TAPS Fish House & Brewery in Brea was awarded five medals at two California-based competitions for its artisan beers.

TAPS received two honors for the California State Fair, which runs from Aug. 21 to Sept. 7 in Sacramento. The beers are judged prior to the fair's opening. The brewery received a gold medal for its Cream Ale, and a bronze for the Irish Red.

The L.A. International Beer Fest – formerly known as the L.A. County Fair – similarly bestowed a gold medal on the brewery’s Cream Ale during its judging process. Event officials also awarded a silver for the Hefeweizen and a bronze medal for the Belgian White. The 87th year of the nation’s largest county fair will begin in September.

TAPS’ Cream Ale has earned nine medals at different competitions – eight of the medals being gold. This brew is an American-style ale, straw in color and smooth, with corn sugar added for a touch of lingering sweetness.  

Victor Novak, the brains behind the Cream Ale and other TAPS award-winners, has been the brewmaster since the fish house opened in 1999. In addition to these recent awards, Novak has accumulated 37 awards for TAPS’ beers at regional, state, national and international levels.

TAPS Fish House & Brewery offers eight beers at any one time, selected from a collection of more than 35 classic European and American ales and lagers. The restaurant – privately owned by the Manzella family – is located at 101 E. Imperial Hwy. in downtown Brea and at the Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos in Corona. The brewery will celebrate its 10th anniversary this September, with a fundraising gala for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Brea-Placentia-Yorba Linda.

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