Beer

Pabst Blue Ribbon Introduces #1776Pack With 1,776 Beers

June 29, 2021 by Dustin Scoggins

MILWAUKEE – After 18 months of social distancing and self-isolation, this 4th of July, our country steps outside together once again to reclaim its independence. And the nation’s largest American owned brewery, Pabst Blue Ribbon, will be right there to take all of the credit.

Introducing the #1776Pack from Pabst Blue Ribbon. You’re welcome, America.

The #1776Pack will contain 1,776 Pabst Blue Ribbon beers and an infinite amount of Freedom.

“We figured the best way to honor the year America claimed its independence was to make a box that held that many beers – 1,776. It’s the least we could do. I mean beyond making our beer can red, and white, and blue. Actually 1,776 is the most we could do because 1,777 seemed excessive.” – Nick Reely, VP Marketing – Pabst Blue Ribbon

The limited-edition 1776 pack will launch on June 29th with four different partners. First, an iconic American brand whose products have been keeping drinks cold for over 70 years, Igloo Coolers. Additionally, skateboarding podcast crew The Nine Club, comedian Ali Macofsky, and Midwest emo darlings Hot Mulligan will all receive big ol’ boxes of beer. Each partner will provide content (and updates) through the Summer and into Labor Day.

Also, rats at home worry not, there’s already talks of (somehow) an even bigger box being released to the general public soon, as well as the return of the beloved 99-can pack, which is available now. Again, You’re Welcome, America.

About Pabst Blue Ribbon
Pabst Brewing Company, founded in 1844 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by Jacob Best, stands as one of America’s oldest and most iconic brewing institutions, with a rich heritage spanning over 180 years. Best known for its flagship Pabst Blue Ribbon—a premium American lager first brewed as Best Select and awarded “America’s Best” at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition—the company has grown into a portfolio of more than 30 cherished brands, including Old Milwaukee, Schlitz, Lone Star, Stroh’s, and National Bohemian. Committed to preserving authentic American brewing traditions, Pabst respects its past while embracing the future, fostering community connections through enduring beers that appeal to generations of enthusiasts.

Today, as a leading American-owned brewing company, Pabst continues to deliver high-quality, accessible beers crafted with premium ingredients and time-honored techniques. With a focus on cultural contributions, local partnerships, and innovative experiences like music festivals and merchandise, Pabst Brewing Company invites beer lovers everywhere to celebrate its legacy of quality and camaraderie. For more information on the full portfolio and latest updates, visit pabst.com or pabstblueribbon.com.

For More Information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUsHl5RAnLg

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The story of Deschutes Brewery’s Black Butte Porter

March 2, 2021 by Dow Scoggins

In 1987, we originally hired Frank Appleton, a brewing consultant from Canada to help us establish the brewing component of our planned brewpub in Bend, Oregon. In addition to designing the equipment, and having it installed, he would formulate the first three beers in our line-up. Not knowing much about it in 1988, we wanted something light, medium, and dark. Frank came up with Cascade Golden Ale, Bachelor Bitter, and Black Butte Porter. Our first brewer, John Harris, then put his hand (and considerable skill) on the formulation and Black Butte Porter was born. However, it was not until sometime later that Black Butte Porter became our “flagship” beer. After a year or so, and out of necessity to keep the brewery going, we began to explore wholesale distribution. Thinking conventionally, we began with Cascade Golden Ale and Bachelor Bitter as being most adaptable to the limited palates of 1980’s drinkers. It just seemed like lighter colored beer would make sense.

Once while meeting with our distributor in Portland, Oregon, Jim Kennedy, he posed a question. He said, “You need to decide what you want to be as a brewery. Now, you can sell these lighter colored beers and carve out your small but reasonable slice of the very large, light colored beer-pie, competing with everyone for that slice. Or, you can sell Black Butte Porter and, although the dark-colored beer-pie is much smaller, you can own the whole thing”. I guess being a contrarian at heart, that proposition appealed to me. Although we had to sacrifice quite a bit to make that happen. You see, the path of least resistance for beer salespeople was certainly not in dark beer. Particularly when we had developed some really popular lighter beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale. But we were committed. For the next few years, we kept the brakes on Mirror Pond and limited its market exposure to ensure Black Butte could gain a foothold in the market. It didn’t hurt that it was winning awards at a pretty good clip in those days. As a result, you could say we developed our second brand first, and we actually had two flagship brands with Black Butte and Mirror Pond sharing that distinction.
Black Butte Porter has continued to evolve, although our target flavors never really changed. But with growth naturally comes change. When we built our larger production facility in 1993, we installed a 50-barrel brewery. Later, we added a German-manufactured 150 barrel brewery that was much more efficient. Getting those two breweries to brew Black Butte Porter that tasted the same was quite the chore. But, we’re pretty stubborn, so four years later, we declared success and the legacy (and flavor) of Black Butte Porter could continue.

Black Butte continues to be our flagship. Even though beers like Mirror Pond Pale Ale and Fresh Squeezed outsell it. Black Butte is the best-selling porter in America and a significant point of pride for our team. It has successfully dispelled the misconceptions of dark beer. It is particularly successful at that task with novice craft drinkers. But, if we can get them to taste it, they are usually hooked! It has also spurred spin-offs like Black Butte Anniversary that is an imperial version of Black Butte Porter brewed for our company’s anniversary, but being barrel-aged and topping out around 11% alcohol with various added adjuncts like chocolate, chilis or coffee. We have also made a Black Butte Whiskey, with local distillery, Bendistillery. We make the wash for the whiskey using a variation of the Black Butte formula for that wash. Finally, we also do Black Butte3 where we use an imperial version of Black Butte Porter and age it in barrels that were used for Black Butte Whiskey.

Business consultants like to ask a question evaluating your business. That is, “what can you do your competitors can’t?” For me, the answer is clearly Black Butte Porter. The legend will continue. What we do with it next, well, stay tuned.

Written by Gary Fish, Founder of Deschutes Brewery

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Niagara College Teaching Brewery finishes year with gold-medal performance at the U.S. Open Beer Championship

December 13, 2020 by Dow Scoggins

Niagara on the Lake, Ontario – Staff and students at the Niagara College Teaching Brewery are clinking beer steins this week after three student-made beers medaled at the U.S. Open Beer Championships, including winning gold.

The trio of beers that were awarded honours at the competition, which drew 6,000 entries from throughout North America, are:
Gold for Beer 101 Bock in the Bock category;
Silver for Beer 101 Strong in the Old Ale category;
Silver for Beer 101 Bitter in the Bitter category.

Both the Beer 101 Bitter and Strong have consistently medalled at the U.S. Open Beer Championships over the past eight years. This is also the third medal this year for the Beer 101 Bock, which also scored a gold at the Ontario Brewing Awards and silver at the Canadian Brewing Awards earlier this fall.

“This is a significant accomplishment for students and staff at the Niagara College Teaching Brewery,” said Steve Gill, general manager of NC’s Learning Enterprises. “Our beers have performed well at competitions this year attesting to the quality of the applied education we offer at the college and to our students’ abilities to make some of the best beers in North America year after year.”

College Brewmaster Jon Downing noted that students in the Brewmaster and Brewery Operations program mastered the key characteristics judges seek when choosing winning beers in a competition.

“Students are learning how to make consistent, high-quality beer and they’re knocking it out of the park,” Downing said. “Quality and consistency are what the judges look for, and these beers have it. And with the Bock, we just nailed the recipe this year.”

The U.S. Open Beer Championships is the second-largest competition in North America and the only one to include suds from both professional and home brewers. Judges from the U.S. and Canada select winners in blind tastings, knowing only the categories, not the names or locations of beers competing.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, judging was held in both the U.S. and Canada.

Competition Director Dow Scoggins said Niagara students don’t just perform well at the competition while enrolled in school. They continue to do so after graduation.

He noted NC alumnus Jared Lewinski, who’s now the head brewer at Listermann Brewing Company in Cincinnati, produced four beers that medalled this year, including a gold in the nut beer category.

Another alumnus, Henriques Soares, who came from Brazil to study in the program, saw two of his beers for Tire Shack Brewing Co. in Moncton, N.B., medal, including a gold in the Gose category.

“One of the important things about Niagara College is the students do well there, but they also medal outside the College,” Scoggins said. “The No. 1 thing is we’re very big on clean beers with no alcohol taste. That speaks to the quality of brewing and the brewery at Niagara College.”

The award-winning beers are sold in 473-millilitre cans, which are available for purchase at the Wine Visitor + Education Centre, located at the College’s Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Sales of the brews support student education.

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2020 New York International Beer Competition Gold Medal Winners

June 30, 2020 by Dow Scoggins

At the 2020 New York International Beer Competition, the judges were delighted with the quality of beer submissions that they received in their 9th year. The competition had over 600+ beer submissions from 14 different countries.

Double Gold Medal
Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale
Rust Buffalo – Bhramari Brewing – Asheville, NC

Wood And Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
Utopias 2019 – Boston Beer Company – Boston, MA

Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout
Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout – Double Wing Brewing – Cleveland, OH

Gold Medal
American-Style Brown Ale
Beckley Furnace Brown Ale – Norbrook Farm Brewery – Colebrook, CT

American-Style Cream Ale or Lager $10 – Less
Outboard Cream Ale – MKE Brewing Co – Milwaukee, WI

American-Style Cream Ale or Lager, $11 – $15
Fulling Mill IPA – Mill River Brewing – Mills River, NC

American-Style India Pale Ale, $10 – Less
BAA Brewhouse Snog – BAA
The Zephyros Hazy IPA – HomeGrown Brewing – Oxford, MI
Breaking Bud – Knee Deep Brewing – Auburn, CA
Stevens Point Brewery

American-Style India Pale Ale, $11 – $15
Neon Ghosts – Bhramari Brewing – Asheville, NC

American-Style Imperial Stout, $11 – $15
Mallow Joe – Eight & Sand Beer Co. – Woodbury, NJ

American-Style Lager or Light Lager, $10 – Less
Utica Club Pilsener – Saranac Brewery/FX Matt Brewing – Utica, NY
Samuel Adams Sam ’76 – Boston Beer Company – Boston, MA

American-Style Pale Ale, $10 – Less
Zed’s in the Universe–Pale42 – Zed’s Beer – Marlton, NJ

American-Style Premium Lager or Specialty Lager, $10 – Less
Session Premium Lager – Full Sail Brewing Co. – Hood River, OR

Barley Wine-Style Ale, $10 – Less
Faux Year Anniversary Barleywine – Municipal Brew Works – Hamilton, OH

Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale, $10 – Less
La Roja – Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales – Michigan

Belgian-Style Pale Strong Ale, $10 – Less
Brouwerij Van Steenberge Piraat

Belgian-Style Tripel, $10 – Less
Three Sisters – Port O’Pints Brewing Co. – Crescent City, CA

Belgian-Style Witbier, $10 – Less
Birrai Umbri SS Cotta 21 Italian Blonde Ale – Italy

Brewed Hard Seltzer
Superbrew Ginger & Lemon- Farmer Willie’s Inc – Charlestown, MA

Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout, $10 – Less
Zed’s in Ireland–Dry Stout – Zed’s Beer – Marlton, NJ

English-Style India Pale Ale, $11 – $15
Ichthyosaur Icky” IPA” – Great Basin Brewing – Reno, NV

French- & French- and Belgian-Style Saison, $10 – Less
Million Reasons – IBEER – Italy

Fruit Beer, $10 – Less
Mangolandia – Veza Sur Brewing Co. – Miami, FL

German-Style Marzen, $10 – Less
Oktoberfest – River Rat Brewery – Columbia, SC
Proast German Style Marzen – Twin Oast Brewing – Port Clinton, OH

German-Style Schwarzbier, $11 – $15
Black Betty – Olde Salem Brewing – Salem, VA

Irish-Style Red Ale, $10 – Less
Irish Setter Red – Thirsty Dog Brewing Co – Akron, OH

Imperial India Pale Ale, $11 – $15
Coastal Evacuation – Cape May Brewing – Rio Grande, NJ

South German-Style Weizenbock/Weissbock
Aventinus Schneider Weisse – Germany

For Complete Medal Listing – Click Here

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Most Haunted Bars in America

June 16, 2020 by Andrew Innes

America’s Oldest and Most Haunted Bars: Where History Meets the Supernatural

The White Horse Tavern (1673)
Established in 1673 in Newport, Rhode Island, the White Horse Tavern is widely regarded as the oldest operating bar in the United States. This colonial-era gem once served as a gathering spot for merchants, sailors, and even pirates, and its rich history has led to numerous ghost stories. The most persistent legend involves a spectral elderly gentleman believed to be a former boarder who died unexpectedly in an upstairs room during the late 17th or early 18th century. Patrons and staff report sightings of a shadowy figure in colonial attire near the fireplace or on the upper floors, along with sudden chills, unexplained footsteps, and a melancholic presence that lingers in the historic building’s dimly lit corners. Location: 26 Marlborough St, Newport, RI Website: www.whitehorsetavern.us

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar (circa 1772)
Nestled on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is one of the oldest structures used as a bar in America, dating back to the 1770s. Originally a front for pirate Jean Lafitte’s smuggling operations, this candlelit piano bar preserves its eerie, old-world charm. Many believe Lafitte’s spirit remains, with sightings of a tall, commanding figure in period attire near the fireplace—often vanishing when approached. Visitors report glowing red eyes in the grate, whispers, flickering candles, and a heavy presence, attributed to the pirate guarding his former domain. Additional spirits, possibly from the building’s secretive past, add to the paranormal allure. Location: 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA Website: www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com

Shaker’s Cigar Bar (1894 building, speakeasy era 1920s)
Shaker’s Cigar Bar in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, embraces its reputation as one of America’s most haunted bars, with a dark history as a Prohibition-era speakeasy, brothel, and cooperage tied to Schlitz Brewing. Prominent spirits include Elizabeth, a young girl whose tragic death haunts the bathroom with faucets turning on independently and mirror apparitions, and Molly, a brothel worker brutally murdered in the penthouse—her presence marked by footsteps, cries, and shadowy figures. The building, reportedly over an old cemetery, buzzes with activity like moving objects and cold spots. Owner-led ghost tours delve into these tales, inviting visitors to experience the lingering energy. Location: 422 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI Website: www.shakerscigarbar.com

Captain Tony’s Saloon (1851 building, saloon since 1930s)
Built on the site of Key West’s former morgue, Captain Tony’s Saloon in Florida features a notorious “hanging tree” growing through the bar—once used for executions—and graves beneath the floor, including that of “Lady in Blue” Elvira, hanged for murder. Patrons report eerie sensations, locked bathroom doors, and sightings of her ghostly figure. The bar’s macabre decor, including human remains discovered during renovations, amplifies its haunted vibe in this pirate-filled paradise. Location: 428 Greene St, Key West, FL Website: www.capttonyssaloon.com

Pioneer Saloon (1913)
In the near-ghost town of Goodsprings, Nevada, the Pioneer Saloon is a Wild West classic with bullet holes in the walls from a 1915 cheating-at-cards shooting that killed miner Paul Coski—his spirit is said to linger near the poker tables. Additional hauntings include an old miner in crumpled attire and cries in the restroom, drawing paranormal enthusiasts to this historic spot featured in films and games. Location: 310 W Spring St, Goodsprings, NV Website: www.pioneersaloon.info

Ear Inn(early 1800’s) – The Ear Inn has been serving drinks since the early nineteenth century and is considered on of New York City’s oldest bars. Because of its location next to the Hudson River, the inn was frequented by sailors, merchants, pirates, and many of the city’s undesirables. The building was also reportedly used as a brothel during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when it was also a speakeasy. 326 Spring St. New York, NY Website: www.earinn.com

The Menger Bar(1859) – This bar is located in the Menger Hotel. This hotel is often called the “most haunted hotel in Texas.” There are said to be thirty-two different entities roaming the bar, hotel, and restaurant. Some of them, like the ghost of Teddy Roosevelt, are said to be good-natured and friendly. 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas Website: www.mengerhotel.com

Whitehorse Tavern(1673) – The oldest bar in the United States, of course, has some ghost stories to tell. The Whitehorse Tavern was opened in the Rhode Island Colony in 1673, making it the oldest bar in the country. Walking alone in the building feels a bit creepy, especially when one knows at any time they might see one of the spirits wandering around. One of the ghosts is an elderly gentleman who died while renting a room upstairs in the early years of the Whitehorse. 26 Marlborough St., Newport, RI. This tavern is the oldest on our most haunted bars list. Website: www.whitehorsetavern.us

Simon’s Tavern(Legally opened in 1934) – Located in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood this cafe, turned speakeasy, turned legitimate bar, has quite a few ghost stories to share. This bar has it all, including a love triangle complete with shunned lovers, a horrible car accident, and an expensive and extensive family cover-up. Stop by the bar, ask for Scott and request the nickel tour, then watch and listen as he tells you about the bar’s haunted happenings—guaranteed to be a chilling experience. Finish it off with a few drinks at the bar and if you’re lucky, a ghost or two may join you. 520 N. Clark Street, Chicago IL

Bridge Café(1794) – This cafe originally opened as a grocery and porterhouse, the Bridge Café is one of New York City’s oldest bars. Throughout its colorful past it has been a pirate haven, brothel, and speakeasy, and today’s paranormal activity reflects its notorious history. From random footsteps on the second floor, unexplained scents of lavender (the perfume of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century prostitutes), malfunctioning electronics, and unexplained late-night parties, the Bridge Café is sure to please those in search of paranormal activity. Hopefully will reopen soon after Hurricane Sandy put the bar underwater. 279 Water St. New York, NY. Website: www.bridgecafenyc.com

The Tavern(1916) – During Prohibition, this Austin favorite was a grocery store by day and upscale bar, casino, and brothel by night—and some of the patrons refuse to leave. Numerous staff members and visitors at The Tavern report having seen a young lady dressed in early-twentieth-century garb, accompanied by her daughter while wandering the halls or looking out windows. The ghosts are thought to be Emily, a former prostitute, and her young daughter, who were supposedly killed accidentally during a fight between patrons. 922 West 12th Street, Austin, TX Website: http://www.tavernaustin.com

Tiger’s Tap Room(1919) – The Hotel Congress and Tiger’s Tap Room have played host to some of history’s most nefarious characters: John Dillinger’s gang stayed here, and Wyatt Earp shot and killed Frank Stilwell right across the street. But to really experience the hotel’s late-night spiritual activities, spend the night in room 242, where a hotel guest took her own life; if you examine the closet you can still see the bullet hole. 311 E. Congress St., Tucson, Arizona Website: hotelcongress.com

Arnaud’s(1918) – This New Orleans bar and restaurant is located right next to the world-famous Bourbon Street, right in the middle of some of America’s most active spirit haunts. New Orleans has the most haunted bars in Lousianna. Today, Arnaud’s is haunted by a wide variety of ghosts, including those believed to be spirits of opium fiends, apparitions of gentlemen enjoying a late night at the bar, and even Arnaud himself appearing at random to look in on his legacy. 813 Bienville Avenue, New Orleans, LA. Website: www.arnaudsrestaurant.com

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Other Notable Haunted Bars:

Simon’s Tavern (1934), Chicago, IL – A former speakeasy with tales of love triangles and cover-ups; ask for the “nickel tour.” Website: www.simonstavern.com
Bridge Café (1794), New York, NY – A pirate haven turned brothel/speakeasy; reports of footsteps and scents (note: closed since Hurricane Sandy, with potential reopening). Website: www.bridgecafenyc.com
The Tavern (1916), Austin, TX – Haunted by Emily and her daughter from a deadly brawl. Website: www.thetavernaustin.com
Tiger’s Tap Room at Hotel Congress (1919), Tucson, AZ – Tied to outlaw John Dillinger; a tragic ghost in Room 242. Website: www.hotelcongress.com
Arnaud’s (1918), New Orleans, LA – Spirits of past patrons and the founder himself. Website: www.arnaudsrestaurant.com
Ear Inn (early 1800s), New York, NY – Sailor and pirate haunt with footsteps and shadows. Website: www.earinn.com
The Menger Bar (1859), San Antonio, TX – In Texas’ most haunted hotel, with 32 spirits including Teddy Roosevelt. Website: www.mengerhotel.com

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Commerce Street Brewery & Hotel – Mineral Point, Wisconsin

February 3, 2020 by Dustin Scoggins

Here is the three story lime stone building on Commerce Street. Commerce Street Brewery and Hotel has five rooms located above the Brewpub Restaurant. Two on the second floor and three on the third. While the amenities are similar, each has its own personality and appeal. Which room is best? That is for you to discover.

In the morning they serve a “Continental plus” breakfast in our second-floor guest lounge. This is a simple casual breakfast offering coffee, tea, fruit, juice, yogurt, cereal, toasting bread, hard boiled eggs and really good sweets! Coffee is available as early as you need and we bring the breakfast out at 8:30 AM. It will be out until 9:30 or 10:00. Your holiday. Your pace.

Brewery
Their brewery is a modern, 15-barrel brew house capable of making up to 3,000 barrels of beer per year. They can make ales or lagers, but mostly it has been ales, which tend to have a more complex flavor profile. They can use a simple one-step infusion mash, or more elaborate multi-temperature steps.

Brewpub Restaurant
The Brewery Creek Brewpub is an intimate space with exposed stone walls, hand hewn timbers and beams, supporting posts and a beautiful bar. You will not find another like it. We seat about 50 including our bar seats. Our kitchen closes by 8:00 or 8:30, depending on the day of the week, to ensure quiet by 10:00 for our lodging guests.

Beers
Golden Ale
A golden ale, light in color, patterned after the “Kolsch” beer of Cologne. Moderately hopped and refreshing and about 5% abv. Our lightest beer.

India Pale Ale
Huge amounts of hops both bittering ion the kettle and flavor in the fermenter. The problem with most modern “IPAs” is that they have lots of hops, but no age. Traditionally IPAs were at least a year old before consumption. Ours is about 6 months. During that time the hops undergoa change, mellowing.

Lemon Shandy
A classic drink of the British Islanders, beer and lemonade. Alth0ugh the modern Brits and Ausies use Seven up (gasp!) we are more traditional with the ‘ol lemonade and some lime. Sweetish, and sourish, and beery and refreshing. When the last keg of Summer is gone, no more till Spring.

Pale Ale
It is a Pale Ale, everybody knows what that means, yeah? Good amount of hop bitterness, no dry hopping. American hops.

Scottish Porter
This porter is based on a recipe from the Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Information
The Brewery Creek Inn
23 Commerce Street
Mineral Point, WI 53565
Email: info@brewerycreek.com
Phone: 608-987-3298
Website: brewerycreek.com/

FOBAB – The 2019 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer Medal Winners

November 11, 2019 by Dow Scoggins

The Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer(FOBAB), the world’s largest and most prestigious barrel-aged beer festival and competition, returned to Chicago this past weekend at UIC Forum (725 W. Roosevelt Rd.). More than 200 craft breweries from across the United States will showcase their rarest, most innovative wood and barrel-aged brews, competing for top honors in The National Barrel Aged Beer Competition. Here are the winners!

FOBAB – BEST OF SHOW
Bottle Logic Brewing, Anaheim, CA – Arcane Rituals (Barleywine/Wheatwine)

FOBAB – BEST OF SHOW – Runner Up
The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA – Peach Afternoon

FOBAB Medal Winners

Strong Porter Stout
Gold – Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Columbus, OH – 3-2-1 Double Barrel Dire Wolf
Silver – Crystal Lake Brewing, Crystal Lake, IL – Boathouse Reserve Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Bronze – More Brewing Co., Villa Park, IL – Mehndi 2019

Specialty Strong/Porter Stout
Gold – Cerebral Brewing, Denver, CO – Vanilla Rye Here Be Monsters
Silver – Hidden Springs Ale Works, Tampa, FL – After Dinner Decadence
Bronze – Half Acre Beer Company, Chicago (Balmoral) – Vanilla Benthic

Barleywine/Wheatwine
Gold – Bottle Logic Brewing, Anaheim, CA – Arcane Rituals
Silver – Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Chicago & Bridgman, MI – Barrel Aged Bollocks
Bronze – Kros Strain Brewing Company, LaVista, NE – Barrel Aged Barrellywine Vol. 2

Classic Beer Style
Gold – Kros Strain Brewing Company, LaVista, NE – 53 Magnum
Silver – Derive Brewing Company, Columbus, OH – It’s only dirty paper!
Bronze – Church Street Brewing Company, Itasca, IL – Holy Moly

Strong Pale Beer
Gold – Pollyanna Brewing Company, Lemont, IL – Apple Brandy Barrel Aged Orenda Volume 03
Bronze – Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH – Barrel Aged Tripel Dog Dare

Strong Dark Beer
Gold – Revolution Brewing, Chicago – V.S.O.R. (Very Special Old Ryeway)
Silver – Pollyanna Brewing Company, Lemont, IL – Orenda Volume 02
Bronze – Taxman Brewing Company, Bargersville, IN – Bourbon Barrel Qualified

Fruit Beer
Gold – Werk Force Brewing, Plainfield, IL – Farmhouse Vultures with Blackberries and Raspberries
Silver – Revolution Brewing, Chicago – Strawberry Jacket
Bronze – MyGrain Brewing Co., Joliet, IL – I Have Time

Specialty/Experimental
Gold – 5 Rabbit Cervecería, Bedford Park, IL – El Pirata
Silver – MadTree Brewing Cincinnati, OH – Joon – Chamomile & Elderflower
Bronze – Monday Night Brewing Atlanta, GA – Tie 8 On

Wild Beer/Brett (non-acidic)
Gold – Afterthought Brewing Company, Lombard, IL – Afterthought Ale: Wine Barrel Fermented (Yuzu & Key Lime Juice)
Silver – Hacienda Beer Co., – Baileys Harbor, WI L’hiver
Bronze – Branch & Bone Artisan Ales, Dayton, OH – Silence Mill

Wild Beer (Acidic) Sours
Gold – MobCraft Beer, Milwaukee, WI – Sour Golden Ale
Silver – Off Color Brewing – Mousetrap, Chicago – Procatsination
Bronze – Upstream Brewing Company, Omaha, NE – Things!

Wild Beer (Acidic) w/ Fruit
Gold – The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA – Peach Afternoon
Silver – Forager Brewery, Rochester, MN – Dollar Menu Pie
Bronze – Coppertail Brewing Co., Tampa, FL – Creature de mer Rouge

Cider/Perry/Mead
Gold – Misbeehavin’ Meads, Valparaiso, IN – BBA Caramel Apple Cider
Silver – Garagiste Meadery, Tampa, FL – Cognac Barrel Aged Black Widow
Bronze – Superstition Meadery, Prescott, AZ – Grand Cru Berry

History of FoBAB
Picture this: Back in the early 2000s, Chicago’s craft beer scene was fizzing with wild ideas, thanks to trailblazers like Goose Island’s Greg Hall who kicked off the barrel-aging revolution in the mid-’90s by stuffing stouts into bourbon barrels for that oaky, boozy magic. Fast-forward to a casual night at Rock Bottom Brewery in 2003, where three beer-loving masterminds—Pete Crowley (the venue wizard), Todd Ashman (beer hunter extraordinaire), and Jeff Sparrow (competition czar)—sipped a rare barrel-aged stout and thought, “Why not throw a party just for these wooden wonders?” Whipping it up in a whirlwind month, they launched the inaugural Festival of Barrel-Aged Beer (FOBAB) that November on Rock Bottom’s cozy second floor, featuring a modest 36 pours from 22 breweries. What started as a quirky nod to experimental brews exploded into North America’s barrel-aging bonanza, now packing the UIC Credit Union 1 Arena with over 300 mind-bending beers from 150+ spots worldwide—think bourbon-kissed porters, wine-barrel wild sours, and mead that’s aged to perfection. It’s not just a festival; it’s a boozy time machine celebrating 20+ years of brewers pushing flavor boundaries, all while raising dough for the Illinois Craft Brewers Guild. Grab your ticket for November 2025—your taste buds will thank you with a tipsy high-five!

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Miami University’s Brewery Field Study Program Expands Across U.S. Craft Beer Hubs

February 22, 2019 by Edwin Arnaudin

For the past five winter terms, Miami University’s Supply Chain Craft Brewery Field Study has taken students on immersive learning experiences across top U.S. craft beer regions. The program includes visits to breweries in Portland, Oregon; Colorado’s Front Range; and since 2016, the thriving beer scene in Asheville, North Carolina.

Originally focused on major breweries and well-known craft beer producers, the program has since evolved to include a broader range of businesses and industry sectors. “We now engage with a much wider variety of breweries and industry partners—from the Brewers Association and yeast labs to hop farms, brewing equipment manufacturers, and distributors,” says Dr. Michael Conger, assistant professor of management and program coordinator.

The field study also now explores topics beyond supply chain logistics. With contributions from faculty like Conger, who specializes in entrepreneurship and strategy, the program offers students a more comprehensive view of the brewing industry. Conger credits the program’s founder, Dr. Rocky Newman, for his vision and leadership in growing the program’s impact.

“Our goal is to give students a deeper, interdisciplinary understanding of the brewing world,” Conger adds. “With diverse faculty and students, we can provide a richer educational experience.”

Student engagement has also increased. “They ask nonstop questions,” Conger notes. “The industry professionals we visit have become true partners, helping students dive deeper into what makes the craft beer industry so dynamic.”

One standout experience for Conger and his students was their 2019 visit to Asheville, a city he knew well as a judge for the U.S. Open Beer Championship. While he used his downtime to explore top breweries like Burial Beer Co., Wicked Weed’s Funkatorium, and Thirsty Monk, students such as Madison Cain discovered the unexpected depth of Asheville’s beer scene.

“I had heard of Hi-Wire Brewing but didn’t realize New Belgium and Sierra Nevada also had breweries in Asheville,” Cain said. “Before the trip, I associated craft beer mostly with the West Coast.”

Class visits included stops at New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues’ East Coast facility, Highland Brewing (Asheville’s oldest), White Labs, and Riverbend Malt House. Cain noted that Asheville’s scene felt “less saturated” than those in Oregon or Colorado, with more room for growth.

Conger was equally impressed. “The sense of community and collaboration among Asheville brewers is incredible,” he said. “At White Labs, we even walked into a Baltic Porter collaboration release with Hi-Wire and Riverbend. That kind of spontaneous celebration is rare outside of places like Bend or Fort Collins.”

Looking ahead to its sixth year, the program plans to deepen its partnerships and continue exploring new trends in beer production, business models, and collaborations. Conger views the craft beer industry as one of the most innovative and multifaceted business environments today.

“As an entrepreneurship professor, I love bringing students from different majors into this unique and exciting industry,” Conger says. “Miami University has long championed interdisciplinary, liberal arts education—and this program reflects that commitment. These experiences are exactly why students choose Miami.”

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2018 World Beer Cup Medal Winners Announced from Nashville

May 4, 2018 by Dow Scoggins

Nashville, Tennessee, hosted the 2018 World Beer Cup on May 3 at the Music City Center, where more than 2,500 breweries from 66 countries entered 8,234 beers across 101 style categories. Judged by 295 international experts over six days, the biennial competition—widely known as the “Olympics of Beer”—was organized by the Brewers Association to recognize brewing excellence. U.S. breweries dominated the awards, capturing 242 medals, ahead of Canada and Belgium.

Port City Brewing Co. of Virginia won Brewery of the Year in the medium-sized category, while California’s The Lost Abbey claimed the title for small breweries. Notable international medals included gold for Germany’s Greif Bräu Pils from Brauerei Greif and silver for Australia’s Hornet IPA from Black Hops Brewing. The ceremony concluded with brewers sharing stories and toasts, highlighting the global craft-beer community’s spirit of innovation and collaboration.

Competition Highlights
Most-entered categories in 2018:
377 entries in Category 93, American-Style India Pale Ale
196 entries in Category 94, Imperial India Pale Ale
196 entries in Category 28, Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
190 entries in Category 29, Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout
Number of countries represented: 66

2018 World Beer Cup Winners

Category 1: American-Style Wheat Beer – 53 Entries
Gold: Dark O’ the Moon, Tilted Axis Brewing Co., Lapeer, MI
Silver: Whacked Out Wheat, Telluride Brewing Co., Telluride, CO
Bronze: Clutch’s American Wheat, Tustin Brewing Co., Tustin, CA

Category 2: American-Style Wheat Beer with Yeast – 40 Entries
Gold: Miner’s Gold Hefeweizen, Lewis & Clark Brewing Co., Helena, MT
Silver: Beehive Honey Wheat, Bristol Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze: BayWatch, Elk Horn Brewery, Eugene, OR

Category 3: Fruit Beer – 118 Entries
Gold: Chchchch-Cherry Bomb, Melvin Brewing – Jackson, Jackson, WY
Silver: Razz Against the Machine, Little Machine, Denver, CO
Bronze: American Sour Ale with Guava, Loveland Aleworks, Loveland, CO

Category 4: Fruit Wheat Beer – 70 Entries
Gold: Mango Cart, Golden Road Brewing, Los Angeles, CA
Silver: Passionate Envy, 10 Barrel Brewing Co. – Bend Pub, Bend, OR
Bronze: Bitchin’ Berry, Great Basin Brewing Co., Reno, NV

Category 5: Belgian-Style Fruit Beer – 52 Entries
Gold: Nectarine Golden Ale, pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR
Silver: Rosetta, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY
Bronze: Wallflower Spring Saison, Fat Bottom Brewing Co., Nashville, TN

Category 6: Pumpkin Beer – 33 Entries
Gold: 5 Phantoms Pumpkin Spice Barleywine, Philipsburg Brewing Co., Philipsburg, MT
Silver: Pumpkin Ale, Bier Brewery and Taproom, Indianapolis, IN
Bronze: Pope’s Imperial Pumpkin Ale, Millersburg Brewing Co., Millersburg, OH

Category 7: Field Beer – 74 Entries
Gold: Tupiniquim Pecan Imperial Stout, Cervejaria Tupiniquim, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Silver: The Patsy, Barley Forge Brewing Co., Costa Mesa, CA
Bronze: Beet Cream Ale, Cogstone Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO

Category 8: Chili Beer – 57 Entries
Gold: McFate Hatch Chile Gatos, McFate Brewing Co., Scottsdale, AZ
Silver: Datil, Motorworks Brewing, Bradenton, FL
Bronze: Heat of the Night, Hoparazzi Brewing Co., Anaheim, CA

Category 9: Herb and Spice Beer – 142 Entries
Gold: Spruce IPA, Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, AK
Silver: Lohn Bier Carvoeira, Cervejaria Lohn, Lauro Mueller, Brazil
Bronze: Taiwan Head Brewers Start of Autumn Tea Ale, Taiwan Head Brewers Brewing Co.,
New Taipei City, Taiwan

Category 10: Chocolate Beer – 77 Entries
Gold: Genesee Brew House Pilot Batch Dark Chocolate Scotch Ale, Genesee Brewing Co. – Genesee
Brew House, Rochester, NY
Silver: Somebody Else’s Dream, Fort Myers Brewing Co., Fort Myers, FL
Bronze: Assault N Fudgery, Barrage Brewing Co., Farmingdale, NY

Category 11: Coffee Beer – 71 Entries
Gold: Gusto Crema, Georgetown Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
Silver: Pablo Escobeer, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing – Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Bronze: Breakfast of Champions Coffee Lager, Riot Brewing Co., Chemainus, Canada

Category 12: Coffee Stout or Porter – 157 Entries
Gold: Portola Breakfast Stout, Tustin Brewing Co., Tustin, CA
Silver: Mocha Machine, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing – Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach, CA
Bronze: Odin, Cerveceria Rámuri, Tijuana, Mexico

Category 13: Specialty Beer – 61 Entries
Gold: Double Stack, Great Notion Brewing, Portland, OR
Silver: SUNMAI Buckwheat Lager, Long Sun Brewing Co., New Taipei City, Taiwan
Bronze: Campfire Stout, High Water Brewing, Stockton, CA

Category 14: Rye Beer – 54 Entries
Gold: Red Rocker, Cromarty Brewing Co., Cromarty, United Kingdom
Silver: Ryes Against the Machine, Hell’s Basement Brewery, Medicine Hat, Canada
Bronze: Panic Switch, Platform Beer Co., Cleveland, OH

Category 15: Honey Beer – 65 Entries
Gold: Honey Please, Armadillo Ale Works, Denton, TX
Silver: Belgian Honey Blonde, No Clue Craft Brewery, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Bronze: Jetty, Great South Bay Brewery, Bay Shore, NY

Category 16: Session Beer – 48 Entries
Gold: Fernson Farmhouse Ale, Fernson Brewing Co., Sioux Falls, SD
Silver: Session Pale Ale, Center of the Universe Brewing Co., Ashland, VA
Bronze: Peacekeeper, Launch Pad Brewery, Aurora, CO

Category 17: Session India Pale Ale – 103 Entries
Gold: Trump Hands, Cannonball Creek Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Silver: Hop Tamer Session IPA, Higherground Brewing Co., Hamilton, MT
Bronze: Tuna, Half Acre Beer Co., Chicago, IL

Category 18: Other Strong Beer – 51 Entries
Gold: Anodyne, Revolver Brewing, Granbury, TX
Silver: Grateful Haze Porter, Bellefonte Brewing Co., Wilmington, DE
Bronze: ZOZ #3 Golden, Brasserie 35, Turuçu, Brazil

Category 19: Experimental Beer – 130 Entries
Gold: Sn4 Cuvée, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, Hood River, OR
Silver: Hickory Peach Wee Heavy, The Intrepid Sojourner Beer Project, Denver, CO
Bronze: Wild Barrels Project #5, Lost Forty Brewing, Little Rock, AR

Category 20: Fresh or Wet Hop Ale – 21 Entries
Gold: More Like Bore-O-Phyll, Call To Arms Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Silver: This Year’s Crop Wet Hop, Pinthouse Pizza – Burnet, Austin, TX
Bronze: Fresh Frozen, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle, WA

Category 21: Historical Beer – 61 Entries
Gold: Pilsner, Old Town Brewing, Portland, OR
Silver: Subtilus, Werk Force Brewing Co., Plainfield, IL
Bronze: Pantomime Horse, Community Beer Works, Buffalo, NY

Category 22: Gluten-Free Beer – 28 Entries
Gold: Gueten Beer, Sleeping Giant Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Silver: IPA No. 5, Ground Breaker Brewing, Portland, OR
Bronze: Copperhead, ALT Brew, Madison, WI

Category 23: American-Belgo-Style Ale – 42 Entries
Gold: Klipspringer, Metazoa Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN
Silver: Juxtapose, Four Winds Brewing Co., Delta, Canada
Bronze: Brother Harker Patersbier, Barrel Head Brewhouse, San Francisco, CA

Category 24: American-Style Sour Ale – 130 Entries
Gold: Raspberry, Upland Brewing Co. – Bloomington Brewpub, Bloomington, IN
Silver: Krieky Bones, Firestone Walker Barrelworks, Buellton, CA
Bronze: Guava Happens, The Rare Barrel, Berkeley, CA

Category 25: Brett Beer – 58 Entries
Gold: Saison Trystero, Our Mutual Friend Brewing, Denver, CO
Silver: Genetic Drift with Peaches, Speciation Artisan Ales, Comstock Park, MI
Bronze: Fantastic Voyage, Gigantic Brewing Co., Portland, OR

Category 26: Mixed Culture Brett Beer – 55 Entries
Gold: The Thief, Societe Brewing Co., San Diego, CA
Silver: ZuurPruin, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, Hood River, OR
Bronze: TBD Peach Sour, Columbus Brewing Co., Columbus, OH

Category 27: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer – 59 Entries
Gold: Queen of Hearts, Pelican Brewing Co. – Pacific City, Pacific City, OR
Silver: Double Barrel Knotty, Twin Peaks Brewing Co., Irving, TX
Bronze: Dry Hopped Brett Pale Ale, Hi-Wire Brewing – South Slope Specialty Brewery, Asheville, NC

Category 28: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer – 196 Entries
Gold: Gin Barrel O-Gii, Milwaukee Brewing Co. – 2nd Street Brewery, Milwaukee, WI
Silver: Scarlet, Steamworks Brewing Co., Burnaby, Canada
Bronze: Bligh’s Barleywine Ale, Dry Dock Brewing Co. – North Dock, Aurora, CO

Category 29: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout – 190 Entries
Gold: Thunder Hug, Wild Acre Brewing Co., Fort Worth, TX
Silver: The Baroness, Fat Bottom Brewing Co., Nashville, TN
Bronze: Three Tun, Hermitage Brewing Co., San Jose, CA

Category 30: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer – 71 Entries
Gold: Train to Beersel, Bruery Terreux, Anaheim, CA
Silver: Odyssey 008, Siren Craft Brew, Finchampstead, United Kingdom
Bronze: Petit Poisson, Little Fish Brewing Co., Athens, OH

Category 31: Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer – 117 Entries
Gold: Riserva, Weyerbacher Brewing Co., Easton, PA
Silver: Ritual Madness, Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin, FL
Bronze: Peach Climacteric, WeldWerks Brewing Co., Greeley, CO

Category 32: Aged Beer – 45 Entries
Gold: Vladislav, Diebolt Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Silver: Oblivious, Griffin Claw Brewing Co., Birmingham, MI
Bronze: Solzhenitsyn, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Media, Media, PA

Category 33: Kellerbier or Zwickelbier – 92 Entries
Gold: STiVO, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA
Silver: Shoat, Sterling Pig Brewery, Media, PA
Bronze: Keller Pils, Summit Brewing Co., Saint Paul, MN

Category 34: Smoke Beer – 76 Entries
Gold: Smoked Marzen, 49th State Brewing Co. – Denali National Park, Denali National Park, AK
Silver: Smoke & Mirrors Imperial Smoked Ale, Coal Harbour Brewing Co., Vancouver, Canada
Bronze: 18022/42, The Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field, Denver, CO

Category 35: Light Lager – 72 Entries
Gold: BC Light, Territorial Brewing Co., Springfield, MI
Silver: Van ICE, MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., Van Nuys, CA
Bronze: Cayaco, Cervecería de Colima, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico

Category 36: International-Style Pilsener – 64 Entries
Silver: Vlad the Impaler, Fretboard Brewing Co., Blue Ash, OH
Bronze: Pedro O’Flanagan’s Mexican Lager, Quarter Celtic Brewpub, Albuquerque, NM

Category 37: Other International-Style Lager – 81 Entries
Gold: Mountain Jam, Southbound Brewing Co., Savannah, GA
Silver: Camden Pils Lager, Camden Town Brewery, London, United Kingdom
Bronze: Four Peaks Golden Lager, Four Peaks Brewing Co., Tempe, AZ

Category 38: Baltic-Style Porter – 66 Entries
Gold: Bangor Slate Baltic Porter, Two Rivers Brewing Co., Easton, PA
Silver: Doggerland, Oakshire Brewing, Eugene, OR
Bronze: Danzig, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. – Outpost, Lexington, VA

Category 39: German-Style Pilsener – 176 Entries
Gold: Primadonna Pilsner, Rockyard American Grill & Brewing Co., Castle Rock, CO
Silver: Sprockets, Gravely Brewing Co., Louisville, KY
Bronze: Pils Lager, Fourpure Brewing Co., London, United Kingdom

Category 40: Bohemian-Style Pilsener – 92 Entries
Gold: Chuckanut Pilsner, Chuckanut Brewery, Bellingham, WA
Silver: Bobcat Pilsner, Adirondack Pub and Brewery, Lake George, NY
Bronze: Check Pils, Beaver Island Brewing Co., Saint Cloud, MN

Category 41: Muenchner-Style Helles – 122 Entries
Gold: Penn Gold, Pennsylvania Brewing Co., Pittsburgh, PA
Silver: Nashville Lager, Nashville Brewing Co., Nashville, TN
Bronze: Mass Produced Lager: Helles, Wormtown Brewery, Worcester, MA

Category 42: Dortmunder/Export or German-Style Oktoberfest – 57 Entries
Gold: Ott Spezial, Schussenrieder Brauerei, Bad Schussenried, Germany
Silver: Alpirsbacher Spezial, Alpirsbacher Klosterbreau Glauner Co., Alpirsbach, Germany
Bronze: The Weasel, C.B. & Potts / Big Horn Brewery – Fort Collins, Fort Collins, CO

Category 43: Vienna-Style Lager – 98 Entries
Gold: Hook & Hatchet, Nevin’s Brewing Co., Plainfield, IL
Silver: Gustav, Taft’s Ale House, Cincinnati, OH
Bronze: Havana Lager, Concrete Beach Brewery, Miami, FL

Category 44: German-Style Maerzen – 62 Entries
Gold: Your Move Paulie!, Independent Brewing Co., Bel Air, MD
Silver: Mayhem Maerzen, Springfield Brewing Co., Springfield, MO
Bronze: Film Fest Lager, Good City Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI

Category 45: Munich-Style Dunkel or European-Style Dark Lager – 67 Entries
Gold: I Dunkled in My Pants, Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Buellton, CA
Silver: Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel, Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg, Regensburg, Germany
Bronze: Fearless Youth, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, Loveland, CO

Category 46: Dark Lager – 99 Entries
Gold: Night Train, Steamworks Brewing Co., Durango, CO
Silver: Alternate Present, Fiction Beer Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Černé, Chainline Brewing Co., Kirkland, WA

Category 47: German-Style Bock or Maibock – 70 Entries
Gold: Wonderland, Silver City Brewery, Bremerton, WA
Silver: Moninger Bertold Bock Dunkel, Hatz-Moninger Brauhaus, Karlsruhe, Germany
Bronze: Breakline Bock, Rip Current Brewing, San Marcos, CA

Category 48: German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock – 79 Entries
Gold: Smooth Like Jazz, Revelry Brewing Co., Charleston, SC
Silver: Doppelbock, Kansas City Bier Co., Kansas City, MO
Bronze: Double Love Honey, Lost Forty Brewing, Little Rock, AR

Category 49: American-Style Lager or American-Style Cream Ale – 122 Entries
Gold: Old Style Lager, Pabst Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI
Silver: Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pabst Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI
Bronze: Hamm’s, Miller Brewing Co., Chicago, IL

Category 50: American-Style Amber Lager – 70 Entries
Gold: Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Silver: Tragedy of the Common, Iowa Brewing Co., Cedar Rapids, IA
Bronze: 89Ale, O.H.S.O. Brewery – Paradise Valley, Phoenix, AZ

Category 51: Australian-Style Pale Ale or International-Style Pale Ale – 122 Entries
Gold: Breakside Lunch Break ISA, Breakside Brewery & Taproom, Milwaukie, OR
Silver: Nail VPA, Nail Brewing, Perth, Australia
Bronze: Pete’s Stash Pale, Vail Brewing Co., Avon, CO

Category 52: German-Style Koelsch – 125 Entries
Gold: Chuckanut Kolsch Style, Chuckanut Brewery, Bellingham, WA
Silver: American Harvest Kolsch, American Harvest Brewpub at Schoolcraft College, Livonia, MI
Bronze: NBD Kolsch, Cerberus Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO

Category 53: German-Style Altbier – 41 Entries
Gold: Altitude Alt, Altitude Chophouse and Brewery, Laramie, WY
Silver: Alt Bier, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. – Basecamp, Roseland, VA
Bronze: Altstadt Alt, Altstadt Brewery, Fredericksburg, TX

Category 54: Berliner-Style Weisse – 48 Entries
Gold: Baywindow, 10 Barrel Brewing Co. – Bend, Bend, OR
Silver: Peach Berliner Weisse, Revelation Craft Brewing Co., Rehoboth Beach, DE
Bronze: Raspberry Rickey, Brewery Rex, Fullerton, CA

Category 55: Leipzig-Style Gose or Contemporary Gose – 81 Entries
Gold: Corvus Lingonberry Lime Gose, Ravens Brewing Co., Abbotsford, Canada
Silver: Gose Frambuesa, Casa Bruja Brewing Co., Panama City, Panama
Bronze: Ring Around the Gose, SingleSpeed Brewing Co. – Waterloo Tap Room, Waterloo, IA

Category 56: South German-Style Hefeweizen – 127 Entries
Gold: National Park Hefeweizen, Big Bend Brewing Co., Alpine, TX
Silver: COEDO Shiro, COEDO Brewery, Kawagoe, Japan
Bronze: Hirsch Hefe Weisse, Hirsch-Brauerei Honer, Wurmlingen, Germany

Category 57: German-Style Wheat Ale – 44 Entries
Gold: Saint Arnold Weedwacker, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Silver: Kristallweizen, Brauerei Gold Ochsen, Ulm, Germany
Bronze: Krieger Urweisse, Brauerei Wilhelm Krieger, Landau an der Isar, Germany

Category 58: South German-Style Weizenbock – 42 Entries
Gold: AlpenGlow, Fat Heads Brewery – North Olmsted, North Olmstead, OH
Silver: Schneider Weisse TAP 6 Mein Aventinus, Schneider Weisse G. Schneider & Sohn, Kelheim, Germany
Bronze: Plank Heller Weizenbock, Brauerei Michael Plank, Laaber, Germany

Category 59: Belgian-Style Witbier – 100 Entries
Gold: Camden Gentlemans Wit, Camden Town Brewery, London, United Kingdom
Silver: White Rascal, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Bronze: Hoegaarden White, InBev Belgium, Hoegaarden, Belgium

Category 60: French & Belgian-Style Saison – 87 Entries
Gold: La Finca Miami, The Tank Brewing Co., Miami, FL
Silver: Bord du Lac, Amsterdam Brewing Co., Toronto, Canada
Bronze: Farmhouse, Karl Strauss Brewing Co. – 4S Ranch, San Diego, CA

Category 61: Specialty Saison – 79 Entries
Gold: Frances Farmer, Aslan Brewing Co., Bellingham, WA
Silver: Mannenliefde, Oedipus Brewing, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bronze: Saison Anniversaire, Burning Sky Brewery, Firle, United Kingdom

Category 62: Belgian- and French-Style Ale – 34 Entries
Gold: Biere de Voleur, Horse Thief Hollow, Chicago, IL
Silver: Domaine DuPage, Two Brothers Brewing Co., Warrenville, IL
Bronze: The Roman Wolf, Bastone Brewery, Royal Oak, MI

Category 63: Belgian-Style Pale Ale or Belgian-Style Blonde Ale – 64 Entries
Gold: Vincianne, True North Ale Co., Ipswich, MA
Silver: Gouverneur Blond, Lindeboom Bierbrouwerij, Neer, Netherlands
Bronze: Domestique Belgian Blonde Ale, Rouleur Brewing Co., Carlsbad, CA

Category 64: Belgian-Style Sour Ale – 61 Entries
Gold: Oude Geuze Boon VAT 108, Brouwerij Boon, Lembeek, Belgium
Silver: Lindemans Cuvée René Oude Kriek, Lindemans Brewery, Vlezenbeek, Belgium
Bronze: El Sur, Casa Agria Specialty Ales, Oxnard, CA

Category 65: Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale – 41 Entries
Gold: Oud Bruin, Funkwerks, Fort Collins, CO
Silver: Olly, Free Will Brewing Co., Perkasie, PA
Bronze: Flanders Sour Ale, Rebellion Brewing Co., Regina, Canada

Category 66: Belgian-Style Dubbel or Belgian-Style Quadrupel – 78 Entries
Gold: Abbey Dubbel, Elm City Brewing Co., Keene, NH
Silver: BJ’s Quad, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse – Boulder, Boulder, CO
Bronze: Belgian Quad, 7venth Sun Brewery, Dunedin, FL

Category 67: Belgian-Style Tripel – 100 Entries
Gold: Tripel LeFort, Omer Vander Ghinste, Bellegem, Belgium
Silver: 33 Acres of Euphoria, 33 Acres Brewing Co., Vancouver, Canada
Bronze: Hoegaarden Grand Cru, InBev Belgium, Hoegaarden, Belgium

Category 68: Belgian-Style Pale Strong Ale – 70 Entries
Gold: La Mancina, Birrificio del Forte, Pietrasanta, Italy
Silver: The Cannibal, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Maple Shade, Maple Shade, NJ
Bronze: Julius, InBev Belgium, Hoegaarden, Belgium

Category 69: Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale – 56 Entries
Gold: Hertog Jan Grand Prestige, Hertog Jan, Arcen, Netherlands
Silver: VII Kings Belgian Dark Strong, Blind Owl Brewery, Indianapolis, IN
Bronze: LeFort, Omer Vander Ghinste, Bellegem, Belgium

Category 70: Other Belgian-Style Ale – 49 Entries
Gold: Waels Brut, Cervejaria Waels, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Silver: Soleils Amers Triple Brown Ale, Brasserie des Sources, Saint Amand Les Eaux, France
Bronze: Lux Mundi, Save the World Brewing Co., Marble Falls, TX

Category 71: English-Style Mild Ale – 38 Entries
Gold: Working Class Hero Dark Mild, Riot Brewing Co., Chemainus, Canada
Silver: Saddle Bronc Brown, Black Tooth Brewing Co., Sheridan, WY
Bronze: Black Tusk Ale, Whistler Brewing Co., Whistler, Canada

Category 72: English-Style Summer Ale – 49 Entries
Gold: Beaverton Blonde, Golden Valley Brewery, McMinnville, OR
Silver: Provider, Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN
Bronze: Bruton di Brùton, Brùton, Lucca, Italy

Category 73: Ordinary or Special Bitter – 43 Entries
Gold: DBA (Double Barrel Ale), Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA
Silver: Kirke, Corsaire Microbrasserie, Levis, Canada
Bronze: Encore, Lacons Brewery, Lowestoft, United Kingdom

Category 74: Classic English-Style Pale Ale – 40 Entries
Gold: Valley Isle ESB, Maui Brewing Co., Kihei, HI
Silver: Prickly Pear Pale Ale, Lewis & Clark Brewing Co., Helena, MT
Bronze: Annadel Pale Ale, Third Street Aleworks, Santa Rosa, CA

Category 75: Extra Special Bitter – 70 Entries
Gold: Old Jalopy Pale Ale, Powell Street Craft Brewery, Vancouver, Canada
Silver: Puddlers Row ESB, Conshohocken Brewing Co., Conshohocken, PA
Bronze: Raleigh Pride, Oak & Dagger Public House, Raleigh, NC

Category 76: English-Style India Pale Ale – 46 Entries
Gold: Shanghai’d IPA, Old Town Brewing, Portland, OR
Silver: Breakside Old World IPA, Breakside Brewery & Beer Hall, Portland, OR
Bronze: Orbiter IPA, Ecliptic Brewing, Portland, OR

Category 77: Scottish-Style Ale – 43 Entries
Gold: MacGavins Plaid Monkey, Monkey Paw Brewing, San Diego, CA
Silver: Taildragger Clan-Destine, Saddle Mountain Brewing Co., Goodyear, AZ
Bronze: Maxwell’s Scottish Ale, Rivertowne Brewing Co., Export, PA

Category 78: English-Style Brown Ale – 66 Entries
Gold: Big Ben Brown Ale, Bull & Bush Brewery, Denver, CO
Silver: Shaven Yak, Wichita Brewing Co., Wichita, KS
Bronze: Sweet Josie, Lonerider Brewing Co., Raleigh, NC

Category 79: Brown Porter – 69 Entries
Gold: James Squire ‘Jack of Spades’ Porter, Malt Shovel Brewery, Camperdown, Australia
Silver: FivePine Chocolate Porter, Three Creeks Production, Sisters, OR
Bronze: Ninja Porter, Asheville Brewing Co., Asheville, NC

Category 80: Robust Porter – 132 Entries
Gold: Porter, Jupiter, San Leandro, CA
Silver: Porter, Port City Brewing Co., Alexandria, VA
Bronze: Black Marlin Porter, Ballast Point Brewing Co. – Scripps Ranch, San Diego, CA

Category 81: Sweet Stout or Cream Stout – 73 Entries
Gold: Mo’ Winta Milk Stout, Waconia Brewing Co., Waconia, MN
Silver: Udder Love, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing – Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach, CA
Bronze: Moozie, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH

Category 82: Oatmeal Stout – 74 Entries
Gold: Old 41 Oatmeal Stout, Dry County Brewing Co., Kennesaw, GA
Silver: Stagecoach Stout, Figueroa Mountain Brewing – Westlake Village, Westlake Village, CA
Bronze: North Tower Stout, Earth Rider Brewery, Superior, WI

Category 83: Scotch Ale – 70 Entries
Gold: Scotch Ale Wee Heavy, Microbrasserie Gainsbourg, Gatineau, Canada
Silver: McKay’s Scottish Ale, Three Creeks Brewing Co., Sisters, OR
Bronze: Wee Bit Left, Metazoa Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN

Category 84: British-Style Imperial Stout – 61 Entries
Gold: Laitilan Imperiaali Stout, Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas, Laitila, Finland
Silver: The Russian, 2SP Brewing Co., Aston, PA
Bronze: Kill the Lights, The Tap Beer Co., Bloomington, IN

Category 85: Old Ale or Strong Ale – 47 Entries
Gold: Pilgrim’s Dole, New Holland Brewing Co., Holland, MI
Silver: Heini’s Good Cheer, Roundabout Brewery, Pittsburgh, PA
Bronze: Ninja Pirate Barleywine, Black Lotus Brewing Co., Clawson, MI

Category 86: Barley Wine-Style Ale – 79 Entries
Gold: Shipfaced, Silver Harbor Brewing Co., Saint Joseph, MI
Silver: 10&2, Fifty West Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH
Bronze: Old Bounder, Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, Bellingham, WA

Category 87: Irish-Style Red Ale – 86 Entries
Gold: Bald Irishman, Center of the Universe Brewing Co. – Origin, Ashland, VA
Silver: Samuel Adams Irish Red, Boston Beer Co., Boston, MA
Bronze: Leuven Irish Red Ale, Cervejaria Leuven, Piracicaba, Brazil

Category 88: Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout – 64 Entries
Gold: Draíocht, Galena Brewing Co., Galena, IL
Silver: Slainte, Legion Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC
Bronze: Faricy’s Dry Stout, Arbor Brewing Co. Microbrewery, Ypsilanti, MI

Category 89: Export Stout – 53 Entries
Gold: Big Wall, Strike Brewing Co., San Jose, CA
Silver: Starway Stout, Barrel Mountain Brewing, Battle Ground, WA
Bronze: Nox Arcana, Cerveza Fauna, Mexicali, Mexico

Category 90: Golden or Blonde Ale – 121 Entries
Gold: ‘67 Blonde Ale, Public Coast Brewing Co., Cannon Beach, OR
Silver: Vega, First Magnitude Brewing Co., Gainesville, FL
Bronze: Shinshu Roman Original Ale, REIJIN Brew Co., Suwa, Japan

Category 91: American-Style Pale Ale – 182 Entries
Gold: C-Hops, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA
Silver: Double Nickels, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bronze: Pennyrile Pale Ale, West Sixth Brewing Co., Lexington, KY

Category 92: American-Style Strong Pale Ale – 124 Entries
Gold: Green Battles, Pinthouse Pizza – Burnet, Austin, TX
Silver: Breakside Wanderlust IPA, Breakside Brewery & Taproom, Milwaukie, OR
Bronze: Gore Creek IPA, Vail Brewing Co., Avon, CO

Category 93: American-Style India Pale Ale – 377 Entries
Gold: Revision IPA, Revision Brewing Co., Sparks, NV
Silver: Radiant Beauty, Green Cheek Beer Co., Orange, CA
Bronze: Bailing Room, Pinthouse Pizza – S. Lamar, Austin, TX

Category 94: Imperial India Pale Ale – 196 Entries
Gold: Nobility, Noble Ale Works, Anaheim, CA
Silver: Revision DIPA, Revision Brewing Co., Sparks, NV
Bronze: MadeWest Donlon, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ventura, CA

Category 95: American-Style Amber/Red Ale – 110 Entries
Gold: Ole Prospector, BNS Brewing & Distilling Co., Santee, CA
Silver: Faction Red, Faction Brewing Co., Alameda, CA
Bronze: Truckee River Red, Great Basin Brewing Co. – Sparks, Sparks, NV

Category 96: Double Red Ale – 54 Entries
Gold: Local Shred Red, Alvarado Street Brewery, Salinas, CA
Silver: Born & Raised, No-Li Brewhouse, Spokane, WA
Bronze: Red Nut, BentSpoke Brewing Co., Braddon, Australia

Category 97: Imperial Red Ale – 44 Entries
Gold: Good, Not Great, StormBreaker Brewing, Portland, OR
Silver: Red Rock, Figueroa Mountain Brewing – Arroyo Grande, Arroyo Grande, CA
Bronze: Wreak Havoc, Bootstrap Brewing, Niwot, CO

Category 98: American-Style Brown Ale – 78 Entries
Gold: Cell Block 304, Parkersburg Brewing Co., Parkersburg, WV
Silver: Mr. Dynamite, Mad Chef Craft Brewing, East Petersburg, PA
Bronze: Restraint, Institution Ale Co., Camarillo, CA

Category 99: American-Style Black Ale – 53 Entries
Gold: Bivouac Black IPA, Hutton & Smith Brewing Co., Chattanooga, TN
Silver: Midnight Moonlight, Fat Heads Brewery – Middleburg Heights, Middleburg Heights, OH
Bronze: Hoppa Emeritus, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing – Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

Category 100: American-Style Stout – 55 Entries
Gold: Black Cliffs, Boise Brewing, Boise, ID
Silver: Feeling My Oats, Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom, Travelers Rest, SC
Bronze: Disorder, Barley Brown’s Brew Pub, Baker City, OR

Category 101: American-Style Imperial Stout – 93 Entries
Gold: Cultivating Mass, Cooperage Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA
Silver: Black Walnut Belgian Imperial Stout, Raised Grain Brewing
Bronze: HoliDAVE, Artifex Brewing Co., San Clemente, CA

Brewers Association
The Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade organization founded in 2005 through the merger of the Association of Brewers and the Brewers’ Association of America, represents more than 5,600 U.S. breweries and 45,000 brewery members dedicated to promoting and protecting American craft beer. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, the association provides critical resources—including education, events, research, and advocacy—to support the growth and integrity of independent brewing. It publishes The New Brewer magazine, maintains the definitive seal for independent craft brewers, and organizes marquee events such as the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, the latter often called the “Olympics of Beer.” Through its ongoing efforts, the Brewers Association champions quality, innovation, and community, ensuring small and independent brewers thrive in an evolving global marketplace.

Looking for a Beer Festival? Here are the Top 10 Beer Festivals in America plus a few more – CLICK HERE.

Brewery of the Day: Base Camp Brewing in Portland, Oregon

April 13, 2018 by Austin Foster

Brewery of the Day: Base Camp Brewing by Austin Foster, BeerInfo writer and works at Base Camp Brewing in Portland, Oregon

From the moment I met two of the six co-founders of Base Camp Brewing Company, I knew it was different than most breweries. Krister, Key Accounts Manager and Ross, Marketing Manager, live and breathe the Base Camp lifestyle; carefree, outdoor focused, nature fanatics.

When you walk into Base Camp, you are greeted by one of our taproom employees who are genuinely nice. It’s not just an act. They actually care how you’re doing. You can find regulars at the bar chatting it up and sharing camping photos with one of the beertenders.

Walking by the cooler in the entrance area, you are greeted with images of every employee who works for Base Camp and a short blurb about their life.

The people of Base Camp (BCBC) are authentic, genuine and some of the best people I’ve ever met. I feel so lucky to work where I do. I am happy and excited to come to work. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to be part of a brand culture that is a lifestyle the employees and founders live every day.
Weekly excursions have all of us either, at the beach, on a mountain, at a bouldering gym, riding bicycles, hiking, camping, visiting waterfalls or having a picnic in a park.

Not only do the employees of BCBC live the brand and are the brand, but we give back to fellow outdoor enthusiasts too. Base Camp is proud to have partnered with groups such as The Bicycle Transportation Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, She Jumps, Outdoor Project, Timberline Lodge, US Outdoor Store, Circuit Bouldering Gym, Portland Rock Gym, Oregon Humane Society, and many more great businesses and nonprofits that represent what we believe in. Enriching our community through great beer and the outdoors.

If you’re having a hard time wrapping your brain around the idea that a brewery could be as true to their brand culture as Base Camp, then come on in, kick off your hiking boots and grab a pint with anyone of us sometime. After all, we’re always happiest drinking beer.