Beer

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

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!