Archives for February 2026

Craft Beer Professionals Announced Today a New Nationwide Collaboration to Support Schools

February 24, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Craft Beer Professionals (CBP) just dropped the mic on a genius idea that’s got the whole craft beer world buzzing: turning the infamous “6–7” — you know, that awkward adulting moment when someone asks “six or seven?” and everyone freezes — into a straight-up force for good.

Teaming up with the legends at No Label Brewing out of Katy, Texas, CBP is launching the 6-7 Collaboration: a crisp, hop-forward 6.7% American IPA (West Coast style, baby!) that breweries nationwide can brew, tweak, or collab on. The best part? Every pint poured, every can cracked — a chunk of the proceeds goes straight to a local school, PTA, or education nonprofit of the brewery’s choice.

Because why just drink great beer when you can drink great beer that helps teachers buy supplies, kids get books, and classrooms stay awesome? It’s the ultimate win-win: hit your favorite taproom, grab a cold one, and know you’re making a real difference right in your backyard.

“Our schools are feeling the squeeze more than ever,” says Andrew Coplon, founder of Craft Beer Professionals. “Craft beer folks are pros at coming together for a good cause. This gives every brewery — big or small — an easy, delicious way to rally the community, pack the patio, and turn happy hour into hero hour.”

Brittany Raffin from the Ghent School PTA in Norfolk, Virginia, adds: “PTAs are the unsung heroes keeping things running for students and teachers. Projects like this let communities show up in a fun, creative way when schools need support most.”

No Label Brewing — multiple award-winners with 15+ years of community swagger — is anchoring the whole thing, sharing a killer recipe from their World Beer Cup champs. “When CBP pitched this, it clicked instantly,” says Tom Paynter, Co-Owner and Marketing Director. “Great beer + real local impact? That’s craft beer’s sweet spot. We’re pumped to help breweries everywhere pour something that matters.”

The can art? Handled by Chris Hernandez, a craft beer industry illustrator who’s also co-authored children’s books. Expect something fresh, fun, and perfectly on-theme — education meets epic hops.

Breweries of every size are jumping in: neighborhood spots to regional heavy-hitters. Just sign up, pick your local cause, brew the beer, release it, and report back on donations so CBP can tally the nationwide good vibes.

About Craft Beer Professionals

Craft Beer Professionals is the national crew dedicated to leveling up the craft beer game. Through killer educational content, peer hangouts, and epic events, CBP brings the industry together to grow, connect, and keep the good times (and great beer) flowing.
Grab a 6-7 IPA near you, support your local schools, and cheers to beer doing more than just tasting amazing.

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A Year in Review with Lone Tree Brewing

February 24, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

LONE TREE, CO — Fresh off toasting 14 epic years of pouring liquid gold, Lone Tree Brewing is kicking off 2026 like a boss: still all-in on brewing the absolute best beer possible. The secret sauce? A killer team that shows up every day ready to crush it, plus rock-solid partners who’ve been riding shotgun since day one.

Here’s the fun, frothy scoop on what went down in 2025 at Lone Tree Brewing Company — think of it as your year-end highlight reel with extra hops.

Beer Bonanza: The 2025 Lineup That Had Everyone Buzzing
Spring brought the sweet, crushable Honey Lager that flew off shelves like it was happy hour o’clock. We also dropped a juicy Hazy IPA, a classic Oktoberfest for those pretzel-and-beer vibes, and a decadent Chocolate & Pistachio Stout that basically tasted like dessert in a can.

Draft exclusives popped up for Stout Month in February, and we teamed up with our buddies at Public Offering Brewing for some collaborative magic.

Big news on the flagship front: We gave our classic Lone Tree IPA a serious glow-up — more hops, more flavor, more “wow.” (Catch the deep dive in Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine’s Brewing Industry Guide if you’re into the nerdy details.)
And then there’s Hop Zombie, our legendary Imperial Red IPA that’s basically a cult classic. It made a sneaky Summer Solstice cameo at the Parker spot, then went full zombie apocalypse mode in October for the 13th annual Hop Zombie Day. Lines out the door? Check. Gone in a flash? Double check. That beer doesn’t mess around.

Brewing Like Mad Scientists (But With Better Results)

The crew cranked out 3,727 barrels of pure Colorado craft goodness — that’s a whole lot of barley, wheat, oats, rice, corn (270,572 pounds total), plus 4,741 pounds of hops and fancy hop oils. They canned up 427,008 12-oz beauties too.
We cranked the hops in the Lone Tree IPA by nearly 25% and the Double IPA by 17% — hello, hop bomb status. The Blueberry Blonde got a massive 60% boost in fruit puree for that real-deal berry blast. And the Peach Pale Ale? It’s evolving into the smoother, tastier Peach Wheat Ale, hitting taps late February 2026. Get ready.

Oh, and we’re eco-warriors too: Recaptured 215,000 gallons of water and kept 450 pounds of plastic wrap out of landfills with reused pallet wraps. Beer + planet points.

Team That Feels Like Family (Because It Kinda Is)

A few longtime legends leveled up in 2025: Candace Peterson stepped into Director of Tasting Rooms, Dennis O’Harrow (ex-Head Brewer for six years) slid to Lead Brewer, and Dale Hollars grabbed the Head Brewer torch after six solid years. These folks live for perfecting recipes and brewing killer beer — discipline, passion, repeat.
We’ve got 22 awesome people now. “We’re ridiculously proud of this crew,” says Jerry Siote, Director of Brewhouse Operations. “They make this not just a business, but a place we actually look forward to waking up for every morning.”

Sales & Spreading the Love Across Colorado

Thanks to our longtime pals at Western Distributing, our cans were everywhere in the state. The big sellers? Mexican Lager, Red Ale, and Blueberry Blonde — they accounted for 70% of packaged volume. Denver Metro grabbed 13%, but the real party was south from Lone Tree down to Colorado Springs (over 36% of sales). Locals know what’s up!

Giving Back & Good Times

We donated more than $22,000 to awesome nonprofits, including $10,000 to the Bridge Transition Program via our annual car show. Shoutouts to Special Olympics, Adams Camp, 2Blondes All Breed Rescue, 7 Sisters, and the Colorado State Firefighters Foundation.
Late 2025, we brewed the Polar Plunge Cold IPA with the City of Lone Tree Police Department — a portion of sales heads to the Special Olympics fundraiser in April 2026. Because beer that does good? That’s the best kind.

And yeah, we wrapped the year celebrating 14 years strong. Owners John Winter and Jerry Siote are stoked — even with all the NA and cannabis buzz out there, we’re sticking to what we love: top-shelf beer and top-shelf people.

Mark your calendars:

February 28, 2026 — Second anniversary bash at Lone Tree Brewing Parker!
June — Summer Solstice Hop Zombie returns.
October — The classic Hop Zombie creeps back.
December — Our big silver anniversary (15 years!).

About Lone Tree Brewing Co.

Since 2011, we’ve been the OG brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado — Denver’s South Metro gem. We’re all about community, killer beer, and welcoming vibes at our two spots: the original near Park Meadows Mall and the newer Parker outpost right in the heart of Parker. Family-friendly, dog-approved, and always ready for another round.

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2026 Texas Craft Brewers Cup – Medal Winners and Breweries of the Year

February 23, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

The 90 medals—gold, silver, and bronze—were awarded across 30 categories, recognizing 56 outstanding breweries. Medals were presented as custom, Texas-sized bolo ties during a celebratory closing ceremony at the Guild’s Annual Meeting on February 21, 2026, in Austin.

Texas Breweries of the Year
Brewery of the Year honors, determined by cumulative medal points (3 for gold, 2 for silver, 1 for bronze) and divided by production size, went to:

Under 620 bbl Group: Bird Creek Brewing Company (Temple, TX), which earned multiple medals including golds in Session and Standard Hoppy Pale Ales and Lagers.
620+ bbl Group: Altstadt Brewery (Fredericksburg, TX), a standout in traditional German styles with strong showings in lagers and wheat beers.

Texas Craft Brewers Cup Medal Winners
German Pilsner
Gold: Neu! Pils – Hold Out Brewing (Austin)
Silver: Altstadt Pils – Altstadt Brewery (Fredericksburg)
Bronze: Meanwhile Pilsner – Meanwhile Brewing Company (Austin)

American and International Pilsner
Gold: Darlin’ – Meanwhile Brewing Company (Austin)
Silver: 12 Degree – Pecan Street Brewing Co. (Johnson City)
Bronze: Magical Pils – Pinthouse Brewing (Austin)

American & International Light Lager
Gold: Hill Country Light – Roughhouse Brewing (San Marcos)
Silver: Icy Boys – Zilker Brewing Company (Austin)
Bronze: Cerveza TX – Save the World Brewing Co. (Marble Falls)

American & International Lager
Gold: Lucha Libre – Flix Brewhouse (San Antonio)
Silver: Kokuyoseki – Obsidian Brewery (Leander)
Bronze: American Lager – Central Machine Works Brewery (Austin)

Golden, Blond, & Light Ales
Gold: Hijack – Untraditional Cream Ale – Infamous Brewing Company (Austin)
Silver: Mardi Gras Blonde – Galveston Island Brewing (Galveston)
Bronze: Honey Blonde – Frontyard Brewing (Spicewood)

Kölsch
Gold: Fahlgelb – Bronson & Ryder Brewing (Llano)
Silver: Haygrazer – Hound Song Brewing Co. (Columbus)
Bronze: The Big German – Rollertown Beerworks (Frisco)

Session and Standard Lagers
Gold: Altstadt Lager – Altstadt Brewery (Fredericksburg)
Silver: DeadBeach Lager – Deadbeach Brewery (El Paso)
Bronze: Karnstein – Acopon Brewing Company (Dripping Springs)

Session and Standard Dark Lagers
Gold: Lettie – Dorćol Distilling and Brewing (San Antonio)
Silver: Shadow Cat – White Rock Brewing Company (Dallas)
Bronze: Hesky Czesky – Hold Out Brewing (Austin)

Strong Lagers
Gold: Buckstin Helles Export – Buckstin Brewing Company (Beaumont)
Silver: Decorator – Talyard Brewing Co (Sugar Land)
Bronze: Doppelbock – Denton County Brewing Company (Denton)

Classic UK Styles
Gold: Black Jack Brown – Four Bullets Brewery (Richardson)
Silver: Royal Scandal – Peticolas Brewing Company (Dallas)
Bronze: Cuffnells – Acopon Brewing Company (Dripping Springs)

Stout & Porter
Gold: Dark Side of the Moo – The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen (Austin)
Silver: Flat Penny – Bird Creek Brewing Company (Temple)
Bronze: Cape Fear – Bronson & Ryder Brewing (Llano)

Session and Standard Hoppy Pale Ales and Lagers
Gold: Bare Bones Disco – Bird Creek Brewing Company (Temple)
Silver: Galactic Grackle – Bird Creek Brewing Company (Temple)
Bronze: FIOR – Batch (Austin)

IPA
Gold: Nose Jelly – Pinthouse Brewing (Austin)
Silver: Waka Waka – Bird Creek Brewing Company (Temple)
Bronze: Scorpion Disco – Pinthouse Brewing (Austin)

Hazy IPA
Gold: Heavenly Daze – Zilker Brewing Company (Austin)
Silver: Electric Jellyfish – Pinthouse Brewing (Austin)
Bronze: Space Terrarium – Pinthouse Brewing (Austin)

Strong IPA
Gold: Sparkle & Ruin – Meanwhile Brewing Company (Austin)
Silver: Heavy Machinery Double IPA – Austin Beerworks (Austin)
Bronze: Magnets, How Do They Work? – Good Line Beer Co (Lubbock)

Specialty IPA
Gold: Misty Lady – Bear King Brewing Co. (Marble Falls)
Silver: Bloodwork Orange – Austin Beerworks (Austin)
Bronze: Billy Goat in Belgium – Back Unturned Brewing Co (San Antonio)

Amber and Dark Beers
Gold: Shovelhead Amber Ale – Belly Up Brew Pub (Fredericksburg)
Silver: Mean Girlz – Project Halo Brewing (Fulshear)
Bronze: Brown Chicken Brown Cow – Galveston Island Brewing (Galveston)

Barleywine & Strong Ale
Gold: Romanov’s Revenge – Maple Branch Craft Brewery (Fort Worth)
Silver: Id – St Elmo (Austin)
Bronze: Danger Noodle Island – Save the World Brewing Co. (Marble Falls)

Belgian & Farmhouse Ales
Gold: Passive Dissent – False Idol Brewing (North Richland Hills)
Silver: Le Saison – Vista Brewing (Driftwood)
Bronze: Jedburgh – Longtab Brewing Company (San Antonio)

Belgian Abbey Ales
Gold: 10 for 3 – Nolan Creek Brewery (Belton)
Silver: Chugboat Island – Buckstin Brewing Company (Beaumont)
Bronze: Triple Volunteer – Longtab Brewing Company (San Antonio)

Fruit & Field Beer
Gold: Sweeten The Pot – Four Bullets Brewery (Richardson)
Silver: Sticky Rice and Mango Lager – Obsidian Brewery (Leander)
Bronze: Altstadt Radler – Altstadt Brewery (Fredericksburg)

Chocolate & Coffee
Gold: Subtle Hustle – Grain Theory (Abilene)
Silver: Sludge Factory – Misfit Brewing (Cypress)
Bronze: Devour – Mexican Chocolate – 3 Nations Brewing (Carrollton)

American & European Sour
Gold: Heartbreaker – Deadbeach Brewery (El Paso)
Silver: Bogberry Boombox – The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen (Austin)
Bronze: Fruited Little Boss — Pomegranate – Blue Owl Brewing (Austin)

Brett & Mixed Culture
Gold: Montmorency vs. Balaton – Jester King Brewery (Austin)
Silver: Kashmir – Celestial Beerworks (Dallas)
Bronze: Atrial Rubicite – Jester King Brewery (Austin)

Smoke & Chili Beer
Gold: Harissa – Wild Barley Kitchen & Brewery (San Antonio)
Silver: Jalapeño Saison – On Rotation Brewery & Kitchen (Dallas)
Bronze: Schwarzer Rauch – Live Oak Brewing Company (Austin)

Barrel & Wood Aged Beer
Gold: Early Morning Shakes – Paradigm Brewing Company (Tomball)
Silver: Left Handed Hummingbird – Meanwhile Brewing Company (Austin)
Bronze: 40 Watt Reserve – Grain Theory (Abilene)

Experimental, Hybrid & Specialty Beer
Gold: Heritage Common – Old Sheepdog Brewery (El Paso)
Silver: Silver Lining – Talyard Brewing Co (Sugar Land)
Bronze: Blackberry Streussel – Künstler Brewing (San Antonio)

Wheat or Rye
Gold: Altstadt Hefe – Altstadt Brewery (Fredericksburg)
Silver: Hefeweizen – Live Oak Brewing Company (Austin)
Bronze: HighWheel Dunkelweizen – Dorćol Distilling and Brewing (San Antonio)

Decadent Beer
Gold: Suburban Ninja Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Coconut Vanilla and Maple Stout – Red Horn Brewing Co. (Cedar Park)
Silver: Playground Battles – ODD Muse Brewing (Farmer’s Branch)
Bronze: Snacks Ahoy – False Idol Brewing (North Richland Hills)

Legislative ProAm
Gold: Unified – ODD Muse Brewing (Farmer’s Branch)
Silver: Bumgarner Bock – 3 Nations Brewing (Carrollton)
Bronze: Rotunda Rose – Lago Vista Brewing Company (Lago Vista)

More about The Texas Craft Brewers Guild
The Texas Craft Brewers Guild is the hoppy heart and soul of the Lone Star State’s craft beer scene—a nonprofit trade association proudly championing over 300 small and independent breweries across Texas. Think of them as the ultimate beer advocates: they fight tooth and nail (with a side of cold ones) for smarter laws, fairer rules, and a brighter future for local brews through their CraftPAC political action committee and tireless lobbying efforts. From modernizing outdated beer regulations to helping breweries thrive in the massive Texas market, the Guild keeps the good vibes flowing by protecting what makes craft beer special—independence, creativity, and that unmistakable Texas spirit. Whether it’s pushing for taproom freedoms or educating folks on why supporting local matters, they’re the behind-the-scenes heroes ensuring every pint poured tells a story of Lone Star pride.

Beyond the serious stuff, the Guild knows how to throw a legendary party! They organize the wildly popular Texas Craft Brewers Cup (the state’s premier pro beer competition), the massive Texas Craft Brewers Festival featuring hundreds of local brews, and fun community perks like the Texas Brewery Passport™ app that turns beer road trips into an epic statewide adventure. With events, education sessions, networking shindigs, and even a snazzy online store full of merch, the Guild brings brewers and beer lovers together to celebrate the incredible variety—from crisp lagers to wild sours—coming out of Texas taps. If you’re raising a glass to independent craft beer in the biggest state in the Lower 48, you’re basically toasting with the Texas Craft Brewers Guild—cheers to that!
Website: https://texascraftbrewersguild.org/

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Ska Brewing makes its bold return to West Coast IPA.

February 20, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Hey beer fans, grab your sunnies and crank up the volume—Ska Brewing is dropping the mic on West Coast IPAs with a fresh, modern twist that’s hitting shelves nationwide right now!

From their punk-rock headquarters in Durango, Colorado, Ska is bringing back the classic West Coast style, but they’ve leveled it up with a killer lineup of today’s hottest hops. Think crisp, crushable vibes that ditch the old-school grassy funk for massive bursts of citrus, pine, peach, and stone fruit dankness. At 6.6% ABV, it’s got approachable bitterness, a super-smooth finish, and that signature Ska attitude in every sip.

They first unleashed this bad boy over Super Bowl weekend at the brewery (talk about a halftime hero!), and now it’s rolling out year-round in cans and on draft across Colorado, Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Utah—and beyond.

“Ska West Coast IPA is all about modern hop wizardry,” says Production Manager Chris Kurr. “We’re talking Cryo Mosaic, Cryo Citra, Alora, Eureka, CGX Idaho 7, and Strata Hyperboost—varieties that weren’t even around 20 years ago. They deliver huge citrus-pine punch without any of that vegetal weirdness from the old days.”

If you’re a longtime Ska devotee, you know they pioneered Colorado’s OG canned IPA with Modus Hoperandi—that bold, amber, mega-bitter classic that started it all. This new West Coast IPA flips the script to today’s lighter, brighter take: less body, more aroma explosion, and perfect for crushing on a sunny afternoon.

That eye-popping can design? Pure Ska energy—checkered flags, bold graphics, and enough attitude to make your fridge look like a mosh pit.
Since 1995, Ska Brewing has been brewing beers that refuse to play by the rules, blending punk spirit, ska rhythms, and straight-up deliciousness. From the iconic Mexican Logger to the rebellious Modus Hoperandi, they’re all about crafting stuff as unique and fun as the folks who crack ’em open.

So whether you’re in the Southwest or spotting it farther afield, snag a six-pack of Ska West Coast IPA and raise one to the West Coast renaissance—modern hops, timeless vibes.

About Ska Brewing

Ska Brewing kicked off in 1995 in the mountain town of Durango, Colorado, when two friends, Dave Thibodeau and Bill Graham, turned their teenage passion for homebrewing—soundtracked by blasting ska music and fueled by comic book vibes—into a full-fledged brewery. Starting small with second-hand dairy equipment in a downtown spot, they brewed up character-driven beers that refused to conform, blending punk-rock rebellion with craft beer’s emerging scene. Matt Vincent joined as original head brewer shortly after (buying in around 1999), helping pioneer bold flavors like their iconic Modus Hoperandi IPA, one of Colorado’s first canned IPAs. The name and aesthetic drew straight from the ska and rude boy culture—think black-and-white checkerboards, two-tone energy, and a DIY spirit that screamed “it takes characters to brew beer with character.”

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Czechvar Appoints Global Beer Network as New U.S. Importer

February 20, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Cheers to a frothy new chapter for one of the world’s purest lagers! Czechvar, the legendary state-owned gem straight from the heart of Czech brewing in České Budějovice (yep, the original Budweis), has teamed up with Global Beer Network (GBN) as its new official U.S. importer—effective right now. Grab your favorite glass, because this partnership is about to make authentic Czech lager even easier to find from coast to coast.

Picture this: crisp, golden pours bursting with those world-famous Saaz hops, Moravian malt magic, and centuries of no-shortcuts brewing tradition. Czechvar isn’t just beer—it’s liquid history, protected by Czech law and poured with pride as the nation’s own benchmark lager.

“GBN knows how to treat heritage brands like royalty,” says Jitka Vlcková, Regional Director – West at Czechvar. “Their passion for real education, top-notch quality, and building brands the right way makes them the perfect crew to help more American beer fans discover what true Czech lager tastes like.”

Since 1996, Global Beer Network has been all about importing and championing premium international brews that stay true to their roots—think old-world craftsmanship and cultural soul in every bottle. Adding Czechvar to their lineup of iconic European heavy-hitters? That’s like adding the king of lagers to an already epic tap list.

“We’re genuinely stoked to welcome Czechvar into the GBN family,” shares Daniel Leeman, EVP of Sales and Marketing at Global Beer Network. “This beer captures the absolute essence of Czech brewing—pure, traditional, and full of character. We’re gearing up to bring it to more spots across the country while keeping every drop respectful to its heritage. Expect fresh marketing vibes centered on proper Czech beer service, culture education, and—drumroll—an exciting new product drop coming soon to shake things up!”

Quick Czechvar 411: Brewed in the historic halls of České Budějovice using time-honored methods and ingredients guarded like national treasures. As the Czech Republic’s official brewery, it carries the torch for authentic lager excellence.

About Global Beer Network:

These folks are pros at bringing the world’s best specialty and craft beers stateside, always prioritizing authenticity, quality, and the stories behind each brew.
With craft drinkers craving more genuine European lagers these days, this Czechvar + GBN hookup is timed perfectly. Get ready for wider availability in bars, restaurants, and store shelves—because nothing beats raising a perfectly poured Czechvar with friends.

Na zdraví! Here’s to more legendary lagers flowing freely across the U.S.

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2026 Ohio Beer Awards Winners: Inaugural Statewide Craft Beer Competition Results

February 20, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

The 2026 Ohio Beer Awards, the inaugural statewide competition presented by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association and proudly sponsored by Lagersmith, celebrated the exceptional talent and innovation of Ohio’s craft brewers, cider makers, and mead producers. With nearly 500 entries submitted from over 100 breweries, cideries, and meaderies across the Buckeye State, expert judges blind-tasted beers in 26 diverse categories during judging sessions held January 19–21 at MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati. Winners were announced on February 16 at a lively ceremony at Seventh Son Brewing in Columbus, where 47 producers earned well-deserved gold, silver, and bronze medals. Highlights included Masthead Brewing and Noble Beast Brewing (both from Cleveland) sharing Brewery of the Year honors for their standout medal hauls, alongside special recognitions like the Aluminate Award for Best Can Design. This exciting new event shines a spotlight on Ohio’s thriving craft beverage scene, highlighting the quality, creativity, and community spirit that make Buckeye State beers, ciders, and meads among the best in the nation.

Ohio Craft Beer Medal Winners
Category 1: European Pilsner
Gold: Daytonian Rhapsody, Eudora Brewing Company, Kettering, Ohio
Silver: Geist der Glocke, Bell Tower Brewing Co., Kent, Ohio
Bronze: Golem, Gemüt Biergarten, Columbus, Ohio

Category 2: Golden, Blonde and Other Light Ales
Gold: Sampsel House Kölsch, Uniontown Brewing Co., Ashland, Ohio
Silver: Little Kings Cream Ale, Cincinnati Beverage Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Hungarian Pearl, Immigrant Son Brewery, Lakewood, Ohio

Category 3: Hoppy Lagers
Gold: Stinkin Lincoln New Zealand Pilsner, Uniontown Brewing Co., Ashland, Ohio
Silver: IPL Eins, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery, Fresno, Ohio
Bronze: Scusi, Traum Brewing, Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Category 4: Light European Lagers
Gold: Rustic Helles, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery, Fresno, Ohio
Silver: Brewer, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Lakeshore Lager, Collision Bend Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio

Category 5: Dark European Lagers
Gold: Svartalfheim, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Silver: Tmavé Pivo, Birdfish Brewing Company, Columbiana, Ohio
Bronze: Rubezahl, Gemüt Biergarten, Columbus, Ohio

Category 6: World Lagers
Gold: Float Day, Yellow Springs Brewery, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Silver: Shower Beer, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Multinational Pilsner, Crooked Can Brewing Company, Hilliard, Ohio

Category 7: Porter and Stout
Gold: Punderson Porter, Bummin’ Beaver Brewery, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Silver: Shuck Yeah, The 1547 Project, Cortland, Ohio
Bronze: Porter, The Brew Brothers, Columbus, Ohio

Category 8: Classic UK and American Styles
Gold: Old School, Three Tigers Brewing, Granville, Ohio
Silver: All the Leaves, Broadview Brewing Company, Broadview Heights, Ohio
Bronze: Stone Fort, Seventh Son Brewing Co., Columbus, Ohio

Category 9: Belgian Beers, German Wheat Beers and Traditional Brett Beers
Gold: Valor, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Silver: Hefeweizen, JAFB Wooster Brewery, Wooster, Ohio
Bronze: Captain Stardust, Yellow Springs Brewery, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Category 10: Red Beers
Gold: Ida Love a Red, Red Wagon Brewing, Columbia Station, Ohio
Silver: Frontline, Akronym Brewing, Akron, Ohio
Bronze: Scot’s an Evil Man, Schnitz Ale Brewery, Parma, Ohio

Category 11: Strong Beers
Gold: Old Dick, New Berlin Brewing Company, North Canton, Ohio
Silver: Brasky, Combustion Brewery & Taproom, Pickerington, Ohio
Bronze: We Don’t Rat, We Don’t Run 2025, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio

Category 12: Sessionable Hoppy Beers
Gold: Henry, Akronym Brewing, Akron, Ohio
Silver: Light Rajah, The Brew Kettle, Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Bronze: Small Axe, Three Tigers Brewing, Granville, Ohio

Category 13: American IPA
Gold: Ca$h After Ten, Ghost Tree Brewing Company, Amherst, Ohio
Silver: Evil Motives, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: JAF IPA, JAFB Wooster Brewery, Wooster, Ohio

Category 14: West Coast IPA
Gold: Danko, Three Tigers Brewing, Granville, Ohio
Silver: The Cleveland Experiment V7, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Isolated IPA, JAFB Wooster Brewery, Wooster, Ohio

Category 15: Hazy, Juicy, New England IPA
Gold: Fast Friends, Derive Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Creative Space, Yellow Springs Brewery, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Bronze: Captain Hazy, Collision Bend Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio

Category 16: Imperial IPA and Dark Hoppy Beers
Gold: The Word, Collision Bend Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Silver: Turtlenecks and Gold Chains, Derive Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio
Bronze: Now We’re Talkin’, Combustion Brewery & Taproom, Pickerington, Ohio

Category 17: Barrel-Aged Beers
Gold: Celestial Reserve (Dow’s 65th Birthday Blend), Third Eye Brewing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
Silver: Pounding Husks, Wandering Monsters Brewing, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Bag of Hammers, Akronym Brewing (in collaboration with The Brew Kettle), Akron, Ohio

Category 18: Barrel-Aged Stout
Gold: Faded Echoes – Ivory Depths, Counterbalance Brewing, Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Underverse, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Barrel Aged Cheap Heat, Streetside Brewery, Cincinnati, Ohio

Category 19: Spiced Holiday Beers
Gold: Winter Warmer, New Berlin Brewing Company, North Canton, Ohio
Silver: Slow Toboggan, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: John Dough, Wandering Monsters Brewing, Cincinnati, Ohio

Category 20: Flavored Beers
Gold: Fox in the Stout, Seventh Son Brewing Co., Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Chunkzilla, Wandering Monsters Brewing, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Chai Spiced Imperial Stout, Parsons North Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio

Category 22: Fruit Beers
Gold: Cha-Cha-Cha… Cherry Bomb!, Four Paws Brewing, Columbia Station, Ohio
Silver: Blood Brothers, Hop Brothers Brewing Company, North Ridgeville, Ohio
Bronze: Nightfall, Traum Brewing, Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Category 23: Coffee Beer
Gold: Wired Euphoria, Third Eye Brewing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
Silver: Good Morning 818, Southern Ohio Brewing, Beavercreek, Ohio
Bronze: The Daily Grind, Akronym Brewing, Akron, Ohio

Category 24: Historical Beer, Smoked Beer, Experimental Beer and Specialty Beverages
Gold: Rauchfräug Strong Märzen Lager, Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, Akron, Ohio
Silver: Lee Morgan, GlendAlehouse, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Hanayori Mo Bīru, Eighty-Three Brewery, Akron, Ohio

Category 25: Sour and Mixed Culture Beers
Gold: Barrel Aged Flemish Kriek, Parsons North Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Eau Rouge, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Reverie, Edison Brewing Company, Gahanna, Ohio

Category 26: Cider
Gold: Kelly’s Dry, West End Ciderhouse, Athens, Ohio
Silver: Shell Jelly, Funky Turtle Brewing Co., Toledo, Ohio
Bronze: TinCap Pineapple, TinCap Hard Cider, Wilmington, Ohio

Category 27: Mead
Gold: MVWS, Four Fires Meadery, Maumee, Ohio
Silver: Booty Blue, Dutch Creek Winery, Athens, Ohio
Bronze: Stonefruit Slow Jams, Four Fires Meadery, Maumee, Ohio

About the Ohio Craft Brewers Association
The Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA), founded in 2008 as a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, was established to unify Ohio’s brewing community, market Ohio-manufactured craft beers throughout the state and beyond, and advocate for a strong, thriving beer industry.

Over the past 18 years, the OCBA has grown into the official unified voice for the state’s craft brewers, with a mission “to promote, preserve, diversify, and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry.” The association represents hundreds of operating breweries, breweries-in-planning, allied trade partners, and enthusiast supporters through tiered memberships—including Brewery, Allied, and Enthusiast levels—that deliver marketing and promotional support, legislative advocacy, educational programming such as the annual Ohio Craft Brewers Conference, signature events like Ohio Pint Day, and a collaborative network that fosters industry growth and camaraderie. Today, OCBA member breweries and partners help drive Ohio’s dynamic craft beer scene, which boasts more than 440 licensed craft breweries (ranking 8th nationally) and contributes nearly $3 billion in total economic impact to the state.

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Lone Tree Brewing Parker Turns 2! Wee Heavy Return, Live Music & Anniversary Party – Feb 28, 2026

February 19, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Grab your crew, raise a pint, and let’s DOUBLE DOWN because Lone Tree Brewing’s Parker spot is turning TWO and throwing the kind of party that screams “Colorado craft beer good times”!

Back in early 2024, Lone Tree Brewing rolled into Parker and quickly turned their second home into the go-to neighborhood hangout. This spot isn’t just any taproom—it’s their pilot brewery playground for dreaming up new recipes, and it’s become a legit community hub faster than you can say “cheers!”

Candace Peterson, our Director of Tasting Rooms, sums it up perfectly: “We’re straight-up forever grateful to the Parker fam who’s welcomed us with open arms and made us feel like home. Shoutout to our killer bar crew who sling pints with smiles, and our brewers who grind daily to pour the best stuff possible. You all make the magic happen!”

So mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28—we’re going all-in from 11am to 8pm at Lone Tree Brewing Parker (18425 Pony Express Drive, Parker, CO 80134). Here’s the lineup to get your weekend buzzing:

Swing by early to score those sweet, limited-edition 2nd Anniversary glassware drops (they’re going fast—once they’re gone, poof!)
1–4pm: Live tunes from the one and only Jon Ham—bring your dancing shoes (or just your nodding head)
All day long: Fuel up with grub from 2 Salty Sarges food truck
1–4pm: Sweet s’mores action courtesy of S’MORES TIME (because beer + fire-roasted marshmallows = winning combo)
5–8pm: Channel your inner high-roller with games like blackjack and roulette
7–9pm: Wrap the night with epic Music Bingo—test your playlist knowledge while sipping

It’s all open to the public, so rally the squad, bring your buddies, and come celebrate two years of great beer, great vibes, and even greater people.

Oh, and the star of the show? A special small-batch return of our beloved Wee Heavy—that rich, malty Scotch Ale beast that’s always a fan favorite. Pouring fresh just for the occasion!

Lone Tree Brewing kicked things off as the OG brewery in Lone Tree back in 2011, and we’ve been slinging stylistically diverse, crushable beers ever since. From our flagship spot near Park Meadows Mall to our Parker outpost, we’re all about growing friends over pints. Grab our cans or drafts in Colorado and Kansas—perfect for backyard hangs with your crew.

See you on the 28th—let’s make it a legendary one!

About Lone Tree Brewing:
Tree Brewing Company has been a beloved staple in Colorado’s craft beer scene since opening its doors in 2011 as the first brewery in Lone Tree, located in Denver’s vibrant South Metro area. Nestled conveniently near Park Meadows Mall off Park Meadows Drive, this independent, neighborhood-focused spot crafts a diverse lineup of hand-crafted beers, from crisp lagers and rich stouts to flavorful reds and innovative seasonal releases. With a strong emphasis on community, the tasting room welcomes families, furry friends (it’s one of the few Denver-area breweries that allows dogs inside), and locals alike for events like trivia nights, running club meetups, Brewery Bootcamp workouts, and nonprofit support. Whether you’re grabbing a pint of their flagship favorites or exploring limited releases, Lone Tree Brewing delivers approachable, high-quality brews rooted in Colorado’s love for great beer and good company.

Expanding its reach while staying true to its roots, Lone Tree Brewing now operates two welcoming locations, including a thriving satellite taproom in nearby Parker that serves as a hub for recipe innovation and community gatherings. Visitors rave about the relaxed, family-friendly vibe, excellent beer selection that appeals to every palate, and the perfect environment for unwinding after a day of exploring the area. From year-round core offerings to creative specials like stout month highlights, Lone Tree continues to build loyal fans through consistent quality, engaging events, and a genuine commitment to the South Denver communities it calls home—making it an essential stop for anyone seeking authentic Colorado craft beer experiences.

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Highland Brewing Rings in the Year of the Fire Horse with Epic Lunar New Year Vibes, Special AAPI-Brewed Releases & Community Magic

February 19, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Hey craft beer fam—ready to kick off 2026’s Year of the Fire Horse (think bold energy, blazing speed, good fortune, and straight-up resilience) the right way? Grab your crew and head to Highland Brewing in Asheville, NC’s hilltop oasis for a weekend-long Lunar New Year blowout that’s equal parts heritage celebration, hoppy goodness, and unbreakable community spirit!

Founded in 1994 by Chinese-Jamaican immigrant and engineering legend Oscar Wong (yep, he started Asheville’s craft beer revolution!), Highland has been pouring award-winners like the iconic Gaelic Ale (that original amber legend), juicy Highland Haze IPA, and chill Daycation series for over 30 years. As a proud Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)-led, family-owned, woman-led brewery (shoutout to President/CEO Leah Wong Ashburn, Oscar’s daughter), they’re all about blending roots, innovation, and killer pints.

This year’s festivities hit extra hard—coming off Hurricane Helene’s tough 2024 aftermath, where Highland stepped up BIG: raising $13K+ for hospitality workers, turning their taproom/warehouse into a relief hub, and keeping the community hydrated and fed. Now, a year+ later, the Lunar New Year toast is all about new beginnings, good luck, and bouncing back stronger—Fire Horse style!

Leah Wong Ashburn nails it: “Lunar New Year is about gathering with friends and family over traditions and flavors we love. We’re honoring our roots as Asheville’s OG craft brewery, celebrating the community’s grit over the past year and a half, and sharing joy, fresh starts, and good vibes with everyone.”
Star of the Show: Fire Horse Chocolate Porter

Highland’s back with their annual coast-to-coast collab with Seattle’s Asian-owned Lucky Envelope Brewing—this rich, roasty Fire Horse Chocolate Porter brings deep dark chocolate vibes, layered malts, a touch of smoked sea salt + cinnamon magic, and a warm, bold finish that screams Fire Horse energy. Limited and legendary—don’t sleep on it!
Weekend Highlights – Feb 21-22 at Highland’s 40-Acre Hilltop Campus

Saturday, Feb 21: Taproom & Event Center transformation (11am–3pm-ish vibes) with live dragon dance performances, food trucks rolling, family-friendly fun, and the on-site-only drop of four special Lunar New Year brews in a festive flight:

Fire Horse Chocolate Porter (the collab hero)
Luck Red Ale
Good Fortune Rice Lager
Joy Wheat Ale with lemongrass & ginger

Evening glow-up: Glow-in-the-Dark Disc Golf Tournament (6-9pm) on the course—think neon discs, prizes (including Fire Horse bottles!), and pure fun under the lights.
Sunday, Feb 22: Epic Dim Sum Brunch with Chef J Chong (J Chong Eats, Big Brunch finalist)—a modern twist on classic dim sum dishes symbolizing prosperity, luck, longevity, and happiness, perfectly paired with Highland beers.

This is more than beer—it’s a vibrant, inclusive festival celebrating Asian brewing heritage (Asia’s been brewing since ~7000 BCE, yet only ~2% of U.S. breweries are Asian-owned—Highland’s changing that narrative with flavor and heart!).
As the Southeast’s largest family-owned native brewery (distributing across NC, SC, TN, GA), Highland keeps it real: massive solar array for sustainability, tours, live music, and big expansions coming in 2026 (outdoor retail shop, rock-climbing gym, pizza spot—yes please!).
Swing by Highland Brewing’s campus, raise a pint to resilience and good fortune, and toast the Year of the Fire Horse with some of the best AAPI-brewed craft beer out there. See you on the hill—let’s make it epic! 🐎🔥🍻✨

About Highland Brewing

Highland Brewing pioneered Asheville’s craft scene in 1994, founded by retired engineer Oscar Wong. Since 2016, it’s been proudly woman-led by his daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn. As a minority-founded, family-owned powerhouse, they brew classics and innovate with sustainability (one of the largest solar setups in U.S. craft beer). Visit for limited releases, events, and good times—more upgrades on the way in 2026!

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TailGate Brewery Releases a New Year Round IPA, Wizard’s Order

February 19, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Hey Tennessee beer lovers—get ready to level up your fridge and taproom game because TailGate Brewery just cast a permanent spell with their newest year-round release: Wizard’s Order IPA (6% ABV). This hop-forward wizard is joining the core lineup alongside the legendary TailGate Orange Wheat, and it’s hitting draft lines and 6-packs of 12oz cans at retailers statewide right now!

This isn’t some quick conjured brew—it’s the result of over a year (some say closer to 2.5 years!) of serious R&D wizardry by the TailGate crew. They first unleashed the Wizards’ Order series as rotating experiments last year, tweaking hops, gathering feedback, and dialing in the perfect potion. The crowd went wild, so now it’s officially here to stay. Pure craft beer sorcery!

Brewed with Krush and Citra hops, barley and wheat malts, Wizard’s Order bursts with juicy vibes: think ripe mango, passionfruit, and bright fresh orange zest, all balanced on a medium body with subtle bread and caramel notes for that smooth, crushable finish. Tropical, hoppy, refreshing—it’s the IPA you’ve been wishing for!
“Through this R&D grind, we get to play mad scientist, listen to what our fans love, perfect the recipe, and drop the absolute best version possible,” says Wesley Keegan, TailGate’s founder and sole owner. “That’s how we keep the magic alive.”

Grab a pint (or a sixer) at one of TailGate’s taprooms across Tennessee—perfect spots to pair it with their scratch-made pizza. Pro tip: Wizard’s Order’s bright, hoppy kick is pure fire next to the Spicy Vodka Pizza—that vodka sauce base, mozzarella, pepperoni, ricotta dollops, and hot honey drizzle? Chef’s kiss meets hoppy heaven.
Find it now at all TailGate locations (from Nashville HQ to Chattanooga and beyond) or your local craft beer spot. Swing by, raise a glass, and toast to independent Tennessee brewing done right.

About TailGate Brewery

TailGate Brewery is a proudly independent craft brewery and pizzeria headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2014. With eight taprooms across the state (plus an airport outpost), they sling inventive beers, scratch-made pizzas, and killer vibes. Known for treating their 250+ team members like family—with great wages, 100% paid health benefits, and an awesome workplace—they brew four award-winning year-round stars: TailGate Orange Wheat, Lager Projekt, Wizard’s Order IPA, and TailGate Cider. Plus, over 300 unique recipes annually and fresh small-batch drops weekly (taproom exclusives only!). TailGate beers are available in cans and on draft at retailers, restaurants, and craft spots throughout Tennessee.

Cheers to the new core king—Wizard’s Order IPA is casting spells statewide!

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St. Louis Beer Scene Earns Four Nominations in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Awards

February 3, 2026 by Spencer Mapes

St. Louis continues to prove why it’s one of America’s most respected beer cities. The region has secured four nominations in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, reinforcing its reputation as a top destination for craft beer lovers. Voting runs through late February, with winners announced in early March.

This year’s nominations highlight the depth and diversity of the St. Louis brewing community:

Best Beer City: St. Louis
Best Brewpub: Perennial on Lockwood
Best New Brewery: Blue Jay Brewing Company
Best Brewery Tour: Anheuser‑Busch

These categories reflect both the city’s historic brewing legacy and its continually evolving craft beer culture.

A Changing, Strengthening St. Louis Craft Beer Landscape

According to Troika Brodsky, executive director of STL Beer, the St. Louis beer scene has transformed significantly since the pre‑COVID era.

“The pre‑COVID St. Louis beer scene feels like a different era,” Brodsky says. “The last six years brought real disruption—rising costs, supply chain pressures, shifting consumer habits, and tough decisions that led to some brewery closures. Not everything snapped back to ‘normal,’ and pretending otherwise wouldn’t be honest.”

Despite those challenges, he says the region’s breweries have emerged more focused and more innovative.

“Brewers today are more disciplined, more innovative, and more intentional than ever,” Brodsky adds. “While some beloved breweries were lost, new ones emerged, others evolved, and the overall quality, creativity, and professionalism of the scene has continued to rise.”

This evolution positions St. Louis as a standout destination for beer tourism and craft beer exploration.

National Recognition Boosts St. Louis Beer Tourism

For STL Beer creative director Brian Margiotta, the USA Today 10Best spotlight helps broaden national awareness of the city’s modern brewing identity.

“National recognition helps put St. Louis on the map as a beer destination,” Margiotta says. “That kind of attention brings new eyes to our brewing scene and often to the city itself, prompting visitors to check out our neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.”

He notes that many visitors still associate St. Louis primarily with Anheuser‑Busch, but the craft beer offerings now span an impressive range of styles.

“You can find everything from stouts, saisons, sours, and hazy IPAs to classic styles and even several breweries that focus heavily on the style that helped put St. Louis on the map: lagers,” Margiotta says. “Simply put, there’s a beer for everyone in St. Louis.”

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