Dow Scoggins

In honor of Elvis Presley’s Birthday – BeerInfo’s Beer of the Day – Brewdog Elvis Juice

January 8, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

In honor of Elvis’s Birthday, BeerInfo’s Beer of the Day is Brewdog Elvis Juice brewed by brewdog. Elvis Juice is an IPA like no other. This IPA puts grapefruit center stage. Primed with tart pithy grapefruit peel for a citrus assault on the senses. This zest zenith delivers intense US hop aromas. Gigantic grapefruit notes are tail-gated by orange and pine. All piled high on a caramel malt base. ABV: 6.5% IBU: 60

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935. Presley is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He was commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Lawsuit:
The Ellon-based brewer initially lost the right to call its grapefruit and blood orange IPA ‘Elvis Juice’ after the UK Intellectual Property Office found in favour of the Elvis Presley estate last June.

Before the first ruling, BrewDog founders James Watt and Martin Dickie both changed their names to ‘Elvis’ by deed poll after the estate took legal action against them.

The Presley estate objected after BrewDog applied to register ‘Elvis Juice’ and ‘BrewDog Elvis Juice’ as trademarks. It felt that the application was in conflict with its registered trademark and believed that people buying BrewDog’s beer could mistakenly believe that the estate had endorsed the product.

In the appeal hearing, BrewDog has been given permission to trademark ‘Brewdog Elvis Juice’ (but not ‘Elvis Juice’) and a ruling has been overturned which ordered the brewer to pay the estate £1,500 in costs.(The Drinks Buisness)

More about Brewdog USA
BrewDog USA, the American arm of the iconic Scottish craft beer pioneer, continues to lead the charge in innovative brewing from its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. Home to a massive 100,000-square-foot brewery and the world’s first craft beer hotel, The DogHouse, BrewDog USA offers an immersive experience complete with beer taps in guest rooms, brewery tours, and epic taprooms pouring flagship favorites like Punk IPA alongside bold new releases. In 2025, the brand achieved a remarkable 26% volume growth by focusing on core headliners and strategic markets, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the U.S. craft scene.

Fresh off launching the piney and tropical BrewDog IPA—a 6.3% ABV tribute to Chinook and Citra hops—and earning “Best Brewery Experience” in Columbus’s 2025 awards, BrewDog USA invites beer enthusiasts to discover its vibrant bars in Ohio, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Denver. With a commitment to quality, sustainability, and punk spirit, BrewDog USA is crafting unforgettable moments for hop lovers nationwide, proving that great beer truly is great for the planet.

Top 10 Beer Festivals in America plus a few more: Click Here!

Brewery Bobbleheads and National Bobblehead Day – January 7th.

January 7, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Every January 7, beer lovers and collectors alike get to double down on fun because it’s National Bobblehead Day! This quirky holiday, established in 2015 by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum in Milwaukee (aka Brew City), celebrates those wobbly-headed figurines that bring endless nods of approval to desks, dashboards, and man caves everywhere. From sports stars to celebrities, bobbleheads have been bobbing along since the 1960s boom, but they’ve got roots going back centuries. And what’s better than a bobblehead? One that’s beer-themed, of course—perfect for toasting the day with your favorite brew!

Imagine your shelf lined with nodding icons like the Lone Star Beer armadillo chugging a cold one, Mr. Boh from Natty Boh hoisting a can, or classic beer barons like Pabst and Schlitz giving eternal approval to your pint. These limited-edition gems from the Bobblehead Hall often drop around beer holidays, making National Bobblehead Day the ideal excuse to hunt for that perfect brew-inspired nodder.

Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just love a good lager, grab your favorite beer, dust off your collection (or start one!), and share your bobblehead pics with #NationalBobbleheadDay. Here’s to heads that bob in agreement—especially when the answer is “another round?” Prost!

Top 10 Imperial Red Ales Brewed in the United States

December 26, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

Top 10 Imperial Red Ales

This Top Ten Imperial Red list is from the results of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. Imperial Red Ales are deep amber to dark copper/reddish brown. May exhibit a small amount of chill haze at cold temperatures. Fruity-ester aroma is medium. Hop aroma is intense, arising from any variety of hops. Medium to high caramel malt character is present. Hop flavor is intense, but balanced with other beer characters. May use any variety of hops. Hop bitterness is intense. Alcohol content is very high and of notable character. Complex alcohol flavors may be evident. Body is full. ABV: 8.0%-10.6%. IBU: 55-85

1. Paradocs Red IIPA – Raised Grain Brewing Co. – Wisconsin
2. Knuckle Sandwich – Bootlegger’s Brewery – California
3. Screaming Hand Imperial Amber – Strike Brewing – California
4. Wreak Havoc – Bootstrap Brewing – Colorado
5. reDANKulous – Backstage Series – Founders Brewing – Michigan
6. Nugget Nectar – Tröegs Brewing Company – Pennsylvania
7. Hop Head Red Ale – Green Flash Brewing – California
8. Lucky 13 Mondo Large Red Ale – Lagunitas Brewing – California
9. Hog Heaven: Imperial Red IPA – Avery Brewing – Colorado
10. G’Knight Imperial Red Ale – Oskar Blues Brewery – Colorado

History of Imperial Red Ales

The Imperial Red Ale, a bold and hoppy beer style, emerged in the late 20th century as part of the American craft beer revolution. Its roots trace back to the West Coast, where brewers began experimenting with traditional amber and red ales, amplifying their malt sweetness, hop bitterness, and alcohol content to create a more robust version. Inspired by the assertive flavors of Imperial IPAs, the Imperial Red Ale combined the caramel and toffee notes of red ales with intense hop profiles, often featuring citrus, pine, or resinous characteristics from American hop varieties like Cascade or Centennial. By the 1990s, breweries like Rogue Ales and Lagunitas were producing early examples, such as Rogue’s Red Fox and Lagunitas’ Imperial Red, which helped define the style’s signature balance of rich malt depth and aggressive hoppiness, appealing to a growing audience of craft beer enthusiasts seeking bigger, bolder flavors.

As the craft beer movement expanded in the 2000s, Imperial Red Ales gained wider popularity, with breweries across the United States putting their own spin on the style. The beer’s deep ruby hue, derived from specialty malts like crystal or Munich, became a hallmark, while its alcohol content, typically ranging from 7.5% to 10% ABV, positioned it as a sipping beer for bold palates. Regional variations emerged, with some brewers leaning into sweeter, malt-forward profiles and others emphasizing hop-driven bitterness or experimenting with barrel aging to add complexity. The style’s versatility made it a favorite at beer festivals and taprooms, though its intensity meant it remained a niche compared to lighter, more accessible beers. Today, Imperial Red Ales continue to thrive in the craft beer scene, celebrated for their vibrant color, layered flavors, and ability to bridge the gap between malt lovers and hop heads.

Top 10 Beers in America – Ales Lagers Specialty Barrel Aged

Sierra Nevada Brewing Launches Nationwide “Resilience IPA” Initiative to Support Camp Fire Recover

December 17, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

Chico, California — Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. announced today the release of Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, a beer brewed for one reason: to help rebuild the communities devastated by the Camp Fire. Every single dollar from sales of Resilience IPA will go directly to Camp Fire relief and long-term recovery efforts.

But Sierra Nevada isn’t stopping there. The brewery is calling on every craft brewery in America to join the movement by brewing their own version of Resilience IPA and donating 100% of the proceeds to the same cause. To make it as easy as possible for breweries to participate, Sierra Nevada has partnered with malt and hop suppliers to donate ingredients to any brewery that signs up.

Production kicks off on Giving Tuesday, November 27, with hundreds of breweries already committed to brewing Resilience IPA on the same day in a nationwide show of solidarity.

“Chico and our brewery were spared, but the Camp Fire destroyed the hometowns of many of our employees, their families, and our closest friends,” said Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman. “This community has supported us for almost 40 years. Now it’s our turn to show up for them in the biggest way we know how – together.”

The Camp Fire, which started November 8 just miles from Sierra Nevada’s Chico brewery, is now the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. It has burned more than 142,000 acres, taken dozens of lives, destroyed nearly 10,000 homes, and displaced thousands – including close to 14% of Sierra Nevada’s own local workforce.

All proceeds from every Resilience IPA – whether brewed by Sierra Nevada or any participating brewery – will go straight to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund for ongoing rebuilding efforts.

Look for Sierra Nevada’s Resilience Butte County Proud IPA on draft and in limited-edition cans starting early January 2019 nationwide. Want to help right now? Donate directly at the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund.

In the fire’s immediate aftermath, Sierra Nevada launched the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund to deliver sustained support for rebuilding efforts. All Resilience IPA proceeds will flow directly into this fund.

Sierra Nevada’s Resilience IPA hit shelves and taps in limited can and draft distribution starting early January 2019.

Sierra Nevada Brewing
Founded in 1980 by homebrewer Ken Grossman in Chico, California, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company emerged as a pioneer in the American craft beer movement, starting with recycled dairy equipment and a passion for bold, hop-forward flavors. What began as a modest garage-to-warehouse operation quickly gained acclaim with the release of its flagship Pale Ale, revolutionizing the industry by emphasizing quality ingredients and innovative brewing techniques. Over the decades, the company expanded from its California roots to include a state-of-the-art facility in Mills River, North Carolina, solidifying its status as one of the largest independent craft breweries in the United States while staying true to its family-owned ethos.

Today, Sierra Nevada continues to lead with a strong commitment to sustainability, diverting 99.8% of solid waste from landfills through advanced recycling, composting, and partnerships that repurpose spent grain for local farms. Recognized as the EPA’s “Green Business of the Year” in 2010, the brewery invests heavily in renewable energy, operational efficiency, and eco-friendly practices, ensuring that every pint contributes to a healthier planet. With a diverse portfolio of award-winning beers and a dedication to community and environmental responsibility, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company remains at the forefront of craft innovation, blending tradition with forward-thinking stewardship.

History of Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery and Samuel Smith’s Winter Welcome Ale

December 3, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

The History of Winter Welcome
For centuries, robust, higher-alcohol beers have warmed winter holiday gatherings, uniting old friends in seasonal cheer. Wassail, a pre-Christian festival honoring winter and its brews, reflects this tradition. Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery’s Winter Welcome Ale, vintage-dated with a unique label annually, debuted in the US in 1990 as the first imported winter seasonal beer. Enjoy it in a Sam Smith tulip or nonik glass during the holidays.

Taste
Honey-amber colored, creamy head of small bubbles, floral aroma and delicious caramel malt flavor with great finesse. Fine hop aroma finish and a fruity note from fermentation in open-topped stone “Yorkshire Squares.”

Serving Suggestion
Roast goose, smoked turkey with oyster dressing, rack of lamb, candied yams, Smithfield hams, fresh pears and apples, Christmas cake. Serve in crystal tumblers, or traditional Yorkshire tulip or nonik pint glasses.

A Frothy Tale of Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery: Yorkshire’s Timeless Brew
Picture this: a quaint Yorkshire town where horse-drawn carts clatter down cobblestone streets, delivering barrels of beer brewed with methods older than the American Revolution. Welcome to Tadcaster, home of Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery, a place where time seems to have sipped a pint and decided to linger. Founded in 1758, this family-owned gem is Yorkshire’s oldest brewery, and it’s got stories, quirks, and beers that could make even a teetotaler raise a glass. Let’s dive into the frothy world of Sam Smith’s, where tradition reigns, and every pint is a taste of history.

A Sip of History
Tadcaster’s brewing roots stretch back to the 14th century, thanks to its gypsum-rich wells that churn out water perfect for crafting crisp, clean ales. Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery kicked off as Backhouse & Hartley in 1758, but it wasn’t until 1886 that Samuel Smith, a tenacious nephew sidelined from the family’s other brewery (yes, there’s a juicy family feud in there), took the reins. He inherited an empty building—his uncle had cheekily moved all the equipment next door—but Samuel refitted it and turned it into a brewing powerhouse.

Fast forward to today, and the brewery still uses water from that same 1758 well, pumped 85 feet from an underground limestone lake. They ferment in Yorkshire Squares—stone vessels made of Welsh slate that give their beers a fuller-bodied flavor. The yeast? It’s the same strain they’ve used since the 1800s, like a family heirloom passed down through generations. And if that’s not old-school enough, they’ve got a cooper on staff making barrels and a team of dapple-grey Shire horses delivering beer around Tadcaster. It’s not just brewing; it’s a living museum.

Beers That Sparked a Revolution
Samuel Smith’s isn’t just about nostalgia—they’re innovators in disguise. Their bottled beers, like the velvety Oatmeal Stout and the rich Taddy Porter, were game-changers. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, these brews inspired American craft beer pioneers like Goose Island and Brooklyn Brewery, who looked to Sam Smith’s for a masterclass in classic British styles. The Oatmeal Stout, reintroduced in 1980, single-handedly revived a nearly forgotten style.

Their lineup is a love letter to variety. From the crisp Organic Pale Ale to the decadent Organic Chocolate Stout, there{Feel free to add your own favorites!} they’ve got something for everyone. Love fruit? Try their cherry, apricot, or raspberry brews. Vegan? Good news—most of their beers (except Old Brewery Bitter and Yorkshire Stingo) are vegan-friendly, brewed with just malt, hops, yeast, and water. And for cider fans, their Organic Cider and Cider Reserve are crisp, refreshing treats.

One standout is the Winter Welcome Ale, a holiday favorite since 1990, when it became the first imported winter seasonal in the US. Each year, it sports a new vintage-dated label, perfect for sipping from a Sam Smith tulip glass while toasting old friends. It’s a rich, malty brew that warms the soul, like a cozy fireside chat in a pint.

Pubs Like No Other
Step into a Samuel Smith pub, and you’re stepping back in time. With over 200 pubs across the UK, including 20 in central London, these spots are time capsules. Think frosted windows, stained glass, and cozy rooms—some spartan, others plush with ornate wallpaper. The Crown Inn in Wetherby boasts furniture by craftsman Robert Thompson, while the Princess Louise in High Holborn has iconic bar booths.

But here’s where it gets quirky: no music, no TVs, no mobile devices. That’s right—Humphrey Smith, the brewery’s eccentric owner, runs these pubs like a Victorian headmaster. Want to check your phone? Step outside. It’s a bold move to keep the focus on conversation and beer, and locals either love it or grumble. Posts on X call it “counter-cultural” and “absurdly popular,” though some find the rules a bit much.

Quirks and Controversies
Speaking of Humphrey, he’s a character straight out of a Dickens novel. Known for his “Yorkshire bluntness,” he’s famously private, once hanging up on a US brewer requesting a tour. The brewery’s publicity-shy vibe is legendary—they’ve even dropped their branding from pubs and delivery trucks. In 1982, they made headlines by switching to an unlimited company, making owners personally liable for debts but freeing them from public financial disclosures.

Not everything’s rosy, though. Humphrey’s management style has sparked criticism. In 2015, he was fined for snubbing a pensions regulator, calling their request “tiresome.” During COVID, the brewery faced backlash for dodging test-and-trace systems in pubs. And in 2022, ex-managers won a dismissal case after being charged for alleged stock shortages, with a judge noting the company’s culture stifles objections. Some X posts and Reddit threads even call the beer “shite” and the pubs a “feudal” mess, though others defend the brewery’s commitment to tradition.

Why It Matters
Despite the controversies, Samuel Smith’s endures because it’s more than a brewery—it’s a stubborn stand against soulless corporate brews. As one X post put it, it’s not another “AB-Inbev-Coors-Marstons” conglomerate churning out “tasteless” beer. Their Shire horses, Yorkshire Squares, and cheap, high-quality pints keep fans coming back. Sure, 120 pubs reportedly sat empty in 2022 due to manager shortages—Humphrey’s strict rules don’t help—but the brewery’s export market, especially in the US via Merchant du Vin, keeps the taps flowing.

Raise a Glass
Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery is a paradox: fiercely traditional yet quietly revolutionary, eccentric but beloved. Whether you’re savoring a Nut Brown Ale in a historic pub or cracking open an Organic Cherry Ale at home, you’re tasting 267 years of craft, quirks, and Yorkshire grit. So, grab a pint, ditch your phone, and toast to a brewery that’s as stubborn as a Shire horse and twice as charming.

2024 FOBAB – Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beers Medal Winners and Best of Show

November 25, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

For more than 20 years, FoBAB has united the country’s premier barrel-aged brewing programs—showcasing brewers who expertly fuse art and science, wood and bourbon, timing and technique—in a singular celebration of craftsmanship and innovation. This year, over 170 breweries nationwide have submitted their rarest and most exclusive wood- and barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads, and perries for judging. Discover the full list of participating breweries below.

2024 FOBAB BEST IN SHOW
Hidden Hand Brewery – Oaked Val d’Or – Naperville, IL

2024 FOBAB BEST IN SHOWRUNNER UP
More Brewing Company Villa Park – Mehndi 2023 – Villa Park, IL

STRONG PORTER + STOUT
GOLD – Breakside Brewery & Taproom – Somebody New in the Old West – Milwaukie, OR
SILVER – White Oak Brewing – Into the Thick of It – Normal, IL
BRONZE – Firestone Walker – ParAmburana – Paso Robles, CA

STRONG PORTER + STOUT
GOLD – Cahaba Brewing Company – Romulus – Birmingham, AL
SILVER – Old Irving Brewing Company – Champurrado Krampus – Chicago, IL
BRONZE – Half Acre Beer Co. – Benthic 2 x 4 – Chicago, IL

BARLEYWINE/WHEATWINE
GOLD – Verboten Brewing – Double Oaked Cognac Grow Old With You – Loveland, CO
SILVER – Kros Strain Brewing – Barrelywine Vol.12 Single Barrel – LaVista, NE
BRONZE – Brothership Brewing – Noble Cask – Mokena, IL

BLENDED BEER
GOLD – The Lost Abbey – Serpent’s Kiss Imperial Stout for the Rare Beer Club 30th Anniversary – Vista, CA
SILVER – Third Eye Brewing – Barrel Aged Private Consciousness – Hamilton, OH
BRONZE – Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project – Grow In Darkness – Loveland, CO

OTHER PALE BEER
GOLD – Bubblehouse Brewing – That Escalated Swiftly – Lisle, IL
SILVER – Forbidden Root – Well Positioned – Oak Aged Saison – Chicago, IL
BRONZE – Sketchbook Brewing – Tripel G – Belgian Style Tripel – Skokie, IL

LAGERS
GOLD – Elmhurst Brewing – BA Elevator – Elmhurst, IL
SILVER – Kros Strain Brewing – Barrel-Aged Czech Dark Lager – LaVista, NE
BRONZE – Solemn Oath Brewery – Foederface – Naperville, IL

OTHER DARK BEER
GOLD – Half Acre Beer Co. – Orin – Chicago, IL
SILVER – Loose Ends Brewing – NPN – Applejack Brandy Barrel Aged – Centerville, OH
BRONZE – Sun King Brewery – Diddy Muckle – Fishers, IN

FRUIT BEER
GOLD – Revolution Brewing – Cherry V.S.O.J. – Chicago, IL
SILVER – Sun King Brewery – Soul Shakedown Party – Indianapolis, IN
BRONZE – Cruz Blanca Brewery – La Locura – Chicago, IL

SPECIALTY + EXPERIMENTAL
GOLD – Black Horizon Brewing – From Earth To You – Willowbrook, IL
SILVER – G5 Brewing Company – Eternal Burning – McFarland, WI
BRONZE – Cruz Blanca Brewery – Tepache Cowboy – Chicago, IL

WILD BEER BRETT
GOLD – Off Color Brewing – Funky Beer for Tacos – Chicago, IL
SILVER – Benchtop Brewing Company – Baby – Richmond, VA
BRONZE – Boulevard Brewing Company – Foeder 7 – Kansas City, MO

WILD BEER MIXED CULTURE (ACIDIC)
GOLD – Milieu Fermentation Company – SMOL – Aurora, CO
SILVER – Ike & Oak Brewing – Cutbow – Woodridge, IL
BRONZE – Imperial Oak Brewing-Brookfield Blanc Brookfield, IL

WILD BEER MIXED CULTURE (ACIDIC) W/ FRUIT
GOLD – Pryes Brewing – Idyll Forest: 2024 Soirée – Minneapolis, MN
SILVER – Firestone Walker Brewing – Primal Elements with Pink Guava and Pineapple – Buellton, CA
BRONZE – Lupulin Brewing Company – Star Damage – Calamansi & Sabro – Big Lake, MN

CIDER/PERRY/MEAD
GOLD – Misbeehavin’ Meads – Clint’s Apple Pie – Valparaiso, IN
SILVER – Misbeehavin’ Meads – Stake in the Tart – Valparaiso, IN
BRONZE – Right Bee Cider – Barrel-Aged Clementine – Chicago, IL

The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer
The Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB), held annually in Chicago, stands as the nation’s premier competition and tasting event dedicated exclusively to barrel-aged beers, ciders, meads, and perries. Founded in 2002 by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild, FoBAB attracts more than 170 breweries from coast to coast, each submitting their rarest, most meticulously crafted expressions—beers patiently matured in oak barrels once home to bourbon, rye, wine, or spirits, yielding layers of vanilla, caramel, smoke, and fruit that dance with the base brew’s character. Over a single weekend in November, hundreds of entries are blind-judged by BJCP-certified experts across dozens of style categories, crowning gold, silver, and bronze medals in a celebration of patience and precision. Attendees then flood the festival floor for a grand public tasting, sampling limited-release pours poured straight from the wood, an immersive showcase where innovation meets tradition in every glass.

For Fun Beer Facts, Trivia and more: Click Here

2018 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) Medal Winners

November 18, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

The 2018 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FoBAB) – aka the Super Bowl of Barrel-Aged Brews 🍻🥃 – is hands-down the world’s biggest and baddest barrel-aged beer bash and showdown! Every year, the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild throws open the doors in Chicago and invites breweries from every corner of the planet to flex their rarest, wildest, wood-kissed creations.

Every single pour – beer, cider, mead, perry – has been lovingly aged in wood or at least given a flirty little wood-chip spa day. And yeah, the brewers go full gladiator mode in the National Barrel-Aged Beer Competition for ultimate bragging rights.

This year? A whopping 400+ barrel-aged beauties from 210 breweries across 30 states threw their hats (and barrels) in the ring.

Ready for the 2018 FoBAB medal winners? Let’s pop the cork on the champs!

2018 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer Medal Winners

Category Cider, Perry, Mead
Gold: Cellarmen’s – Valentine Liberator Gin Barrel Aged Cranpus
Silver: Superstition Meadery – Aphrodisia
Bronze: 2 Towns Ciderhouse – La Mure

Category Wild Beer Sour w/Fruit
Gold: Rhinegeist Brewery – Perpetual Passion
Silver: The Rare Barrel- Playing for Keeps
Bronze: Horus Aged Ales – Goodbye to Beauty

Category Wild Beer Sour
Gold: Hopewell Brewing Company – Crudites
Silver: Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project – L’Brett D’or
Bronze: The Rare Barrel – The Search

Category: Wild Beer Brett
Gold: Off Color – Mousetrap – Wildings
Silver: Blackberry Farm Brewery – Barrel Series Brett Belgo IPA
Bronze: Funkwerks – Sauvin Serve

Category: Fruit Beer
Gold: Werk Force Brewing – Farmhouse Vultures Saison with Raspberries and Blackberries
Silver: Werk Force Brewing – The Legend of Mr. Birger Saison
Bronze: Brickstone – Barrel Aged AfterWorld with Luxardo Cherries

Category: Specialty Experimental
Gold: Fremont Brewing – B-Bomb: Coconut Edition
Silver: St. Francis Brewery – Teotwawki
Bronze: The Dayton Beer Company – Deep Sea Diving Aged in Bookers

Category: Strong Dark Beer Category
Gold: Rock Bottom Brewery(Portland) – 5th Dimension
Silver: Karetas Brewing – Colm Cille
Bronze: Half Acre Brewing – Orin

Category: Strong Pale Beer
Gold: Pollyanna Brewing – Orenda Volume 03 Aged in Apple Brandy Barrels
Silver: Karetas Brewing – Sacre Coeur
Bronze: Nebraska Brewing – Melange a Trois

Category: Classic Beer Styles
Gold: Middle Brow Beer Company – Sassafras Brut
Silver: Church Street Brewing – Holly Moly
Bronze: Black Horizon Brewing – Gin Barrel Aged Fooled Me Once

Category: Barleywine/Wheatwine
Gold: Verboten Brewing Cognac/Whiskey Grow Old with You
Silver: Goose Island Beer Company – Bourbon County Brand Wheatwine
Bronze: Revolution Brewing(Kedzie) – Straight Jacket

Category: Specialty Strong Porter/Stout
Gold: Bottle Logic Brewing – Fundamental Observation
Silver: Freemont Brewing – The Rusty Nail
Bronze: Four Fathers Brewing – Double Barrel Aged Wheelhouse

Category: Strong Porter/Stout
Gold: More Brewing – Barrel-Aged Mehndi
Silver: Saugatuck Brewing – BBA Gramanatrixxx
Bronze: Emperical Brewery – Neutronium

Best in Show: Bottle Logic Brewing – Fundamental Observation
Runner Up: The Hopewell Brewing – Crudites

FoBAB, the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer
FoBAB, the Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer, kicked off in 2004 at Chicago’s Goose Island Wrigleyville Taproom as a cozy showcase for oaky brews, dreamed up by the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild (ICBG). Inspired by trailblazers like Goose Island’s Bourbon County Stout, it quickly grew from 50 local pours to the world’s largest barrel-aged bash, adding a pro-judged National Barrel-Aged Beer Competition in 2006. By 2010, it outgrew taprooms for bigger venues like the Logan Square Auditorium, pulling global brewers and thousands of fans to geek out over whiskey-kissed stouts and funky ferments.

Today, FoBAB draws 10,000+ attendees over two nights, pouring 500+ entries from 250+ breweries across 40 states and beyond—every beer, cider, mead, or perry required to flirt with wood (barrels or chips). Medals launch legends, trends like tequila-cask IPAs are born, and funds fuel ICBG advocacy. Fun fact: Over 100,000 samples have flowed in peak years—enough to fill a kiddie pool with boozy bliss. Grab tickets fast at fobab.com and toast Chicago’s barrel-aged empire!

Beer Book of the Day: Western North Carolina Beer: A Mountain Brew History by Anne Fitten Glenn

November 8, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

If you love Western North Carolina beer (or just want to understand why Asheville is basically the Napa Valley of craft brewing), Anne Fitten Glenn’s Western North Carolina Beer: A Mountain Brew History is an absolute must-read. This isn’t some dry textbook—it’s a love letter to the mountains told through hops, barley, and the stubborn dreamers who turned moonshine country into one of America’s greatest beer regions.

Glenn, a longtime Asheville beer writer, weaves together decades of stories with the perfect mix of nerdy detail and barstool charm. You’ll meet the pioneers who opened Highland, Pisgah, and French Broad in the ’90s when “craft beer” still sounded crazy to most locals, follow the explosive growth that put Asheville on the map with 50+ breweries, and discover hidden gems like the original homebrew shops and backwoods brewpubs that laid the foundation.

The book is packed with vintage photos, old tap handles, and quotes from the brewers themselves, making it feel like you’re sitting at the bar with Oscar Wong or John Garcia swapping tales over a cold Gaelic Ale. Whether you’re hunting for the origin story of Wicked Weed’s rise (and sale), the real reason Asheville has more breweries per capita than anywhere else in the U.S., or just a killer weekend beer-cation roadmap, this book has it all. It’s informative without ever being stuffy, and by the last page you’ll be ready to load up the car and hit the Blue Ridge Beerway. Bottom line: if you drink beer in WNC, you need this book on your shelf right next to your favorite pint glass. Five stars, zero hesitation. Cheers to Anne for capturing the soul of mountain brewing!

About the Author: Anne Fitten Glenn
Anne Fitten Glenn—affectionately known as AF to her friends and “Brewgasm” to her cheeky social media alter ego—is the undisputed beer historian of Western North Carolina, turning sudsy tales into bestselling page-turners that make you crave a flight of hazy IPAs mid-read. A longtime Asheville resident since 1997, Glenn’s hoppy journey kicked off in the early ’90s when she worked for George Stranahan, the eccentric founder of Flying Dog Brewery in Colorado, where her most memorable pint involved sharing a brew with the legendary Hunter S. Thompson. After raising a couple of kids, teaching college, and dipping into nonprofit work, she dove headfirst into beer writing around 2005, freelancing for local papers like the Asheville Citizen-Times and Mountain Xpress, where her “Brews News” column became a must-read for tracking the Blue Ridge’s brewing boom.

An award-winning journalist and North American Guild of Beer Writers member, Glenn’s bylines span heavy hitters like SevenFifty Daily, Vanity Fair, All About Beer, Edible Asheville, and CraftBeer.com, blending sharp business insights with folksy folklore. She’s authored two definitive tomes on mountain malt: Asheville Beer: An Intoxicating History of Mountain Brewing (2012), which chronicles the city’s suds-soaked saloons to its Beer City USA glory, and Western North Carolina Beer: A Mountain Brew History (2017), profiling 74 breweries across 18 counties and unpacking how moonshine roots evolved into a tourism-fueled empire. Beyond books, she’s hosted the beverage biz podcast Imbibe Asheville, taught “Beer 101” classes for thirsty servers and civilians, and served as Oskar Blues Brewery’s “Beer Communicatrix” (yes, that’s a real title). A founding force behind Asheville Beer Week and a board vet for the Asheville Brewers Alliance, Glenn’s also lent her expertise to the North Carolina Brewers Cup and Pink Boots Society, championing women in brewing. When she’s not judging flights at festivals or pedaling bikes through hop fields, she’s dishing on beer history with the wit of a barstool philosopher. If Asheville’s the Napa of craft beer, Glenn’s the sommelier pouring its soul—one pint at a time. Sláinte to a true mountain brew maven!

Buy it now on Amazon, Arcadia Publishing

Brink Brewing Crushes It at 2019 Great American Beer Festival, Snags Very Small Brewing Company of the Year

October 9, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

CINCINNATI, OH— Cincinnati’s Brink Brewing is raising a glass after Cincinnati’s Brink Brewing being named 2019 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF). The Brewers Association honored the brewery at the 33rd annual event, where Brink snagged gold medals for two standout beers, proving they’re a force in craft beer.

Hold the Reins, a classic English-style Mild Ale, scored gold among 40 entries. This easy-drinking beer brings nutty flavors, a touch of caramel, and a crisp, roasty finish. It started as Head Brewer Kelly Montgomery’s homebrew and has been a taproom favorite. “I’ve been perfecting this recipe for years,” Montgomery says. “New ingredients keep it fresh, and it’s always on tap.” The beer previously won gold in 2017 and silver in 2018 at GABF.

Moozie, a lush Milk Stout, also took gold, beating out 67 competitors in the Sweet or Cream Stout category. It’s like a chocolate-coffee shake—rich, creamy, and packed with lactose and oats. Named for Molly, sister of Brink owners John and Kelly, it honors their Uncle Jack, who inspired their craft beer journey. “Moozie’s a family tribute and Molly’s go-to style,” Montgomery says. “With seven awards, it’s our most celebrated beer.” Moozie’s accolades include a 2018 World Beer Cup® bronze, a 2019 Ohio Craft Brewers Cup silver, and a 2018 GABF gold.

Brink made GABF history as the first brewery to win Very Small Brewing Company two years running. As they near their third anniversary in 2020, the team is buzzing. “We didn’t think we could top last year, so this is huge,” says co-owner John McGarry. “We’re proud to help Ohio rank among the top U.S. beer scenes for medals.”

Find Brink Brewing’s award-winning beers at their Cincinnati taproom or search local spots. Here’s to epic brews and good times!

History of Brink Brewing
Brink Brewing Co. was founded in February 2017 in Cincinnati’s College Hill neighborhood by brothers Kelly Montgomery and John McGarry, inspired by their Uncle Jack’s passion for craft beer. The brewery started as a small, community-focused taproom, emphasizing quality brews and local vibes. With a modest setup, including a reclaimed wood bar and a large community table, Brink quickly became a neighborhood staple. Their initial production was around 650 barrels in 2018, reflecting their focus on small-scale, high-quality brewing.

Rapid Rise to Recognition (2017–2018)
From the outset, Brink made waves in the craft beer scene. Just months after opening, they entered the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the nation’s largest beer competition. In 2017, their English-style Mild Ale, Hold the Reins, won gold, and their Milk Stout, Moozie, earned early accolades. Named after Molly, the owners’ sister, Moozie became a flagship beer, celebrated for its rich, chocolatey profile. In 2018, Brink continued their streak, with Moozie taking gold and Hold the Reins earning silver at GABF. These wins led to Brink being named Very Small Brewing Company of the Year, an honor for breweries producing under 1,000 barrels annually. They also secured a bronze for Moozie at the 2018 World Beer Cup and multiple medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championship, including #2 Overall Brewery.

Historic Back-to-Back GABF Wins (2019)
In 2019, Brink made history as the first brewery to win GABF’s Very Small Brewing Company of the Year two years in a row. At the 33rd annual GABF, Hold the Reins reclaimed gold in the English-style Mild Ale category (40 entries), and Moozie secured gold in the Sweet or Cream Stout category (67 entries). Moozie also earned a silver at the inaugural Ohio Craft Brewers Cup that year. By this time, Brink had amassed seven GABF medals since opening, a remarkable feat for a brewery barely two years old. Their 2019 production rose to about 850 barrels, and their awards brought free publicity, drawing beer enthusiasts to their taproom.

Sustained Excellence Amid Challenges (2020–2023)
The 2020 GABF, held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Brink maintain their dominance, with Moozie winning gold for the third consecutive year in the Sweet or Cream Stout category. They also expanded into distribution in 2021, partnering with Adena Distributing to offer 12- and 16-ounce cans. Despite industry challenges, Brink’s awards kept coming, including gold for Lil Zoomie (Coffee Stout) at the 2021 GABF and multiple medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championship and Ohio Craft Brewers Cup. In 2022 and 2023, Moozie earned bronze at GABF, and Lil Zoomie took gold in 2023, contributing to Brink’s streak of medaling at GABF every year from 2017 to 2023.

Expansion and Continued Success (2024–Present)
In 2024, Brink expanded their footprint by acquiring the adjacent space in College Hill, adding a canning line and enlarging their outdoor patio. This allowed greater production capacity while preserving their small-batch ethos. At the 2024 GABF, Moozie won bronze, and Oktoberfest earned gold at the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup, pushing their total to over 22 awards since 2017. Their taproom, known for its cozy vibe and rotating lineup of 20 beers, remains a draw for locals and visitors.

Legacy and Impact
Brink Brewing’s meteoric rise is defined by their consistent excellence, with standout beers like Moozie and Hold the Reins earning a combined 12 GABF medals. Their focus on community, quality, and innovation has elevated Cincinnati’s craft beer scene, helping Ohio rank among the top U.S. states for beer medals. As of 2025, Brink continues to brew for their neighborhood, staying true to their roots while cementing their place as one of America’s top small breweries.

Top 10 Beer Festivals in America plus a few more: Click Here!

2022 Great American Beer Festival Medal Winners and Breweries of the Year

September 30, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

The 2022 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held October 6-8 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, marked a triumphant return to in-person festivities for its 40th anniversary, following virtual events in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosted by the Brewers Association, the festival welcomed over 40,000 attendees who sampled more than 4,000 beers from 800 breweries, showcasing the diversity and innovation of American craft brewing. The event buzzed with live music, costume contests, and the unique PAIRED experience, pairing craft beers with culinary creations from top chefs. The festival’s competition, the nation’s largest professional beer judging, awarded 300 medals across 98 categories, with 9,904 entries evaluated by 235 experts from seven countries, cementing GABF’s reputation as the pinnacle of brewing excellence.

Only a couple of weeks before the 2024 Great American Beer Festival announces the 2024 medal winners and breweries of the year. Let’s look at last year’s winners and reining champs.

2022 Great American Beer Festival Medal Winners
Category 1: American Wheat Beer – 65 Entries
Gold: Sunsphere, Balter Beerworks, Knoxville, TN
Silver: Canebrake, Parish Brewing Co., Broussard, LA
Bronze: Uinta Brewing Golden Spike Hefeweizen, Uinta Brewing Co., Salt
Lake City, UT

Category 2: American Fruit Beer – 118 Entries
Gold: Street Cart, Golden Road Brewing – Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Silver: Big Sippin’, Odell Brewing Co. – Five Points Brewhouse, Denver, CO
Bronze: Lemonade, Surly Brewing Co., Minneapolis, MN

Category 3: Fruit Wheat Beer – 106 Entries
Gold: Guava Cart, Golden Road Brewing – Huntington Harbour, Huntington
Beach, CA
Silver: Inclusion Criteria, Relative Risk Brewing Co., Penn Yan, NY
Bronze: Tuava Guava, Laguna Beach Beer Co., Rancho Santa
Margarita, CA

Category 4: Field Beer – 69 Entries
Gold: King of Carrot Flowers, Ratio Beerworks, Denver, CO
Silver: Cucumber Crush, 10 Barrel Brewing Co., Bend, OR
Bronze: Heart Island, Grand Fir Brewing, Portland, OR

Category 5: Pumpkin Beer – 71 Entries
Gold: Pumpkin Ale, Blackstone Brewing Co., Nashville, TN
Silver: Gourd Darn-it, Third Eye Brewing Co., Sharonville, OH
Bronze: Pumpkinslayer, Royal Docks Brewing Co. – Brewhouse + Cannery,
Massillon, OH

Category 6: Chili Beer – 88 Entries
Gold: Chilis from the Grave, Family Business Beer Co., Dripping
Springs, TX
Silver: Green Chile Honey Kölsch, Bent Barley Brewing Co., Aurora, CO
Bronze: Hatch Nites, Lovelady Brewing Co., Henderson, NV

Category 7: Herb and Spice Beer – 90 Entries
Gold: Chai Eye Captain, Third Eye Brewing Co., Sharonville, OH
Silver: Hibiscus Lime Shandy, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. – Santa
Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Bronze: Kha Point, Pathlight Brewing, Shawnee, KS

Category 8: Chocolate Beer – 43 Entries
Gold: Double Astral, Third Eye Brewing Co., Sharonville, OH
Silver: Midnight Hike, River North Brewery, Denver, CO
Bronze: Because You’re Mine, The Bruery, Placentia, CA

Category 9: Coffee Beer – 69 Entries
Gold: Cuppa Joe Coffee Brown Ale, Kulshan Brewing Co., Bellingham, WA
Silver: Kurt’s Mile High Malt, Wynkoop Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Conditions of My Parole, The Empourium Brewing Co.,
Denver, CO

Category 10: Coffee Stout or Porter – 68 Entries
Gold: Lil Zoomie, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH
Silver: Super Tonic, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bronze: Venti is Large, Hop Dogma Brewing Co., Half Moon Bay, CA

Category 11: Dessert Stout or Pastry Stout – 49 Entries
Gold: Board Meeting, Corporate Ladder Brewing Co., Palmetto, FL
Silver: Mega Devil’s Teeth: Double Dutch S’mores Edition, Modern Times
Beer, San Diego, CA
Bronze: Chaos Grid: The Final Final Course, Modern Times Beer, San
Diego, CA

Category 12: Rye Beers – 52 Entries
Gold: No. 68 Red Lager, The Freehouse, Minneapolis, MN
Silver: Steamy Wonder, Proper Brewing Co., Salt Lake City, UT
Bronze: Rye Dawn, Breakwater Brewing Co., Oceanside, CA

Category 13: Honey Beer – 67 Entries
Gold: Smashing Honey Blonde, Hoppin’ Frog Brewing, Akron, OH
Silver: Jetty, Great South Bay Brewery, Bay Shore, NY
Bronze: Valhallale, Coney Island Brewing Co., Brooklyn, NY

Category 14: Non-Alcohol Beer – 70 Entries
Gold: Free & Easy Belgian-Style White, Karbach Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Silver: Juicy NA IPA, Two Roads Brewing Co., Stratford, CT
Bronze: Night Strike, Leader Brewing, Palm Bay, FL

Category 15: Session Beer or Belgian-Style Table Beer – 42 Entries
Gold: Oblique & Bent, The Big Friendly, Oklahoma City, OK
Silver: Guillaume, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA
Bronze: Tip the Calf, SingleSpeed Brewing Tap Room, Cedar Falls, IA

Category 16: Session India Pale Ale – 82 Entries
Gold: Only Good Vibes, Halcyon Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
Silver: The Next Chapter, Original Pattern Brewing Co., Oakland, CA
Bronze: Micro Blaster, Shred Beer Co., Rocklin, CA

Category 17: Strong Porter – 38 Entries
Gold: Barometer Drop, Ballast Point Brewing Co. – Little Italy, San
Diego, CA
Silver: Herd of Turtles, Bagby Beer Co., Oceanside, CA
Bronze: Midnight Rider Imperial Porter, Great American Restaurants –
Sweetwater Tavern Merrifield, Falls Church, VA

Category 18: Other Strong Beer – 33 Entries
Gold: Breakside LIFE, Breakside Brewery & Taproom, Milwaukie, OR
Silver: Skate Juice, Hideaway Park Brewery, Winter Park, CO
Bronze: Random Acts of Greatness, HopSaint Brewing Co., Torrance, CA

Category 19: Experimental India Pale Ale – 106 Entries
Gold: Tropical Terps IPA, Belching Beaver Brewery – Oceanside
Brewhouse, Oceanside, CA
Silver: Forager IPA, Pumphouse Brewery & Restaurant, Longmont, CO
Bronze: Pina Colada Milkshake IPA, 14er Brewing Co., Denver, CO

Category 20: Experimental Beer – 83 Entries
Gold: Hill & Hollow: Cayuga, Cinderlands Foederhouse, Pittsburgh, PA
Silver: Apple Pomace Puncheon, Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA
Bronze: Small Batch – Intinction Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Brewing
Co. – Windsor, Windsor, CA

Category 21: Experimental Wood-Aged Beer – 32 Entries
Gold: Soul Shakedown Party, Sun King Brewery, Indianapolis, IN
Silver: Boathouse Reserve Imperial Stout, Crystal Lake Brewing, Crystal
Lake, IL
Bronze: Sugar Moon, Hobbs Tavern & Brewing Co., Ossipee, NH

Category 22: Historical Beer – 41 Entries
Gold: IZOLA Kvass, East Village Brewing Co., San Diego, CA
Silver: Derby Day, Roadmap Brewing Co., San Antonio, TX
Bronze: Grodziskie, Sketchbook Brewing Co., Skokie, IL

Category 23: Gluten-Free Beer – 47 Entries
Gold: It Came From The Haze, Ghostfish Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
Silver: Lander Lager, Ghostfish Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
Bronze: Scarlet Sunset, Buck Wild Brewing, Oakland, CA

Category 24: American-Belgo-Style Ale – 34 Entries
Gold: DOL, Longtab Brewing Co., San Antonio, TX
Silver: Whitewall Wheat, Crank Arm Brewing Co., Raleigh, NC
Bronze: Paper Game, Ozark Beer Co., Rogers, AR

Category 25: American Sour Ale – 32 Entries
Gold: Brilliant, 10 Barrel Brewing Co., Bend, OR
Silver: The Sauer House Project: Ellie’s Version, Dostal Alley Brewpub &
Casino, Central City, CO
Bronze: Fate Single Hop Sour, Fate Brewing Co., Scottsdale, AZ

Category 26: Fruited American Sour Ale – 160 Entries
Gold: Huckleberry pHin Sour, Lost Winds Brewing Co., San Clemente, CA
Silver: Poggers, Immersion Brewing, Bend, OR
Bronze: Fistful of Gummies, Second Chance Beer Co., San Diego, CA

Category 27: Brett Beer – 46 Entries
Gold: Tapestry From An Asteroid, The Big Friendly, Oklahoma City, OK
Silver: Druif Blanc, pFriem Cascade Locks Barrelhouse, Cascade
Locks, OR
Bronze: Neon Butterfly, Deschutes Brewery & Public House – PDX,
Portland, OR

Category 28: Mixed-Culture Brett Beer – 59 Entries
Gold: Loup et Renard Saison, Odd Breed Wild Ales, Pompano Beach, FL
Silver: Never Been Wrong, Thompson Island Brewing Co., Rehoboth
Beach, DE
Bronze: Silent Sounds, Monday Night Brewing – Garage, Atlanta, GA

Category 29: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer – 30 Entries
Gold: Ye Olde Ale, Banded Oak Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Silver: Barrel Aged Maibock, Blue Moon Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt, Monday Night Brewing – Garage,
Atlanta, GA

Category 30: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer – 122 Entries
Gold: Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Atom Smasher, Rock Bottom Brewery –
Bethesda, Bethesda, MD
Silver: 1314, Black Tooth Brewing Co., Sheridan, WY
Bronze: Amaro Barrel Aged Barleywine, pFriem Cascade Locks
Barrelhouse, Cascade Locks, OR

Category 31: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout – 121 Entries
Gold: Breakside The Trappings and the Suits of Woe, Breakside Brewery –
NW Slabtown, Portland, OR
Silver: Black Market Liver, Windmills Brewery & Restaurant, The Colony, TX
Bronze: Barrel Aged Count Chungus, Werk Force Brewing Co.,
Plainfield, IL

Category 32: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer – 28 Entries
Gold: Wet Hop Strata (2023), Barrique Brewing & Blending, Nashville, TN
Silver: Sea of Waves, True Anomaly Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Bronze: Speedy G, MAP Brewing Co., Bozeman, MT

Category 33: Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer – 53 Entries
Gold: I Don’t Want to Wait, 1840 Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI
Silver: Passionfruit on Acid, Blue Mountain Barrel House, Arrington, VA
Bronze: Spring Reverb, HiDef Brewing Co., Los Angeles, CA

Category 34: Kellerbier or Zwickelbier – 70 Entries
Gold: Copper Midge, Spearfish Brewing Co., Spearfish, SD
Silver: Chasing Trains, Formula Brewing, Issaquah, WA
Bronze: Light Hike, Topa Topa Brewing Co. – HQ, Ventura, CA

Category 35: Smoke Beer – 73 Entries
Gold: Ilaria, Whistle Hop Brewing Co., Fairview, NC
Silver: Helles Rauchbier, Double Clutch Brewing Co., Evanston, IL
Bronze: Schmoke Em’ Up, NewSylum Brewing Co., Newtown, CT

Category 36: Light Lager – 284 Entries
Gold: Nashville Light, Nashville Brewing Co., Nashville, TN
Silver: Mexican Lager, Lone Tree Brewing Co., Lone Tree, CO
Bronze: Legendary Lager, MadTree Brewing, Cincinnati, OH

Category 37: American-Style Lager – 123 Entries
Gold: Sonrisa, Common Space Brewery, Hawthorne, CA
Silver: Bendelo Especial, Bend Brewing Co., Bend, OR
Bronze: Saca La Bolsita, Villains Brewing Co., Anaheim, CA

Category 38: Contemporary American-Style Lager – 104 Entries
Gold: Scout, True Anomaly Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Silver: Shouganai, Blue Point Brewing Co., Patchogue, NY
Bronze: Blackberry Smoke American Lager, New Realm Brewing Co. –
Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Category 39: American Pilsener – 141 Entries
Gold: Wibby Jibby, Wibby Brewing, Longmont, CO
Silver: Cerveza Mecanica, Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co., Lafayette, CO
Bronze: Week 365, Industrial Arts Brewing Co., Beacon, NY

Category 40: International-Style Pilsener – 141 Entries
Gold: Little Wing, Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co., Chicago, IL
Silver: Ofrenda, Device Brewing Co., Sacramento, CA
Bronze: Tora!, Fall Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

Category 41: American Cream Ale – 124 Entries
Gold: 307, Black Tooth Brewing Co., Sheridan, WY
Silver: Cinco Cinco Cinco!, Shred Beer Co., Rocklin, CA
Bronze: The Coloradan, Westbound & Down Brewing Co. – Westbound
Mill, Lafayette, CO

Category 42: Other Hoppy Lager – 68 Entries
Gold: Jet Lag Lager, Vacancy Brewing, Austin, TX
Silver: Juicy Pilsner, Cinder Block Brewery, North Kansas City, MO
Bronze: Day Beer, Trap Door Brewing – Whistle Stop Pub, Washougal, WA

Category 43: India Pale Lager or Cold India Pale Ale – 134 Entries
Gold: Sound Sail, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ventura, CA
Silver: Orizaba Cold IPA, Cheluna Brewing Co., Aurora, CO
Bronze: Zero Degrees, Shred Beer Co., Rocklin, CA

Category 44: American Amber Lager – 126 Entries
Gold: Hometown Lager, Second Pitch Beer Co., San Antonio, TX
Silver: Vecino, Balter Beerworks, Knoxville, TN
Bronze: Bell’s Brewery Octoberfest, Bell’s Brewery, Comstock, MI

Category 45: German-Style Pilsener – 228 Entries
Gold: Prodigal Pils, Lazarus Brewing Co. – Laz 2, Austin, TX
Silver: Prost Pilsner, Prost Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Don’t Fear The Answer, Tenma Beer Project, Oakland, CA

Category 46: Bohemian-Style Pilsener – 158 Entries
Gold: Crazy Horse, Lazarus Brewing Co., Austin, TX
Silver: Daytonian Rhapsody, Eudora Brewing Co., Dayton, OH
Bronze: Tahoe Pilz, FiftyFifty Brewing Co. – Production Facility,
Truckee, CA

Category 47: Munich-Style Helles – 172 Entries
Gold: Prinz Crispy, Deschutes Brewery & Public House – Bend, Bend, OR
Silver: Templin Family Helles, Templin Family Brewing, Salt Lake City, UT
Bronze: Ein Helles, Counter Weight Brewing Co., Cheshire, CT

Category 48: Dortmunder or German-Style Oktoberfest – 134 Entries
Gold: Dortmunder Export, Cooperage Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA
Silver: Thunder from Dortmunder, Marble Brewery – MavLab,
Albuquerque, NM
Bronze: Dorty Work, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle, WA

Category 49: Vienna-Style Lager – 116 Entries
Gold: Oktoberfest, Port City Brewing Co., Alexandria, VA
Silver: Oktoberfest, Silver Branch Brewing Co., Silver Spring, MD
Bronze: Cape May Oktoberfest, Cape May Brewing Co., Cape May, NJ

Category 50: German-Style Maerzen – 162 Entries
Gold: Seedstock Maerzen, Seedstock Brewery, Denver, CO
Silver: Festbier, Big Grove Brewery & Taproom, Iowa City, IA
Bronze: Oktoberfest, Golden Road Brewing – Los Angeles,
Los Angeles, CA

Category 51: German Dark Lager – 122 Entries
Gold: Goodnight Munich, Liquid Gravity Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo, CA
Silver: Wunder Bier, Red Leg Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze: Black Hill, Silver Reef Brewing Co., Saint Georg

Category 52: International Dark Lager – 79 Entries
Gold: Midnight Trucker, Rock Solid Brewing Co., Ball Ground, GA
Silver: Tmavé, Copper Furrow Brewing, Helena, MT
Bronze: Flek Me?? No Flek Ů!!, Brieux Carré Brewing Co., New
Orleans, LA

Category 53: Bock – 70 Entries
Gold: Hootenanny, Bankhead Brewing Co., Rowlett, TX
Silver: Breakline Bock, Rip Current Brewing, San Marcos, CA
Bronze: Ain’t Afraid of No Goats, Metazoa Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN

Category 54: German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock – 44 Entries
Gold: Execrator, Resolute Brewing Co., Centennial, CO
Silver: Co-Munichator, Deschutes Brewery & Public House – PDX,
Portland, OR
Bronze: Activator, Wallenpaupack Brewing Co., Hawley, PA

Category 55: Golden or Blonde Ale – 138 Entries
Gold: Fancy Lawnmower Beer, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Silver: Sunlight Cream Ale, Sun King Brewery, Indianapolis, IN
Bronze: Basecamp Blonde, Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. – Production
Facility, Chattanooga, TN

Category 56: German-Style Koelsch – 195 Entries
Gold: Kodiak Kolsch, Bear Chase Brewing Co., Bluemont, VA
Silver: Rise & Climb, New Terrain Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Bronze: Cruzer, Real Ale Brewing Co., Blanco, TX

Category 57: English Ale – 69 Entries
Gold: Elissa IPA, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Silver: House Ale, 1849 Brewing Co., Grass Valley, CA
Bronze: Prickly Pear Pale Ale, Lewis & Clark Brewing Co., Helena, MT

Category 58: International-Style Pale Ale – 123 Entries
Gold: Hand of Josh, Highland Park Brewery – Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA
Silver: Carlsbad Crush, Burgeon Beer Co., Carlsbad, CA
Bronze: Extra Pale Ale, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. – The Propagator,
Marina del Rey, CA

Category 59: New Zealand India Pale Ale – 104 Entries
Gold: Kiwi (The Bird), Rhinegeist Innovation Brewery, Cincinnati, OH
Silver: Spirit of the West, Westbound & Down Brewing Co. – Westbound
Mill, Lafayette, CO
Bronze: Docta-Ron, Russian River Brewing Co. – Santa Rosa, Santa
Rosa, CA

Category 60: American-Style Pale Ale – 149 Entries
Gold: Featherweight, Cannonball Creek Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Silver: Snow Crest, Outlaw Brewing Co., Bozeman, MT
Bronze: Double Nickels, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Category 61: Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale – 118 Entries
Gold: Cloudy Joose, New Belgium Brewing Co. – Mission Bay, San
Francisco, CA
Silver: Sneakbox, Kane Brewing Co., Ocean, NJ
Bronze: Lil’ Space Booties, MORE Brewing Co., Huntley, IL

Category 62: American-Style Strong Pale Ale – 123 Entries
Gold: Mai Tai, Alvarado Street Brewery & Bistro, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
Silver: Chaos Erupts, Unsung Brewing Co., Tustin, CA
Bronze: Liquid Gravity IPA, Liquid Gravity Brewing Co., San Luis
Obispo, CA

Category 63: Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale – 140 Entries
Gold: PB Haze, TapRoom Beer Co., San Diego, CA
Silver: Modern Melody, Corn Coast Brewing Co., Lincoln, NE
Bronze: Tropical Mirage, Flix Brewhouse – ABQ, Albuquerque, NM

Category 64: American-Style India Pale Ale – 206 Entries
Gold: Head Hunter, Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon, North Olmsted, OH
Silver: Breakside IPA, Breakside Brewery & Taproom, Milwaukie, OR
Bronze: Downtown Tom, Three Mile Brewing Co., Davis, CA

Category 65: Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale – 365 Entries
Gold: Golden Goal, 1852 Brew Co., Visalia, CA
Silver: Juicy Mid-Tones, Corn Coast Brewing Co., Lincoln, NE
Bronze: Make it Rain, Side Hustle Brewing Co., Hilton Head Island, SC

Category 66: West Coast-Style India Pale Ale – 301 Entries
Gold: Westbound Select, Westbound & Down Brewing Co., Idaho
Springs, CO
Silver: Untold Prophecy, Slice Beer Co., Lincoln, CA
Bronze: Bright Side IPA, Uprise Brewing Co., Spokane, WA

Category 67: Imperial India Pale Ale – 130 Entries
Gold: Triple IPA, Claremont Craft Ales, Claremont, CA
Silver: Drama King, Liquid Gravity Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo, CA
Bronze: Double MO7, Del Cielo Brewing Co., Martinez, CA

Category 68: Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale – 135 Entries
Gold: DDH Pillow, Highland Park Brewery, Los Angeles, CA
Silver: X-Raying Flowers, North Park Beer Co., San Diego, CA
Bronze: Blue Quad Roller Skates, Wren House Brewing Co., Phoenix, AZ

Category 69: American Amber/Red Ale – 130 Entries
Gold: Blown Tire, Knuckle Puck Brewing, Longmont, CO
Silver: Night Sky Red Ale, Sound2Summit Brewery, Snohomish, WA
Bronze: Azalea City Amber, Georgia Beer Co., Valdosta, GA

Category 70: Strong Red Ale – 50 Entries
Gold: Wreak Havoc, Bootstrap Brewing, Longmont, CO
Silver: Say Hi To Your Dad For Me, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Contemplation Time, Half Batch Brewing, Hendersonville, TN

Category 71: English Mild or Bitter – 66 Entries
Gold: Sawtooth Ale, Left Hand Brewing Co., Longmont, CO
Silver: Toasty, The Brew Brothers – Eldorado Scioto Downs Racino,
Columbus, OH
Bronze: Good Talk, Gusto Brewing Co., North Cape May, NJ

Category 72: Extra Special Bitter – 49 Entries
Gold: Velvet ESB, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Portland, OR
Silver: Railhead Red, Lumberyard Brewing Co. – Taproom & Grille,
Flagstaff, AZ
Bronze: Hooks & Dun, Wren House Brewing Co., Phoenix, AZ

Category 73: Scottish-Style Ale – 51 Entries
Gold: William Walrus, Metazoa Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN
Silver: Laughing Lab Scottish Ale, Bristol Brewing Co., Colorado
Springs, CO
Bronze: Glenlongbeach, Beachwood Brewing – Huntington Beach,
Huntington Beach, CA

Category 74: Irish-Style Red Ale – 87 Entries
Gold: Rock Hill Irish Red, Barley Naked Brewing Co., Stafford, VA
Silver: Megaphone, Inside the Five Brewing Co., Sylvania, OH
Bronze: Engine 402, Orange Hat Brewing Co., Knoxville, TN

Category 75: English-Style Brown Ale – 48 Entries
Gold: Classic Version, Agile Brewing, Baton Rouge, LA
Silver: Stone Fort, Seventh Son Brewing Co., Columbus, OH
Bronze: Nut Brown, AleSmith Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

Category 76: American-Style Brown Ale – 80 Entries
Gold: Restraint, Institution Ale Co., Camarillo, CA
Silver: Upside Brown Ale, Falling Sky Brewing, Eugene, OR
Bronze: Trabuco, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA

Category 77: American Black Ale or American Stout – 59 Entries
Gold: Breakside Cheat Codes, Breakside Brewery, Portland, OR
Silver: Hoppa Emeritus, Beachwood Brewing – Long Beach,
Long Beach, CA
Bronze: Midnight Oil, Tustin Brewing Co., Tustin, CA

Category 78: German Sour Ale – 43 Entries
Gold: Riviera, 10 Barrel Brewing Co. – Bend Pub, Bend, OR
Silver: Restless Seas Gose, Narrow Path Brewing Co., Loveland, OH
Bronze: Athena, Creature Comforts – Production Facility At Southern Mill,
Athens, GA

Category 79: Specialty Berliner-Style Weisse – 42 Entries
Gold: Saft, Narrow Gauge Brewing Co., Florissant, MO
Silver: Jersey Vice, Bolero Snort Brewery, Carlstadt, NJ
Bronze: La Cabrona, Hound Song Brewing Co., Columbus, TX

Category 80: Contemporary Gose – 71 Entries
Gold: Citrus Snack, Flying Basset Brewing, Gilbert, AZ
Silver: In Bloom, Basin+Range, Tucson, AZ
Bronze: MexicAle, Shortleaf Brewing, O’Fallon, MO

Category 81: German-Style Altbier – 48 Entries
Gold: Alt 140, Sew Hop’d Brewery, Huntley, IL
Silver: Altbier, Four Generals Brewing, Renton, WA
Bronze: BierKraft Altbier, BierKraft, McAlester, OK

Category 82: German Wheat Ale – 24 Entries
Gold: Alpenglow, Fat Head’s Brewery, Middleburg Heights, OH
Silver: Weizenheimer, Grains of Wrath PDX, Portland, OR
Bronze: Der Hexenmeister, Magnanimous Brewing – Bradenton,
Bradenton, FL

Category 83: South German-Style Hefeweizen – 158 Entries
Gold: Goggle Fogger, Fat Head’s Brewery, Middleburg Heights, OH
Silver: Kulshan Hefeweizen, Kulshan Brewing Co. – K2, Bellingham, WA
Bronze: Hoofer’s Hef, Bankhead Brewing Co., Rowlett, TX

Category 84: Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale – 63 Entries
Gold: Vincianne, True North Ale Co., Ipswich, MA
Silver: DOMESTIQUE Blonde Ale, Rouleur Brewing Co., Carlsbad, CA
Bronze: LMM Belgian Amber, Lone Man Mountain Brewing Co.,
Driftwood, TX

Category 85: Belgian-Style Witbier – 68 Entries
Gold: White Rascal, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Silver: Allagash White, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, ME
Bronze: White Goblin, Mathews Brewing Co., Lake Worth, FL

Category 86: Classic Saison – 62 Entries
Gold: Kal-El, Protagonist Beer, Charlotte, NC
Silver: Disco Elephant, New York Beer Project, Lockport, NY
Bronze: Saison Parfait, Little Beast Brewing, Clackamas, OR

Category 87: Specialty Saison – 63 Entries
Gold: Shadow Saison Ale with Hibiscus, Musings Fermentation
Underground, Newark, DE
Silver: Freedom Fries w/ Cherry, Call To Arms Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: 1710 Saison, Figurehead Brewing Co., Seattle, WA

Category 88: Belgian-Style Sour Ale – 51 Entries
Gold: All the Love You Won’t Forget, Autumn Arch Beer Project,
Newark, DE
Silver: Earth & Aether, Noble Creature Wild Ales & Lagers, Youngstown, OH
Bronze: Trois Années Cuvée, Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA

Category 89: Belgian-Style Strong Specialty Ale – 83 Entries
Gold: Quadrupel Donker, Evans Brewing Co., Corona, CA
Silver: Thor’s Hammer, Redwood Brewing Co., Flint, MI
Bronze: Delta Quadrant, The Tap Brewery, Bloomington, IN

Category 90: Belgian-Style Abbey Ale – 87 Entries
Gold: Tripel, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, ME
Silver: Over There, Attic Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA
Bronze: Hubble Dubbel, Apogee Brewing Co., Grover Beach, CA

Category 91: Belgian Fruit Beer – 52 Entries
Gold: Frambozen, pFriem Cascade Locks Barrelhouse, Cascade Locks, OR
Silver: Island Rascal, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Bronze: Raspberry Parliament, Alesong Brewing & Blending, Eugene, OR

Category 92: Brown Porter – 52 Entries
Gold: Dark Matter Porter, Logboat Brewing Co., Columbia, MO
Silver: Night Swim, Coppertail Brewing Co., Tampa, FL
Bronze: Old Normal, Bend Brewing Co., Bend, OR

Category 93: Robust Porter – 62 Entries
Gold: Foggy London Town, Rock Bottom Brewery – Denver, Denver, CO
Silver: Robust Porter, Reuben’s Brews – Production Brewery, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Tabula Rasa, Second Chance Beer Co., San Diego, CA

Category 94: Stout – 67 Entries
Gold: Slainte, Legion Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC
Silver: Shinobi, Byway Brewing Co., Hammond, IN
Bronze: Silent Neighbor, Atlas Brew Works, Washington, DC

Category 95: Sweet Stout or Cream Stout – 46 Entries
Gold: Scout, Vibrissa Beer, Front Royal, VA
Silver: Milk Stout, Waredaca Brewing Co., Gaithersburg, MD
Bronze: Moozie, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH

Category 96: Oatmeal Stout – 48 Entries
Gold: Mountain Moonlight, Wild Fields Brewhouse, Atascadero, CA
Silver: Wall of Sound, Stereo Brewing Co., Placentia, CA
Bronze: Buttons the Bear, Bear Chase Brewing Co., Bluemont, VA

Category 97: Imperial Stout – 67 Entries
Gold: Gatling Gun, BNS Brewing & Distilling Co., Santee, CA
Silver: Big Deluxe, Ritual Brewing Co., Redlands, CA
Bronze: Postcard from St. Petersburg, Bartlett Hall, San Francisco, CA

Category 98: Scotch Ale – 39 Entries
Gold: Real Heavy, Real Ale Brewing Co., Blanco, TX
Silver: Scottish Wildcat, Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co., Castle Rock, CO
Bronze: Old Chub Scotch Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery & Tasty Weasel
Taproom, Longmont, CO

Category 99: Old Ale or Strong Ale or Barley Wine – 53 Entries
Gold: Ice Raptor, Ninkasi Brewing Co., Eugene, OR
Silver: Populator, Diebolt Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Chris Barley in a Little Coat, Wichita Brewing Co. – Production,
Wichita, KS

Category : Pro-Am Competition – 50 Entries
Gold: She Fancies Herself A Little Bit French, CooperSmith’s Pub &
Brewing – Mark Pennick, Fort Collins, CO
Silver: Rob’s Baltic Porter, New Belgium Brewing Co. – Rob Hardisty, Fort
Collins, CO
Bronze: What Is That?, Decipher Brewing Co. – Joel Miller,
Charlottesville, VA

Category : Collab Competition – 96 Entries
Gold: Luna Nueva Mexican Export Lager, Cheluna Brewing Co. / Prost
Brewing Co., Aurora, CO
Silver: Mounds of Importance, Third Eye Brewing Co. / Narrow Path
Brewing Co., Sharonville, OH
Bronze: Two’s Daze, Attic Brewing Co. / Two Locals Brewing Co.,
Philadelphia, PA

2023 Brewery of the year awards:
0-250 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Shred Beer Co., Rocklin, CA
Zack Frasher & Amy Heller

251–500 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Beer Law Center
The Big Friendly, Oklahoma City OK
Will Quinlin & Joe Quinlin

501–1,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Prairie Malt
Balter Beerworks, Knoxville, TN
Balter Brewing Team

1,001–2,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by ABS Commercial
Third Eye Brewing Co., Sharonville, OH
Third Eye Brew Crew

2,001–5,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Liquid Gravity Brewing Co., San Luis Obispo, CA
Brendan Gough & Beau Sorenson

5,001–15,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Country Malt Group
Wibby Brewing, Longmont, CO
Team Wibby Brewing

15,001–100,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Saint Arnold Brew Crew

Brewery Group Brewery and Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Encompass Technologies
Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, ME
Team Allagash

About the Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), hosted annually by the Brewers Association in Denver, Colorado, stands as the premier celebration of American craft brewing, drawing tens of thousands of beer enthusiasts from around the globe. This iconic event showcases thousands of beers from hundreds of breweries. GABF’s renowned competition, the largest of its kind, awards medals across diverse categories, judged by international experts, highlighting the creativity and quality of U.S. craft beer. With live music, culinary pairings, and a vibrant taproom atmosphere, GABF unites communities through a shared passion for exceptional brews and unforgettable experiences.

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