CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A prestigious award from the Queen City Brewers Festival has been renamed in honor of Wooden Robot Brewery's co-founder Dan Wade, who died in February.
The Charlotte Beer Collective announced the "Best of Show" award has now been renamed the "Dan Wade Best of Show" award. It comes just days ahead of Wooden Robot's ninth anniversary, which the brewery will be celebrating in honor of Wade with an anniversary event at the NoDa taproom on July 20.
Wooden Robot was the first ever recipient of the festival's "Best of Show" award in 2016.
"Dan’s warm personality and significant legacy will endure through this award – serving as a symbol of his profound influence on the craft beer community in Charlotte," the Charlotte Beer Collective said in a news release.
After Wade's death, several breweries across the Charlotte area came together to support Wade's family and the Wooden Robot team, including through the Wade Family Fund. As of July 12, the fund has raised over $232,000. The Charlotte Beer Collective said this was a testament to how even competitors within the industry prioritize friendship.
“Dan lived and breathed the concept of paying it forward, and the acts of kindness he inspired within Charlotte's brewing community and beyond are truly beyond measure,” Amanda McLamb, CEO & co-founder of Resident Culture Brewing, said.
The newly renamed award will be presented for the first time at the February of next year for the annual Queen City Brewers Festival.