Water from California glaciers atop one of the world’s largest, dormant, glaciers was named the best tasting bottled water in the world at the 24th Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition. The water produced by the Castle Rock Water Company comes from some of the rarest glaciers in the world on Mt. Shasta at Dunsmuir in northern California.
Castle Rock Water won Gold over 32 other entries for the title of the world’s best bottled water. Two waters – one from Crete, Greece the other from Eldorado, Colorado – were tied for the silver medal in that category. Bronze went to a Maryland bottler.
The competition, held over the weekend, is the largest and oldest in the world and is in its 24th year. Ten media judges spent hours tasting and selecting water from18 states, 3 Canadian provinces and 12 foreign countries. The best sparkling water in the world as well as the best tap water in the world both hailed from Canada.
Castle Rock Water is sourced from the seven glaciers atop legendary Mt. Shasta and is being bottled in vintage eco-friendly glass as it was originally in 1889 when Mt. Shasta Spring Water Company first introduced it to the nation at the turn of the century. Water from Mt. Shasta was once served in New York’s most fashionable hotels like the Waldorf Astoria, the Biltmore and the Ritz-Carlton.
Daily passenger trains carrying thousands of people between Seattle and Los Angeles used to make brief stops at the base of Mt. Shasta so people could sip its famous water.
Thomas Greither, a noted environmentalist and president of Castle Rock Water Company, says, “We think the water is the best on the planet and we’re thrilled that the judges have reached the same conclusion and have awarded us Gold in the bottled water category.”
Mr. Greither says, “We’re renewing a tradition that began nearly 125 years ago from the source of the water to the use of glass bottles. We decided to bypass single-use plastic bottles in favor of glass, which is better for the environment. Glass bottles are more readily reusable and recyclable, and better for the person drinking the water since glass doesn’t infuse the water with anything unwanted. And our bottles contain more than 50% recycled glass”.
Glass versus Plastic
Mr. Greither says, “Almost all the water bottled in America is sold in plastic bottles and much of it comes from municipal taps.” It’s estimated that Americans send 30 billion single-use plastic bottles to the dump each year. Castle Rock Water Company is the only North American company to offer water in a single use glass bottle from a significantly growing glacier system according to Mr. Greither. The water comes from two caves deep in the mountain and is certified spring water by the FDA and the State of California.
Castle Rock Water Company is a family owned, community based joint venture with the City of Dunsmuir. For more information please visit www.castlerockwatercompany.com.
