LA VISTA - Boss City Brewing Company is an award-winning brewery, but the award didn't come from a brew fest or a beer competition. It was a broadcast award at the 2023 Nebraska Broadcasters Association Awards Banquet on Wednesday night in La Vista. 

The downtown Sidney brewery partnered with Sidney radio station 987 The Big Boy to create a beer called "The Big Boy Smokestack Stout." The announcement of the new beer won the Gold Award for "Best Promotional Announcement" at the Embassy Suites Conference Center.

Station Manager Hunter Arterburn accepted the award and says the experience was both humbling and hungry.

"Humbled to be honored along side Nebraska's best in radio and TV. Hungry to learn and get better," Arterburn said. "We're thankful for the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and appreciative to those who listen and support us across Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and beyond."

Arterburn was excited the award wasn't just a radio station award, but an award an entire community and region can rally behind with a local business. 

"The best part about this NBA award is we get to share it with not only one of our clients, but with people we consider friends, at Boss City Brewing Company in downtown Sidney," Arterburn said. "Thanks to Stan, Melissa and the crew at Boss City. This award is as much theirs as it is ours. Congratulations."

In total, Flood Communications, the parent company of 987 The Big Boy, won 11 NBA Awards, including two gold awards. Lobo 97.7 Operations Manager Jose Ramon Munoz joined Arterburn in the gold category. Munoz won the Gold Award for "Best Station Originated Community Service Project." 

The awards banquet wrapped up the two-day conference at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in La Vista on Tuesday and Wednesday, filled with seminars and meetings between media professionals and radio and TV stations from across the Nebraska.