ITHACA, N.Y. -- A local brewery is sporting some new awards from this year's Great American Beer Festival in Denver. The Ithaca Beer Company walked away with two silver medals this past weekend. One was for its "Casca-Zilla" in the best American style amber or red ale category. Another was for the "Excelsior Brute" in the best American style or German style sour ale category.

Ithaca Beer's owner says getting these national awards is a big deal for more than just Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region.

"New York State is starting to be recognized for the beers that we're

putting out into the market and when you start getting recognized nationally, it certainly helps the whole industry," said owner Dan Mitchell.

Ithaca Beer also won state awards for its beers this year.