlier this summer after a nationwide search, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. found Craft Beer’s Royal Couple. And now, fittingly, Andrew and Katie have tied the knot in an all-expenses-paid Royal Wedding at Sierra Nevada’s Oktoberfest Celebration in Chico, California.
The contest paid tribute to the first-ever Oktoberfest, which was held in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The winning love birds were hand-picked after couples submitted videos making the case for why they’d be the perfect pair for Craft Beer’s Royal Wedding.
More than 20,000 fans voted on social media to narrow the entrants down to the top finalists. An expert judging panel that included Mike Pomranz from Food and Wine, Kimmie Smith from Athleisure Magazine, Janet McCracken from Rachel Ray Every Day Magazine, John Holl, co-host of Steal This Beer and author of “Drink Beer, Think Beer: Getting to the Bottom of Every Pint,” and Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman selected the winner from the finalists.
The judges took into consideration the creativity of the submissions and the couples’ expression of passion for craft beer and each other, but ultimately chose the couple that best resonated with the spirit of Sierra Nevada’s Royal Oktoberfest Wedding.
“Andrew and Katie clearly exemplified their passion for craft beer and the storied tradition of Oktoberfest,” said Robin Gregory, a spokesperson for Sierra Nevada. “And knowing that Andrew’s 102-year-old grandmother was able to attend his wedding made the event particularly special.”
The ceremony was held during the opening night of the festival before thousands of people at Sierra Nevada’s brewery in Chico, CA. More than 3,200 festivalgoers raised a glass to the happy couple as they were wed live onstage. As the winners, Andrew and Katie received transportation to the event, a honeymoon suite before and after the wedding, flowers, cake and photos, plus food, drink, entertainment and revelry for a party of 50 guests.
The couple first bonded over Sierra Nevada beers. “I knew it was her when she ordered a Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest on our first date,” said Andrew. “And I had a Pale Ale in my hand when I asked her to marry me,” he adds.
“Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how we feel right now. This is a dream come true for us. We got to stand in front of our friends and family, steins in hand, and share our vows with 3,200 other hopheads.”
[divider]About Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.[/divider]
Inspired by frequent trips to the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in 1980. Highly regarded for using only the finest quality ingredients, Sierra Nevada has set the standard for craft brewers worldwide with innovations in the brewhouse and in its sustainability efforts. The pioneering spirit that launched Sierra Nevada now spans both coasts with breweries in Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina. Sierra Nevada continues to honor its mountain heritage through day-to-day sustainability efforts and programs like Pale Ale for Trails. The brewery is famous for its extensive line of beers including Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing®, Torpedo®, Tropical Torpedo® and a host of seasonal, specialty and limited release beers. Learn more at www.sierranevada.com.
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