Beer

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!

Sierra Nevada Brewing to brew Resilience IPA for Camp Fire Relief

November 17, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

Chico, California — Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. today unveiled plans to brew Resilience Butte County Proud IPA, with 100% of sales dedicated to Camp Fire relief efforts. The brewery is calling on every craft brewer nationwide to join the initiative by producing their own version of the beer and donating all proceeds to the cause.

Sierra Nevada will kick off production on Giving Tuesday, November 27, and has invited fellow breweries to brew Resilience IPA on the same day. To support participation, the company is coordinating with hop and malt suppliers to provide donated ingredients to breweries across the country.

“While Chico and our brewery were spared, the Camp Fire has ravaged neighboring communities where many of our employees, families, and friends call home,” said Sierra Nevada founder and owner Ken Grossman. “This region has stood by us for 38 years, and now we’re committed to giving back in every way possible.”

Ignited on November 8 in the hills above Sierra Nevada’s Chico facility, the Camp Fire has become California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record. As of this announcement, it has scorched 142,000 acres, claimed over 60 lives, left hundreds unaccounted for, destroyed more than 9,700 homes, and displaced nearly 14% of the brewery’s local workforce.

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. Additional contributions can be made here.

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.

Ohio Craft Brewers Cup 2023 Medal Winners

October 27, 2024 by Spencer Mapes

DAYTON, Ohio – The Ohio Craft Brewers Cup has just announced the 2023 medal winners! A record 67 breweries entered over 400+ beers into this years competition. Congratulations to BLUE HERON BREWING for winning the Best of Show with their Matrimony Cream Ale, what a fantastic beer! Congrats to all of the winners listed below.

AMBER/RED ALE
Gold
THREE TIGERS – FIREHOUSE

Silver
BRANCH AND BONE – CRUMBLE

Bronze
HOFRAUHAUS CLEVELAND – CLE RED

AMERICAN IPA
Gold
AKRONYM – HOSE HANDLER

Silver
FORBIDDEN ROOT – THROUGH THE TREES

Bronze
THREE TIGERS – DANKO

AMERICAN
LIGHT ALE
Gold
BLUE HERON – MATRIMONY ALE

Silver
COMBUSTION – WANDERLUST

Bronze
SOUTHERN OHIO BREWING – 818

AMERICAN LAGER
Gold
IMMIGRANT SON – AMERICAN PILSNER

Silver
COMBUSTION – SIR VEZA

Bronze
MADTREE – LEGENDARY LAGER

AMERICAN
PALE ALE
Gold
PARSONS NORTH – JUICY PALE ALE

Silver
SCHNITZ – STAGHORN LEGHORN

Bronze
THUNDERWING – LIFESIGHT

BELGIAN/
FRENCH ALE
Gold
MAIZE VALLEY – MONK IN PUBLIC

Silver
TWIN OAST – SUGAR ROCK

Bronze
AEONIAN BREWING – OPAL

BELGIAN/
FRENCH SAISON
Gold
PHOENIX BREWING – BIG SPRING SAISON

Silver
FORBIDDEN ROOT – WELL POSITIONED

Bronze
LOCK 15 – HALE FARMHOUSE SAISON

BROWN/DARK ALE
Gold
STREETSIDE – BLACK CATS

Silver
THIRD EYE – INNER SIGHT

Bronze
NOBLE BEAST – MURDER BALLADS BALTIC PORTER

COFFEE BEER
Gold
COMBUSTION – ANTIDOTE

Silver
SOUTHERN OHIO BREWING – GOOD MORNING 818

Bronze
MASTHEAD – SINGLE ORIGIN STOUT

EUROPEAN LAGER
Gold
BRANCH AND BONE – MORIBUND

Silver
COMBUSTION – DUNKEL

Bronze
NOBLE BEAST – PAPPY PILSNER

EUROPEAN PALE
Gold
PHOENIX BREWING – TREFFENWOLF GERMAN IPA

Silver
WRECKING CREW BREWING – CRICKET STOMPER

Bronze
SOUTHERN OHIO BREWING – BLOWN FUSE

FRUIT BEER
Gold
BIKER BREWHOUSE – AMERICAN PIE

Silver
DAYTON BEER CO – LOBO LOCO

Bronze
ROYAL DOCKS – CRAY ENOUGH DIPA

GERMAN STYLE ALE
Gold
BLUE HERON – YES HEFE

Silver
THIRD EYE – UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

Bronze
NARROW PATH – RESTLESS SEAS

HERB/SPICE/PEPPER
Gold
WANDERING GRIFFIN – OLE MEXICAN STOUT

Silver
COMBUSTION – SIAMESE DREAM

Bronze
NEW ALES – OMG BECKY LOOK AT THAT PUMPKIN

IMPERIAL IPA
Gold
MADTREE – PHANTOM FOREST

Silver
MASTHEAD – WET CASE SCENARIO

Bronze
MASTHEAD – HOP JOURNAL

IMPERIAL STOUT/PORTER
Gold
LOCK 15 – SWINEHEART STOUT

Silver
COMBUSTION – IMPERIAL STOUT

Bronze
BOSS DOG BREWING – RUBBER CITY STOUT

NEIPA/HAZY IPA
Gold
DERIVE – FRIENDS DOWN SOUTH

Silver
MARKET GARDEN – COSMIC HAZE

Bronze
MASTHEAD – HAZY HEADLINES

NEPA/HAZY PALE
Gold
FORBIDDEN ROOT – WATCHER OF THE SKYS

Silver
AKRONYM – HENRY

Bronze
STREETSIDE – SUH BRUH

SCOTCH/SMOKED BEER
Gold
NOBLE BEAST – EMBERS ONLY SMOKED HELLES

Silver
MARKET GARDEN – WALLACE TAVERN SCOTCH ALE

Bronze
COMBUSTION – BRASKY

SOUR/WILD WITH FRUIT
Gold
PRETENTIOUS – QUIXOTIC

Silver
BLUE HERON – TROPICOOL

Bronze
NARROW PATH – POG KETTLE SOUR

SOUR/WILD BEER
Gold
NARROW PATH – OUD BRUIN

Silver
NOBLE BEAST – EAU ROUGE

Bronze
N/A

SPECIALTY/HYBRID BEER
Gold
SOUTHERN OHIO BREWING – KING SORRY

Silver
NORTH WATERS – THANKSGIVING SECRET SAUCE

Bronze
BRANCH AND BONE – DIMMER

SPECIALTY/ADJUNCT STOUT
Gold
PARSONS NORTH – CHAI SPICED IMPERIAL STOUT

Silver
RESTORATION BREWING – BUZZ-BRULEE

Bronze
COMBUSTION – SECRET DESTROYER

STOUT
Gold
THIRD EYE – HIGHER PURPOSE

Silver
LOCK 15 – FOREST LODGE MAPLE STOUT

Bronze
BRINK – MOOZIE

WHEAT BEER
Gold
CROOKED CAN – CLOUD CHASER

Silver
MARKET GARDEN – PROSPERITY WHEAT

Bronze
MARKET GARDEN – PROSPERITY WHEAT

WOOD BARREL UNDER 8% ABV
Gold
HOFBRAUHAUS CLEVELAND – BBA DOPPELBOCK

Silver
MISSING FALLS – LILYWHITE

Bronze
STREETSIDE – TIKI TIME

WOOD BARREL OVER 8% ABV
Gold
WARPED WING – RIFFIN ON HIGH

Silver
SOMEWHERE IN PARTICULAR – CASKED AVENGER

Bronze
THIRD EYE – KELLYS PRIVATE STASH

BEST OF SHOW
BLUE HERON BREWING – MATRIMONY ALE

REGIONAL AWARDS
Central
COMBUSTION BREWING

Northwest
TWIN OAST BREWING

Northeast
LOCK 15 BREWING

Greater Cleveland
BLUE HERON BREWING

West Central
SOUTHERN OHIO BREWING

Southeast
N/A

Southwest
THIRD EYE BREWING

BREWERY SIZE AWARDS
Best Large Brewery (Greater than 15,000 bbls)
MADTREE BREWING

Best Medium Brewery (Less than 15,000 but greater than 5,000 bbls)
MARKET GARDEN BREWING

Best Small Brewery (Less than 5,000 but greater than 1,000 bbls)
COMBUSTION BREWING

Best Nano Brewery (Less than 1,000 bbls)
BLUE HERON BREWING

The panel of judges consists of professional brewers from across Ohio. No brewer is permitted to judge a category they have also entered. The best THREE beers in each category are awarded medals by the panel of judges. Best of Class Awards and Regional Awards are determined by most medal points earned. Any Best of Class of Regional Award Tie-Breakers will be determined by most Golds awarded.

About the Ohio Craft Brewers Cup.

The Ohio Craft Brewers Cup is an esteemed annual competition celebrating the pinnacle of craft brewing within the Buckeye State, organized by the Dayton Beer Company and supported by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. Now in its eighth year as of 2025, the event invites breweries of all sizes to submit entries across 27 diverse categories, from traditional ales to innovative hybrids, with over 400 beers judged by panels of professional Ohio brewers to ensure impartiality and expertise. Held in October, the judging process culminates in medal awards for the top three beers per category, alongside prestigious honors like Best of Show—claimed in 2024 by Maize Valley Brewing’s Monk in Public Belgian dark strong ale—and regional accolades that highlight excellence in Northeast, Central, Southwest, and Northwest Ohio. Beyond showcasing masterful technique and bold flavors, the Cup fosters community pride, elevates local talent, and underscores Ohio’s thriving craft beer scene, drawing entries from more than 60 breweries annually.

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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!

New Realm Brewing Company Becomes the Official Craft Beer Partner of Kennesaw State University

October 2, 2024 by Spencer Mapes

ATLANTA, GA – Just in time for the start of the fall college sports season, award-winning craft brewer New Realm Brewing Company has been named the Official Craft Beer partner of Kennesaw State University (KSU), which includes the full portfolio of the craft brewer’s products.

Both the brewer and university are based in Georgia. KSU features campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta, and New Realm welcomes guests to its flagship founding craft brewery, distillery and locally sourced scratch restaurant in Atlanta. The first collaboration as part of the local partnership is the release of OWL IN American Lager, an homage to the Kennesaw State Owls, with packaging highlighting the university’s signature black and gold color palette and the signature Owls emblem front and center.

“Crafted for refreshment, OWL IN is made with a smooth hop bill featuring Magnum, Hersbrucker and lemondrop hops. The result is a 4% ABV lager with a straw-gold color, 115 calories and 9 carbs. Available in select markets year-round, the beer will be available in 12-ounce 6-packs, 16-ounce singles and draft packages,” explained Mitch Steele, NRBC Brewmaster. A product locator can be found here.

“We’re proud of our new partnership as the Official Craft Beer of KSU,” said Jeff Chassner, Chief Sales Officer at New Realm Brewing Company. “I’m excited about every product in our portfolio, but as an alumnus of KSU, launching OWL IN has been a passion project for me. We’re thrilled to introduce this new beer during such a fun time of year for college sports fans.”

Kennesaw State University officially became a member of Conference USA in June. The evolution of the university’s sports competition at the Division I level mirrors its growth as the third-largest university in Georgia.

“Our goal has always been to create moments of happiness for our patrons and support the communities in which we live, brew, and play. We are excited to welcome the KSU community into the New Realm family,” stated Carey Falcone, CEO of New Realm Brewing Company.

ABOUT NEW REALM BREWING CO.

New Realm is an American craft brewery and distillery started in 2016 by co-founders Carey Falcone, Bob Powers, and Mitch Steele. The Company operates production and innovation breweries/distilleries, each with on-site, locally sourced scratch kitchens. New Realm’s core values are quality, creativity, authenticity, and striving for perfection, all with a customer-centric, community-focused commitment and approach.

New Realm’s awards include Multiple Great American Beer Fest gold medals (2022), Brewbound’s “Rising Star” Brewery, Ratebeer’s “Best New Brewer in Georgia,” Ratebeer’s 11th “Best New Brewer in the World”, and Virginia Craft Beer Cup’s gold medal (2019 & 2021) and “Best in Show” for Euphonia Pilsner (2019). Brewmaster Mitch Steele was awarded the Russell Scherer Award for Innovation in Brewing and authored the book IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes, and the Evolution of India Pale Ale. Learn more at NewRealmBrewing.com.

ABOUT KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.

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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.

For Brewing fun fact, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.

2023 Great American Beer Festival Awards Announced!

September 24, 2024 by Spencer Mapes

DENVER, Colorado – October 2025 The Brewers Association (BA) celebrated the finest beers of 2025 at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF®) awards ceremony, held on September 20, 2025, at the Bellco Theatre in Denver and livestreamed via The Brewing Network. As the nation’s premier professional beer competition, GABF medals are globally recognized as symbols of brewing excellence, coveted by brewers worldwide. This year, 263 breweries earned 303 medals across 99 beer categories encompassing 175 beer styles, including subcategories. Additionally, three Collaboration medals were awarded for beers crafted by multiple professional breweries, and three Pro-Am medals honored creations by professional and amateur homebrewer teams. Over nine days, 250 beer experts from 10 countries judged 9,298 commercial entries from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, alongside 95 Collaboration and 50 Pro-Am entries, supported by over 300 volunteers. “GABF is a stage for America’s top beers to shine through rigorous evaluation,” said Chris Williams, GABF competition director. “The brewing community’s dedication to innovation and quality is inspiring, and we’re proud to honor this year’s winners.”

View the 2023 winners or download a PDF list of the winners.

GABF COMPETITION STATISTICS
37th edition of the GABF competition
9,298 beers judged
2,033 breweries in the competition from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
250 judges
300+ volunteers
Average number of competition beers entered in each category: 92
Category with the highest number of entries: 65: Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale (365)
303 total medals awarded
263 medal-winning breweries
325 first-time GABF entrants
16 first-time GABF winners

TOP 5 MOST-ENTERED STYLE CATEGORY WINNERS
Category 65: Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale (365 entries) – Sponsored by Antigo Zeon

Category 66: West Coast-Style India Pale Ale (301 entries)

Category 36: Light Lager (284 entries)

Category 45: German-Style Pilsener (228 entries) – Sponsored by Tripleseat

Category 64: American-Style India Pale Ale (206 entries) – Sponsored by Micro Matic

MOST-MEDALED BREWERY
Third Eye Brewing Co. | Sharonville, OH
GOLD: Herb and Spice Beer (Cat.7)
GOLD: Chocolate Beer (Cat. 8)
SILVER: Pumpkin Beer (Cat. 5)
SILVER: Collaboration Competition

COLLABORATION COMPETITION (95 entries)
See criteria here.

GOLD: Luna Mexican Export Lager | Cheluna Brewing Co. & Prost Brewing Co.
SILVER: Mounds of Importance | Third Eye Brewing Co. & Narrow Path Brewing Co.
BRONZE: Two’s Daze | Attic Brewing Co. & Two Locals Brewing Co.

PRO-AM COMPETITION (50 entries)
See criteria here.

Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients, Country Malt Group, and White Labs

GOLD: She Fancies Herself A Little Bit French | CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing and Mark Pennick
SILVER: Rob’s Baltic Porter | New Belgium Brewing Co. and Rob Hardisty
BRONZE: What Is That? | Decipher Brewing Co. and Joel Miller

Editor’s note: Photos for media use are available on the GABF website. Members of the media are encouraged to contact brewerspr@backbone.media with any questions.

The 2023 Great American Beer Festival was made possible in part by the generous support of its sponsors.

The 1987 Great American Beer Festival Judging: When Craft Beer Got Its Gold Standard

For Brewing fun facts, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.

National Aviation Day’s Craft Beer of the Day: Flyer Red Lager Brewed by Warped Wing Brewing in Dayton, Ohio

August 19, 2024 by Dow Scoggins

Warped Wing Flyer Red American Red Lager
Flyer Red is an American Red Lager crafted by Warped Wing Brewing Company, located in Dayton, Ohio. This beer, with an ABV of 4.5% and an IBU of 12, is a year-round offering available in draft, 6-pack 12 oz cans, and as part of Warped Wing’s Lager Party Pack. It celebrates Ohio’s rich aviation history, paying homage to pioneers like the Wright Brothers, Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and the presence of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The beer’s name and red, white, and blue can design reflect this patriotic theme, embodying the spirit of innovation and determination. Thus, the perfect beer for National Aviation Day!

Tasting Notes
Appearance: Pours a reddish-amber or golden-amber color with a light khaki or off-white head. The head may dissipate quickly, with minimal lacing and good carbonation. Some pours may appear yeast-hazed.
Aroma: Features a clean, slightly sweet profile with notes of toasted bread crust, caramelized malts, sweet yellow bread, and gentle floral or grassy hops. Some reviewers note a slight sour or metallic scent in certain batches.
Taste: Balanced and smooth, with a light to moderate malt character. Expect hints of toffee, bready sweetness, and a touch of caramel. A mild hop bitterness provides a dry finish, though some find the flavor understated or slightly metallic.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied, crisp, and highly drinkable, making it a “crushable” lager ideal for casual sipping.
Food Pairings: Complements shellfish, light seafood, sushi, grilled pork or chicken, Southeast Asian, Latin, Mexican, and spicy dishes. Its versatility suits not-too-heavy pasta dishes as well.

National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day, observed annually on August 19 in the United States, celebrates the pioneering spirit of aviation and its transformative impact on society. Established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the date coincides with Orville Wright’s birthday, honoring the Wright brothers’ historic contributions to powered flight. The day recognizes the advancements in aviation technology, from the Wright Flyer’s first flight in 1903 to modern jets and spacecraft, highlighting how aviation has connected the world, revolutionized transportation, and expanded human exploration.

The significance of National Aviation Day extends beyond commemorating past achievements; it also inspires future innovation. Aviation has shaped global economies, enabling rapid travel and cargo transport, while military aviation has redefined defense strategies. Events on this day, such as airshows, museum exhibits, and educational programs, engage the public in celebrating pilots, engineers, and scientists who push the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s a moment to reflect on milestones like the moon landing and the rise of commercial aviation, which have made the world more accessible and interconnected.

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Asbury Park Brewery Releases ‘Stay Lucky’

August 13, 2024 by Dustin Scoggins

ASBURY PARK, NJ — Asbury Park Brewery is back with their fourth limited-edition beer collaboration with a musician. This one is a beer called “Stay Lucky” which gets its name from The Gaslight Anthem song off of their American Slang album.

The collaboration came along when the band’s lead singer Brian Fallon expressed his love for the brewery’s Sea Dragon IPA and the idea of collaborating on a beer came to life. This launch comes ahead of The Gaslight Anthem’s performance on Friday, August 16th at The Stone Pony Summer Stage.

Stay Lucky is available until it’s sold out and can only be purchased at the brewery’s tasting room at 614 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ. It’ll be available in 4-pack, 16oz cans for $15.99 and on tap at the tasting room. Stay Lucky is a 6.5% ABV hazy IPA with aromas of peach and mango. The flavor is described as a hoppy beer with haze, low bitterness, mango, tangerine, citrus and a little dank.

The collaboration will also give back to the music community, a portion of proceeds from sales of Stay Lucky will go to Red House Music & Rehearsal Studio, a music school located in New Jersey.

Asbury Park Brewery previously collaborated with The Front Bottoms, Jack Antonoff, and Panic! At The Disco on limited-edition beer releases.

About Asbury Park Brewery

Asbury Park Brewery is located at 614 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The space spans 3,180 square feet and features the brewery and tasting room. It is open 7 days per week. A total of 12 beers are on tap and will allow growler and crowler fills, takeout can sales and merchandise. The award-winning beer selection includes a combination of year-round, seasonal and new releases. Customers can enjoy live performances from musicians in the tasting room and are able to book the location for private events.

For more information please visit https://www.asburyparkbrewery.com/

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StormBreaker Brewing will Release 17 Fresh Hop Beers

August 12, 2024 by Dustin Scoggins

North Portland’s StormBreaker Brewing has become known for their pop culture referencing beers and neighborhood favorite pubs, but it may be the hop harvest season that has them digging deepest into their tanks for an incredible rollout of releases. This 2024 hop harvest season, StormBreaker Brewing anticipates releasing 17 or more fresh hop beers in a variety of beer styles.

StormBreaker Brewing has gained significant recognition for its fresh hop offerings, earning a total of seven medals over the past two years at prestigious events such as the Best of Craft and Oregon Beer Awards. The brewery’s celebrated brews include Fresh Hop Nobody Puts Hazy in a Corner, Triple Double Imperial IPA (2022 + 2023), Ella Rose Hazy IPA, Fresh Hop It Don’t Drop It Hazy IPA, Mississippi Red, and Set Freshies to Haze Hazy IPA.

This year, fans can look forward to the release of Fresh Hop Total ReKolsch and Handfuls of Fresh Hops between 08/16-08/20. These highly anticipated beers are expected to sell out quickly, so beer enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the pub promptly to enjoy these limited-edition brews.

For those who prefer to enjoy their fresh hop beers at home, StormBreaker Brewing is offering the option to pre-order fresh hop cans for takeout. This ensures that fans can secure their favorite fresh hop creations without missing out.

Don’t miss the chance to experience StormBreaker Brewing’s renowned fresh hop beers. Visit the brewery or place your pre-order today to be part of this exciting hop harvest season.

About StormBreaker Brewing

StormBreaker Brewing is an award-winning craft brewery co-founded in Portland, Oregon by Dan Malech and Rob Lutz in 2014. The brewery focuses on a wide range of craft beer and specialty craft cocktails and mocktails in two distinct locations, and strives to constantly produce innovative and high quality offerings.

For more information please visit https://www.stormbreakerbrewing.com/

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