Beer

Brewers Association Announces the 2020 GABF Medal Winners

October 18, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

The Brewers Association awarded 272 medal to 240 breweries across the country during the 2020 GABF competition awards ceremony. The best beers in 91 beer categories covering 170 different beer styles were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals during a virtual ceremony hosted on The Brewing Network.

Judges for the 34th edition of the celebrated competition evaluated 8,806 entries from 1,720 breweries from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Socially distanced judging took place in 35 sessions over 18 days with strict safety measures in place.

Category 1: American-Style Wheat Beer
Gold: Whoopty Whoop Wheat, Wild Ride Brewing, Redmond, OR
Silver: Emmer, Lost Worlds Brewing, Cornelius, NC
Bronze: 10 Barrel TWheat, 10 Barrel Brewing Co. – Bend Pub, Bend, OR

Category 2: American-Style Fruit Beer
Gold: Strawberry Zwickelbier, Twin Sisters Brewing Co., Bellingham, WA
Silver: Everything But The Seeds, 1623 Brewing Co., Eldersburg, MD
Bronze: Berry, Berry, Quite Contrary, Territorial Brewing Co., Springfield, MI

Category 3: Fruit Wheat Beer
Gold: Liliko’i Kepolo, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Silver: Grandma’s Favorite Recipe, Silver Harbor Brewing Co., Saint Joseph, MI
Bronze: Afternoon Delight, Storm Peak Brewing Co., Steamboat Springs, CO

Category 4: Field Beer
Gold: Lime Cucumber Gose, Urban South Brewery – New Orleans, New Orleans, LA
Silver: Coconut Bligh’s Barleywine, Dry Dock Brewing Co.- North Dock, Aurora, CO
Bronze: No Rules, Perrin Brewing Co., Comstock Park, MI

Category 5: Pumpkin Beer
Gold: Gordgeous, NoDa Brewing Co. – NE, Charlotte, NC
Silver: 5 Phantoms 2018, Philipsburg Brewing Co., Philipsburg, MT
Bronze: Pumpkin Patch Ale, Rogue Ales & Spirits, Newport, OR

Category 6: Chili Beer
Gold: 325 Pineapple Chili, Hoops Brewing, Duluth, MN
Silver: Poblano Pils, Cervecería Colorado, Denver, CO
Bronze: Hatch Chile Gatos, Fate Brewing Co., Scottsdale, AZ

Category 7: Herb and Spice Beer
Gold: Allergeez, Panther Island Brewing, Fort Worth, TX
Silver: Yerba Buena, Del Cielo Brewing Co., Martinez, CA
Bronze: Powder Run, Living the Dream Brewing Co., Littleton, CO

Category 8: Chocolate Beer
Gold: Weapon of Mash Destruction, Main & Six Brewing Co., Jacksonville, FL
Silver: Old Balltown Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Aged Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Brownie Milk
Stout, PIVO Brewery, Calmar, IA
Bronze: Von Schrag, Mother’s Brewing Co., Springfield, MO

Category 9: Coffee Beer
Gold: Daybreak, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing – Production Operations, Columbus, OH
Silver: Golden Stout, Karl Strauss Brewing Co. – Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Bronze: BJ’s Coffee Blonde, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery – Reno, Reno, NV

Category 10: Coffee Stout or Porter
Gold: Super Tonic, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Silver: The Riizzo, Riip Beer Co., Huntington Beach, CA
Bronze: Venti is Large, Hop Dogma Brewing Co., Half Moon Bay, CA

Category 11: Specialty Beer
Gold: Coco Burrito Porter, Shoe Tree Brewing Co., Carson City, NV
Silver: Cookies & Cream Milk Stout, Waconia Brewing Co., Waconia, MN
Bronze: Cactus Warrior, Toltec Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM

Category 12: Rye Beer
Gold: Crazy Jackass Ale, Great American Restaurants – Sweetwater Tavern, Centreville, VA
Silver: Hugzilla, Gezellig Brewing Co., Newton, IA
Bronze: Chuckanut Rye, Chuckanut Brewery – North Nut, Bellingham, WA

Category 13: Honey Beer
Gold: Honey Please, Armadillo Ale Works, Denton, TX
Silver: Tra La La, Grimm Artisanal Ales, Brooklyn, NY
Bronze: Grid City Honey Cream Ale, Grid City Beer Works, Salt Lake City, UT

Category 14: Session Beer or Non-Alcohol Beer
Gold: Tip the Calf, SingleSpeed Brewing, Waterloo, IA
Silver: Guillaume, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA
Bronze: Straight Drank N/A IPA, Two Roots Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

Category 15: Session India Pale Ale
Gold: Hefty Fee, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Silver: Pedal Pounder, LazyG Brewhouse, Prescott, AZ
Bronze: On Pins & Needles, Institution Ale Co., Camarillo, CA

Category 16: Other Strong Beer
Gold: Rico, Chihuahua Cerveza, Costa Mesa, CA
Silver: Krimson King, Accomplice Beer Co., Cheyenne, WY
Bronze: Hello, Sabro!, Danville Brewing Co., Danville, CA

Category 17: Experimental Beer
Gold: Barrel Aged Coco Piña, Coastal Empire Beer Co., Savannah, GA
Silver: Choco Tuesday, Lone Pine Brewing Co. – Gorham Tasting Room, Gorham, ME
Bronze: Get Artistic, Creature Comforts Brewing Co., Athens, GA

Category 18: Experimental India Pale Ale
Gold: Pepper & Peaches, Claremont Craft Ales, Claremont, CA
Silver: Lazy Tiger, Lamplighter Brewing Co., Cambridge, MA
Bronze: Vladimir Brutin, Cannonball Creek Brewing Co., Golden, CO

Category 19: Historical Beer
Gold: Decorah Nordic Gruit, PIVO Brewery, Calmar, IA
Silver: Seedstock Gratzer, Seedstock Brewery, Denver, CO
Bronze: Fr. Bernard’s Grodziskie, New Magnolia Brewing Co., Houston, TX

Category 20: Gluten-Free Beer
Gold: Aurochs Hazy IPA, Aurochs Brewing Co., Emsworth, PA
Silver: 1808, ALT Brew, Madison, WI

Category 21: American-Belgo-Style Ale
Gold: Tank 7, Boulevard Brewing Co., Kansas City, MO
Silver: Dear You, Ratio Beerworks, Denver, CO
Bronze: Still Single, Light the Lamp Brewery, Grayslake, IL

Category 22: American-Style Sour Ale
Gold: Vice Sans Fruit, Wild Barrel Brewing Co., San Marcos, CA
Silver: Mirage, New Terrain Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Bronze: Sour IPA, New Belgium Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO

Category 23: Fruited American-Style Sour Ale
Gold: Guava Dreams, Del Cielo Brewing Co., Martinez, CA
Silver: Peach Afternoon, Port Brewing Co. / The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA
Bronze: Summer Sun, Stereo Brewing Co., Placentia, CA

Category 24: Brett Beer
Gold: Bottle Conditioned Day Drinker, Lost Forty Brewing, Little Rock, AR
Silver: Touch of Brett, Alesong Brewing & Blending, Eugene, OR
Bronze: Saison de Walt, Flix Brewhouse, Carmel, IN

Category 25: Mixed-Culture Brett Beer
Gold: Wild James, Coldfire Brewing, Eugene, OR
Silver: Déluge, Sanitas Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Bronze: Gathering Red Currants & Peaches, Grimm Artisanal Ales, Brooklyn, NY

Category 26: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold: Afternoon Delight, Sun King Brewery – Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
Silver: Amburana Graham Cracker Porter, Denver Beer Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: B.A.DUNKEL, TAPS Brewery & Barrel Room, Tustin, CA

Category 27: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
Gold: Amburana Dream, Denver Beer Co. – Olde Town Arvada, Arvada, CO
Silver: Bourbon B.A. Big Game, Bravery Brewing, Lancaster, CA
Bronze: Barrel-Aged Full Malted Jacket, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, Long Beach, CA

Category 28: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout
Gold: A Night to End All Dawns, Kane Brewing Co., Ocean, NJ
Silver: Ruckus, Melvin Brewing – Thai Me Up, Jackson, WY
Bronze: Grasp of Oak, Moksa Brewing Co., Rocklin, CA

Category 29: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer
Gold: Cuvee De Funk, Lone Pine Brewing Co., Portland, ME
Silver: Triad Blanc, IMBIB Custom Brews, Reno, NV
Bronze: Freedom 7, True Anomaly Brewing Co., Houston, TX

Category 30: Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer
Gold: The Many Lives of Our Lives, Big aLICe Brewing Co., Long Island City, NY
Silver: Cleft, Little Fish Brewing Co., Athens, OH
Bronze: Cherry Busey, Sun King Brewery – Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Category 31: Kellerbier or Zwickelbier
Gold: Safety Dance, Smartmouth Brewing Co., Norfolk, VA
Silver: Royal Bohemian Pilsner, Earth Rider Brewery, Superior, WI
Bronze: TF Brewing Granary Keller Bier, Templin Family Brewing, Salt Lake City, UT

Category 32: Smoke Beer
Gold: O’Fallon Smoked Porter, O’Fallon Brewery, Maryland Heights, MO
Silver: Holy Smokes!, Santa Maria Brewing Co., Atascadero, CA
Bronze: Buchenrauch, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Columbus, OH

Category 33: American Lager
Gold: Lager at World’s End, Epidemic Ales, Concord, CA
Silver: Seismic Tremor, Seismic Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA
Bronze: Lite Thinking, Pollyanna Brewing Co., Lemont, IL

Category 34: Light Lager
Gold: Wander Litely, Wander Brewing, Bellingham, WA
Silver: Chuckanut Chuck Lite, Chuckanut Brewery – North Nut, Bellingham, WA
Bronze: Pachanga, Sun King Brewery – Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Category 35: American Pilsener
Gold: Beachscape, Ventura Coast Brewing Co., Ventura, CA
Silver: Imagine a World with Beer Cellars Instead of 401ks, Freetail Brewing Co., San Antonio, TX
Bronze: Pilsner, Old Town Brewing, Portland, OR

Category 36: International Pilsener
Gold: Japanese Lager, pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR
Silver: Rioveza, Kern River Brewing Co. – The Backyard, Kernville, CA
Bronze: Little Wing, Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co., Chicago, IL

Category 37: American-Style Cream Ale
Gold: Moonlite, Moontown Brewing Co., Whitestown, IN
Silver: Cerveza, True North Ale Co., Ipswich, MA
Bronze: Let’s Talk About Mex, Cannonball Creek Brewing Co., Golden, CO

Category 38: American Amber Lager
Gold: Volksbier Vienna, Wibby Brewing, Longmont, CO
Silver: Oktoberfest, Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, MI
Bronze: Amber Lager, Skipping Rock Beer Co., Staunton, VA

Category 39: German-Style Pilsener
Gold: Sprockets, Gravely Brewing Co., Louisville, KY
Silver: Prost Pils, Prost Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Pils, Kansas City Bier Co., Kansas City, MO

Category 40: Bohemian-Style Pilsener
Gold: Perle Haggard, Ex Novo Brewing Co., Portland, OR
Silver: Fortune & Glory, Precarious Beer Project – Precarious Beer Hall, Williamsburg, VA
Bronze: Tres Tres, Ocean Beach Brewery, San Diego, CA

Category 41: Munich-Style Helles
Gold: Augenblick Light Lager, Masthead Brewing Co., Cleveland, OH
Silver: Nashville Lager, Nashville Brewing Co., Nashville, TN
Bronze: Helles, Kulshan Brewing Co. – K2, Bellingham, WA

Category 42: Dortmunder or German-Style Oktoberfest
Gold: CounterWeight Fest Bier, Counter Weight Brewing Co., Hamden, CT
Silver: The Prince of DORTness, Quarter Celtic Brewpub, Albuquerque, NM
Bronze: Funfest, Bootlegger’s Brewery, Fullerton, CA

Category 43: Vienna-Style Lager
Gold: RhinO’fest, Lost Rhino Brewing Co., Ashburn, VA
Silver: Vienna Lager, East Rock Brewing Co., New Haven, CT
Bronze: Oktoberfest, Port City Brewing Co., Alexandria, VA

Category 44: German-Style Maerzen
Gold: Amber’s Lager-Amber Lager, Irwin Brewing Co., Crested Butte, CO
Silver: White Rocktoberfest, White Rock Alehouse & Brewery, Dallas, TX
Bronze: Big Grove Oktoberfest, Big Grove Brewery, Iowa City, IA

Category 45: German Dark Lager
Gold: Maximilian, La Reforma, Albuquerque, NM
Silver: Dozer Line, Topa Topa Brewing Co., Ventura, CA
Bronze: Umbeereon, GameCraft Brewing, Laguna Hills, CA

Category 46: International Dark Lager
Gold: Baltic Porter, Skipping Rock Beer Co., Staunton, VA
Silver: Murder Ballads, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, OH
Bronze: Public Enemy Baltic Porter, Dust Bowl Brewing Co., Turlock, CA

Category 47: Bock
Gold: Chuckanut Maibock, Chuckanut Brewery – North Nut, Bellingham, WA
Silver: Maibock, NoDa Brewing Co. – NE, Charlotte, NC
Bronze: Skool House Bock, Moontown Brewing Co., Whitestown, IN

Category 48: German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock
Gold: Agent Provocator, Clandestine Brewing, San Jose, CA
Silver: Duck-Rabbit Duck-Rabbator, Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, Farmville, NC
Bronze: Doppelbock, Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, MN

Category 49: Golden or Blonde Ale
Gold: Carolinian, Columbia Craft Brewing Co., Columbia, SC
Silver: Salty Crew, Coronado Brewing Co., Coronado, CA
Bronze: Sunlight Cream Ale, Sun King Brewery – Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN

Category 50: German-Style Koelsch
Gold: Kolsch, pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR
Silver: Kodiak Kolsch, Bear Chase Brewing Co., Bluemont, VA
Bronze: Kolsch Money, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Framingham, MA

Category 51: English Ale
Gold: Proper Beer, Proper Brewing Co., Salt Lake City, UT
Silver: Summer Lovin’, Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton, VA
Bronze: Uncle Dave’s, Discretion Brewing, Soquel, CA

Category 52: International Pale Ale
Gold: Locals Only, Pizza Port Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA
Silver: Carlsbad Crush, Burgeon Beer Co., Carlsbad, CA
Bronze: Inner Light, Our Mutual Friend Brewing, Denver, CO

Category 53: American-Style Pale Ale
Gold: Featherweight Pale Ale, Cannonball Creek Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Silver: Somewhere Golden, Institution Ale Co., Camarillo, CA
Bronze: Pantsless, Alarmist Brewing, Chicago, IL

Category 54: Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale
Gold: Moon Haze, Blue Moon Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Silver: Hazy L IPA, Bale Breaker Brewing Co., Yakima, WA
Bronze: Mosaic Pale Ale, Random Row Brewing Co., Charlottesville, VA

Category 55: American-Style Strong Pale Ale
Gold: Built For Speed, Grains of Wrath Brewing, Camas, WA
Silver: Superpower IPA, Comrade Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Mai Tai P.A., Alvarado Street Brewery & Tasting Room, Salinas, CA

Category 56: Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale
Gold: Goofy Boots, Penrose Brewing Co., Geneva, IL
Silver: Reuben’s Crush, Reuben’s Brews – The Taproom, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Tight Quarters, Slice Beer Co., Lincoln, CA

Category 57: American-Style India Pale Ale
Gold: IPA, Perry Street Brewing, Spokane, WA
Silver: Updrift India Pale Ale, Pelican Brewing Co. – Tillamook, Tillamook, OR
Bronze: Nothing Noble, Von Ebert Brewing – Pearl, Portland, OR

Category 58: Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale
Gold: Spellbinder, Wren House Brewing Co., Phoenix, AZ
Silver: Yojo, Moonraker Brewing Co., Auburn, CA
Bronze: Wicked Pawesome, Metazoa Brewing Co. – Stringtown Production Facility, Indianapolis, IN

Category 59: Imperial India Pale Ale
Gold: Hammerland DIPA, El Segundo Brewing Co., El Segundo, CA
Silver: Double Cone, Alvarado Street Brewery & Tasting Room, Salinas, CA
Bronze: Freak of Nature Double IPA, Wicked Weed Brewing, Asheville, NC

Category 60: Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale
Gold: The Hopsplainer, Burke-Gilman Brewing Co., Seattle, WA
Silver: Not A Scientist, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Sugar on My Tongue, Highland Park Brewery, Los Angeles, CA

Category 61: American-Style Amber/Red Ale – 110 Entries
Gold: Avalon Amber Ale, Bowigens Beer Co., Casselberry, FL
Silver: Justin’s Easy Going Amber, Zuni Street Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Bronze: Paulie’s Not Irish, Old Town Brewing, Portland, OR

Category 62: Strong Red Ale
Gold: Happy Days, Claremont Craft Ales, Claremont, CA
Silver: Side Hike, Kern River Brewing Co., Kernville, CA
Bronze: Devil’s Path, El Segundo Brewing Co., El Segundo, CA

Category 63: English Mild or Bitter
Gold: Deep Roots, Three Weavers Brewing Co., Inglewood, CA
Silver: English Pale Mild Ale, Wallenpaupack Brewing Co., Hawley, PA
Bronze: MSB (McFleshman’s Special Bitter), McFleshman’s Brewing Co., Appleton, WI

Category 64: Extra Special Bitter
Gold: Wicket Awesome, Eureka Heights Brew Co., Houston, TX
Silver: Extra Special StormBreaker, StormBreaker Brewing, Portland, OR
Bronze: English Sporting Beer, Midwest Coast Brewing Co., Chicago, IL

Category 65: Scottish-Style Ale
Gold: Back Country, Lewis & Clark Brewing Co., Helena, MT
Silver: It Takes a Tribe Red Ale, Goat Patch Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO
Bronze: Taildragger Clan-Destine, Saddle Mountain Brewing Co., Goodyear, AZ

Category 66: Irish-Style Red Ale
Gold: Balefire Irish Red, Mirror Image Brewing Co., Frederick, CO
Silver: Crimson Lass, Quarter Celtic Brewpub, Albuquerque, NM
Bronze: Vixen, Old Bust Head Brewing Co., Vint Hill, VA

Category 67: English-Style Brown Ale –
Gold: Get Up Offa That Brown, Golden Road Brewing, Anaheim, CA
Silver: Bloodhound Brown Ale, Attic Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA
Bronze: Brown Ale, Lowercase Brewing – Production Facility, Seattle, WA

Category 68: American-Style Brown Ale
Gold: Brown Ale, Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe, NM
Silver: Wallops Island, Rocket Frog Brewing Co., Sterling, VA
Bronze: All-American Brown, Auburn Alehouse, Auburn, CA

Category 69: American-Style Black Ale or American-Style Stout
Gold: Wookey Jack, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. – The Propagator, Marina del Rey, CA
Silver: Black the Riipper, Riip Beer Co., Huntington Beach, CA
Bronze: 1979 Stout, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Mills River, Mills River, NC

Category 70: German-Style Sour Ale
Gold: Breakside Gose, Breakside Brewery, Portland, OR
Silver: Slightly Sour, Second Chance Beer Co., San Diego, CA
Bronze: First Steps on a Sour Planet, Aeronaut Brewing Co., Somerville, MA

Category 71: Specialty Berliner-Style Weisse
Gold: Razzle Fo Shazzle, Great Basin Brewing Co. – Reno, Reno, NV
Silver: Glitz & Glam, Eppig Brewing, Vista, CA
Bronze: Plumpricot, Beale’s, Bedford, VA

Category 72: Contemporary Gose
Gold: Cruise to Nowhere, Town Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC
Silver: Haole Punch, Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill, Monterey, CA
Bronze: Steady As She Gose – P.O.G., Big Ugly Brewing, Chesapeake, VA

Category 73: German-Style Altbier
Gold: Howitzer Amber, Red Leg Brewing Co., Colorado Springs, CO
Silver: Control ALT, Devil’s Logic Brewing, Charlotte, NC
Bronze: Altitude Alt, Altitude Chophouse & Brewery, Laramie, WY

Category 74: German-Style Wheat Ale
Gold: Goggle Fogger Hefeweizen, Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon, North Olmsted, OH
Silver: Hefeweizen, Kansas City Bier Co., Kansas City, MO
Bronze: Doc’s Dunkel, Gravely Brewing Co., Louisville, KY

Category 75: Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale
Gold: First To Fall, The Good Society, Seattle, WA
Silver: Crazy Train, Fretboard Brewing Co., Blue Ash, OH
Bronze: III Belgian Blond, Third Window Brewing Co., Santa Barbara, CA

Category 76: Belgian-Style Witbier
Gold: White, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, ME
Silver: Boeman Belgian White, Ogopogo Brewing, San Gabriel, CA
Bronze: Wolk, Lock 27 Brewing, Centerville, OH

Category 77: Classic Saison
Gold: Beyond the Gnome World, Silver Branch Brewing Co., Silver Spring, MD
Silver: Tomorrow’s Verse, Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse, Sacramento, CA
Bronze: Meadowlark, Metazoa Brewing Co. – Taproom, Indianapolis, IN

Category 78: Specialty Saison
Gold: Farmhouse Cuvée, Alesong Brewing & Tasting Room, Eugene, OR
Silver: Seeds of Infinity, Coldfire Brewing, Eugene, OR
Bronze: Obeisance, Von Ebert Brewing – Glendoveer, Portland, OR

Category 79: Belgian-Style Lambic or Sour Ale
Gold: Funk Yeah, Beachwood Blendery, Long Beach, CA
Silver: Peche, Block 15 Brewing Co., Corvallis, OR
Bronze: Cerise Morte, Wicked Weed – Funk House, Arden, NC

Category 80: Belgian-Style Strong Specialty Ale
Gold: Cosmic Sloth, Pinthouse Pizza – South Lamar, Austin, TX
Silver: Qualified, Taxman Brewing Co., Bargersville, IN
Bronze: Hell Camino Belgian Quad, Dos Desperados Brewery, San Diego, CA

Category 81: Belgian-Style Abbey Ale
Gold: Dubbel or Nothing, Monkless Belgian Ales, Bend, OR
Silver: 228 Tripel, Stormcloud Brewing Co., Frankfort, MI
Bronze: Lux Mundi, Save The World Brewing Co., Marble Falls, TX

Category 82: Belgian-Style Specialty Ale
Gold: Tangible Passion, Riip Beer Co., Huntington Beach, CA
Silver: Goin’ Stag, Cabin Boys Brewery, Tulsa, OK
Bronze: Orange Diva, StillFire Brewing, Suwanee, GA

Category 83: Brown Porter
Gold: Brown Claw, Kern River Brewing Co., Kernville, CA
Silver: FivePine Porter, Three Creeks Brewing Co., Sisters, OR
Bronze: Old Normal, Bend Brewing Co., Bend, OR

Category 84: Robust Porter
Gold: Tabula Rasa, Second Chance Beer Co., San Diego, CA
Silver: Porter, Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, MI
Bronze: Thriller Pillar Porter, Bron Yr Aur Brewing Co., Naches, WA

Category 85: Stout
Gold: ODIS, O’Connor Brewing Co., Norfolk, VA
Silver: Void of Light, Gun Hill Brewing Co., Bronx, NY
Bronze: Dry Stout, The Post Brewing Co., Lafayette, CO

Category 86: Sweet Stout or Cream Stout
Gold: Moozie Milk Stout, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH
Silver: Korova Milk Porter, Gnarly Barley Brewing Co., Hammond, LA
Bronze: Irish Prenup, Barley Naked Brewing Co., Stafford, VA

Category 87: Oatmeal Stout
Gold: Settlers’ Oatmeal Stout, Vallensons’ Brewing Co., Pearland, TX
Silver: North Tower Stout, Earth Rider Brewery, Superior, WI
Bronze: Stagecoach Stout, Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co., Buellton, CA

Category 88: Imperial Stout
Gold: The Snow, Community Beer Works, Buffalo, NY
Silver: Doggin Wrench, Five Branches Brewing, Tarpon Springs, FL
Bronze: Stoutacus, Shoe Tree Brewing Co., Carson City, NV

Category 89: Scotch Ale
Gold: No. 17 Scotch Ale, The Freehouse, Minneapolis, MN
Silver: The Bruce, Überbrew, Billings, MT
Bronze: Wee Heavy HINDER, H.H. Hinder Brewing Co., Waupaca, WI

Category 90: Old Ale or Strong Ale or Barley Wine-Style Ale
Gold: Miss Cleo’s Barkleywine, Sanford Brewing Co., Sanford, FL
Silver: Baby Maker, Triple C Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC
Bronze: Waterline Wee Heavy, Waterline Brewing Co., Wilmington, NC

Category 91: Fresh Hop Beer
Gold: Conelick’r, Three Creeks Brewing Co., Sisters, OR
Silver: Fresh Hop Ride the Pine, Belching Beaver Brewery – Tavern & Grill, Vista, CA
Bronze: Fresh Hop Hazealicious, Reuben’s Brews – Production Brewery, Seattle, WA

Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
The Good Society, Seattle, WA
Phil Cammarano & Nick Berger

Mid-Size Brewpub and Mid-Size Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Monkless Belgian Ales, Bend, OR
Todd Clement & Chris Dinsdale

Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Ska Fabricating
The Freehouse, Minneapolis, MN
The Freehouse Team

Very Small Brewing Company and Very Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Brewers Supply Group
Five Branches Brewing, Tarpon Springs, FL
Jerry Brown

Small Brewing Company and Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by ABS Commercial
Big aLICe Brewing Co., Long Island City, NY
Big aLICe Production Team

Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by MicroStar Logistics
Lost Forty Brewing, Little Rock, AR
Lost Forty Brewing Team

Brewery Group and Brewery Group Brewer of the Year
Sponsored by Live Oak Bank
Three Creeks Brewing Co., Sisters, OR
Team Three Creeks

More about the Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), America’s premier celebration of craft beer, continues to showcase the innovation and diversity of U.S. brewing as the nation’s largest ticketed beer festival and most prestigious professional beer competition. Hosted by the Brewers Association, GABF brings together hundreds of independent breweries pouring thousands of unique beers across more than 100 styles, from classic lagers and IPAs to experimental sours and barrel-aged specialties. Founded in 1982, this iconic event highlights the creativity of small and independent brewers while fostering a vibrant community of beer enthusiasts.

Held annually at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, the Great American Beer Festival offers attendees an unparalleled tasting experience complete with live music, themed costume contests, food pairings, and educational sessions. Beyond the festival floor, features like PAIRED® events pairing craft beer with gourmet dishes from acclaimed chefs, along with special areas for distilled spirits and non-alcoholic options, make GABF a must-attend for beer lovers seeking the best in American craft brewing excellence.

Fun Beer Facts, Breweries and More: Click Here

2025 Louisville Beer Week Returning October 18 – October 27

October 18, 2025 by Dustin Scoggins

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – Louisville Beer Week is returning for another year and welcomes the community to help celebrate eight years of Louisville Beer Week and the historic and evolving beer community in Louisville, KY. This year, Louisville Beer Week will run from Saturday, October 18 through Sunday, October 28, including an inaugural Louisville Beer Fest kick-off event at the German-American Club.

Louisville Beer Week 2025 will once again feature beer collaborations, panel discussions, and multiple citywide events put on by nearly twenty-five brewery taprooms.

From the 2022 Louisville Beer Week
“For the last five years we’ve been asked to host a beer festival during Louisville Beer Week,” said Louisville Beer Week organizers. “Our 5th anniversary seems like a good time to do it. We’re thankful that we’re able to host it with our friends at The German-American Club. We’re also hosting a couple of great panels that feature some friends in the spirits industry in addition to partnering with the Pink Boots Society to put on our annual Women in Beer Panel. Of course, we’re excited to see the return of brewery collaboration releases and other fun events citywide all week long.”

Participating Louisville breweries this year include 3rd Turn Brewing, Against the Grain Brewery, Akasha Brewing Co., Apocalypse Brew Works, Atrium Brewing, Bluegrass Brewing Co., Butchertown Brewing, Chimera Brewing Co, Falls City Beer Co., Gallant Fox Brewing, Gordon Biersch, Goodwood Brewing, Gravely Brewing, Hi-Wire Louisville, Holsopple Brewing, Hometown Brewing Co., Mile Wide Beer Co., Monnik Beer Co., Noble Funk Brewing Co., Old Louisville Brewing, Shippingport Brewing, Ten20 Craft Brewery, West Sixth Nulu, and Wild Hops Brewery.

“The team at Noble Funk is excited to participate in our first Louisville Beer Week,” said Dominique Shrader, Noble Funk Brewing co-founder. “We are grateful to be a part of this supportive and talented brewing community and always enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with other local breweries. It was awesome to get to work with Mile Wide Beer Co. this year for the annual collaboration series and we look forward to sharing that release and getting to try the creations of the other brewery participants.”

About Louisville Ale Trail
Nestled in the bourbon-barreled heart of Derby City, the Louisville Ale Trail beckons hopheads and newcomers alike on a self-guided ramble through over 20 vibrant brewery taprooms, where a simple passport unlocks a world of craft alchemy—from Monnik Beer Co.’s crisp kolschs kissed by German heritage to Apocalypse Brew Works’ hazy IPAs bursting with tropical mischief, all while weaving tales of Louisville’s pre-Prohibition brewing legacy that once outshone even the mint julep at the Kentucky Derby. Launched to spotlight the city’s sudsy soul, this interactive trail—complete with a revamped digital map and stamp-collecting passport stuffed with swag like exclusive glassware and discounts—spirals from Butchertown’s industrial haunts to the Highlands’ neon glow, fueling events like the annual 502 Beer Appreciation Day and Louisville Beer Week’s frothy frenzy. Whether you’re nursing a barrel-aged stout at Against the Grain or chasing a farmhouse saison at Mile Wide, the Ale Trail isn’t just a tour—it’s a pint-sized passport to community, flavor, and that unbridled Bluegrass buzz that turns every corner into a cheers-worthy discovery.The Louisville Ale Trail, a hoppy odyssey through Derby City’s thriving craft beer landscape, beckons locals and visitors to grab a free passport and chase stamps at over two dozen taprooms, from Against the Grain’s bold IPAs to Monnik’s crisp kolschs, turning every pint into a treasure hunt for exclusive swag like t-shirts and growlers upon hitting 10+ check-ins. Launched to spotlight Louisville’s fermenting flair—boasting gems like Atrium Brewing’s hazy hazies and Falls City’s historic revivals—this self-guided trail fuels city-wide tourism with brewery crawls, pairing dinners, and ties to annual Louisville Beer Week in October, where special collabs and events amplify the Bluegrass buzz. Whether you’re savoring a tart sour at Gravely Brewing under string lights or toasting a robust stout at Apocalypse Brew Works, the Ale Trail pours out an interactive map to Kentucky’s craft heart, blending sustainability vibes—like spent-grain farm feeds—with community cheers that make every stop a sip of Southern hospitality

For More Information:
https://www.louisvillealetrail.com

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National Barrel Aged Beer Day – October 3, 2025

October 17, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

The return of Barrel Aged Beer Day is October 3, 2025! For this global holiday, we honor the people, passion and time invested in creating beautiful, barrel-aged beers.

The first Friday of October is Barrel Aged Beer Day. Brewers and beer drinkers should celebrate with colleagues and customers alike. A tap takeover featuring beers that have been in contact with wood, an educational panel about the processes involved and special bottle releases are all great ways to give a nod to the art form.

2025 U.S, Open Beer Championship Barrel Aged Medal Winners

Barrel-Aged Dark Beer
Gold: Plaid Habit – Boulevard Brewing Company – Missouri
Silver: Buffal-Oak Stout – Full Fledged Brewing Co. – Iowa

Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
Gold: Royal Oil – Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado
Silver: The Brawler – Northern Row – Ohio
Bronze: Perpetual Peace – No Label Brewing Co – Texas

Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter
Gold: GSO Barrel Select Stout 2024 – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina
Silver: 3 year Barrel Aged Family Reserve Sleepy Bear – Werk Force Brewing – Illinois
Bronze: Eclipse – Frey Ranch – FiftyFifty Brewing Co. – California

Barrel-Aged Strong/Porter Extreme (12.5%+)
Gold: Assassin – Toppling Goliath Brewing Company – Iowa
Silver: Sir Blends A-Lot #5 – Mikerphone Brewing- Illinois
Bronze: Barrel God Cuvée – 2025 Blend Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
Bronze: Rye Barrel Aged Night Whale 2023 – Rhinegeist Brewery – Ohio

Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Specialty
Gold: Maple Grenade – Silver Harbor Brewing – Michigan
Silver: BA Pumpkinhead – Pontoon Brewing – Georgia
Bronze: Ammo Can: Lima One – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina

Barrel-Aged Breakfast Stout
Gold: Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout – Toppling Goliath Brewing Company – Iowa
Silver: Blackout Brunch – Turning Point Beer – Texas
Bronze: Brunch with Santa – Low Tide Brewing – South Carolina

Barrel-Aged Fruited Sour Beer
Gold: Daydreamer – Vista Brewing – Texas
Silver: The Virtue of Patience – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Angels in the Architecture – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Black Angel – Wicked Weed Brewing – North Carolina

Wood/Barrel-Aged Fruit Beer
Gold: How Sweet It Is – Cherry Street Brewing at Halcyon – Georgia
Silver: Huckleberry Hounds – Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado
Bronze: Barrel Aged Skooma – Fabled Brew Works – Kentucky

Wood/Barrel-Aged Strong Scotch Ale
Gold: Old Chungus – Confluence Brewing Company – Iowa
Silver: Diddy Muckle – Sun King Brewery – Indiana
Bronze: Get in My Belly – Cherry Street Brewing at Halcyon – Georgia

Barrel-Aged Barley Wine
Gold: Barrel Aged Matters of Importance – Narrow Path Brewing Company – Ohio
Silver: 12.12.12 2024 – Cherry Street Brewing at Vickery Village – Georgia
Bronze: Kelly’s Private Stash – Third Eye Brewing Company (Hamilton) – Ohio

Barrel-Aged Quad/Belgian Dark Ale
Gold: To Be Loved By You – Cherry Street Brewing at Halcyon – Georgia
Silver: Muese Valley – More Brewing Company- Illinois
Bronze: Barrel Reserve 2025 – River North Brewery – Colorado

Blended Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold: In the Black – Taxman Brewing Company – Indiana
Silver: Nullification – Woodland Farm Brewery – New York
Bronze: 5th Anniversary Blend – Third Eye Brewing Company (Hamilton) – Ohio

Rum Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold: Soul Shakedown Party – Sun King Brewery – Indiana
Silver: Big Hands I Know Your The One – Unrefined Brewing – Florida
Bronze: Ghoul Fuel: The Rum Diaries – Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado

Spirits Barrel-Aged Beer (Non-Whiskey)
Gold: Shadow King Maple Cognac – Monday Night Brewing – Georgia
Silver: The Path – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Double Oaked Cognac Grow Old With You – Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project – Colorado

Wine Barrel-Aged Beer
Gold: Port Barrel Qualified – Taxman Brewing Company – Indiana
Silver: Heaviest Snuggz – Forbidden Root Columbus – Ohio
Bronze: Shadow King Syrah – Monday Night Brewing – Georgia

Barrel-Aged German Lager
Gold: BA New Old Stock – Bissell Brothers – Maine
Silver: BA Doppelbock 2024 – Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
Bronze: Bourbon Barrel Aged Toasted Pecan Dopplebock – Saddle Mountain Brewing Company – Arizona
Bronze: Wild Dreams: Chapter 2 – Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery – Texas

For Fun Beer Facts, Trivia and more: Click Here

101 Beer Jokes to Crack Open a Laugh

October 13, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

101 Beer Jokes to Crack Open a Laugh

Raise a glass and get ready to chuckle with our ultimate list of 101 beer jokes! Whether you’re a craft beer nerd, a lager loyalist, or just love a good pun, these funny beer puns and brewery humor quips will have you hopping with laughter. From IPA-inspired zingers to stout-hearted one-liners, we’ve brewed up a batch of original gags perfect for sharing at the bar or on National Craft Beer Day. So, grab a cold one, settle in, and let’s tap into the fun—no designated driver required for these laughs!

Beer Jokes

Why did the beer go to therapy? It had too many “deep-rooted” hops issues!
What’s a beer’s favorite workout? The keg lift!
Why don’t beers ever fight? They just settle it over a pint.
How do you know a beer is shy? It’s always hiding behind the foam.
What did the IPA say to the lager? “You’re too pale for my taste!”
Why was the beer can embarrassed? It got caught chilling in the fridge.
What’s a brewer’s favorite dance? The hop-and-skip!
Why did the stout refuse to date? It was too dark and brooding.
How do beers flirt? They give a foamy wink.
Why did the beer join a band? It had the best “pitcher”!
What’s a beer’s favorite holiday? National Beer Can Appreciation Day, of course!
Why was the ale so confident? It knew it was well-brewed.
What did the bartender say to the overconfident beer? “Don’t get too hoppy!”
Why don’t beers use dating apps? They prefer to meet at the tap.
What’s a beer’s favorite book? The Great Gats-beer.
Why did the beer fail at stand-up? Its jokes were too flat.
How do you cheer up a sad beer? Give it a little headspace.
What’s a beer’s dream job? A professional chiller.
Why did the porter go to school? To improve its “body” of knowledge.
What did the beer say to the glass? “You complete me.”
Why was the brewery so cool? It had the best fans—ceiling and human!
What’s a beer’s favorite sport? Keg-tossing.
Why don’t beers ever lie? They’re always transparent in the glass.
How do beers stay in touch? They send bottle messages.
Why did the beer blush at the bar? It overheard some “steamy” brewing talk.
What’s a brewer’s favorite instrument? The barley-cello.
Why did the IPA get kicked out of the party? It was too bitter.
What did the beer say to the wine? “You’re too grapey for this crowd.”
Why do beers love summer? They get to chill by the pool.
What’s a beer’s favorite movie? Brewed Awakening.
Why was the lager so calm? It was brewed with deCAF!
How do beers travel? In a six-pack road trip.
Why did the beer go to therapy? It couldn’t handle the pressure of being canned.
What’s a beer’s favorite game? Truth or Dare—you always pick pour!
Why don’t beers ever retire? They love staying in circulation.
What did the stout say to the pilsner? “You’re looking a little light.”
Why was the beer can so fit? It did daily crunches in the pack.
How do you know a beer is fancy? It demands a frosted glass.
Why did the ale join a choir? It had a rich, malty voice.
What’s a brewer’s favorite weather? A frosty forecast.
Why don’t beers ever argue? They just foam over differences.
What did the beer say at the gym? “Time to work on my hops!”
Why was the brewery so loud? Too many beers were fermenting!
How do beers stay motivated? They keep their spirits high.
Why did the beer refuse to share? It was a little too hoppy.
What’s a beer’s favorite dessert? A frothy float.
Why did the IPA go to art school? It loved bold strokes.
What did the bartender say to the impatient beer? “Hold your head, I’m pouring!”
Why don’t beers play chess? They’d drink the knight away.
What’s a beer’s favorite song? “Sweet Caroline”—it’s a bar classic!
Why was the stout so wise? It had years of barrel-aging.
How do beers celebrate? With a toast and a clink!
Why did the beer can go to therapy? It felt too “boxed in.”
What’s a brewer’s favorite flower? Hops, naturally!
Why did the lager get promoted? It was always cool under pressure.
What did the beer say to the soda? “You’re too bubbly for me.”
Why don’t beers ever get lost? They follow the tap lines.
What’s a beer’s favorite vacation spot? The Brew-hamas.
Why was the ale so popular? It had a lot of “character.”
How do beers apologize? With a frothy “I’m sorry.”
Why did the beer join a book club? It wanted to discuss Malt and Prejudice.
What’s a brewer’s favorite animal? A hoppy kangaroo.
Why did the IPA refuse to chill? It liked being a little bitter.
What did the beer say to the fridge? “You’re my coolest friend.”
Why don’t beers ever gossip? They keep things bottled up.
What’s a beer’s favorite hobby? Can collecting, obviously!
Why was the brewery so romantic? It was full of steamy brews.
How do beers stay organized? They stick to the six-pack plan.
Why did the stout go to therapy? It had an identity crisis with porter.
What’s a beer’s favorite joke? Anything with a good punchline!
Why did the beer can go to school? To improve its “can-fidence.”
How do beers make friends? They bond over a cold one.
Why was the lager so chill? It was brewed with zen.
What did the beer say to the tap? “You’re my lifeline.”
Why don’t beers ever panic? They just take a deep sip.
What’s a brewer’s favorite board game? Risk—because brewing’s a gamble!
Why did the IPA get a tattoo? To show off its bold side.
What did the beer say at the party? “I’m here to liven things up!”
Why was the ale so artsy? It loved painting with malt.
How do beers stay fit? They do keg curls.
Why did the beer can blush? It was caught in a steamy bar scene.
What’s a beer’s favorite TV show? Breaking Brew.
Why don’t beers ever quit? They’re too hopped up to stop.
What did the stout say to the IPA? “You’re too hoppy for your own good.”
Why was the brewery so eco-friendly? It recycled every can!
How do beers say goodbye? “Catch you on the next pour!”
Why did the lager go to yoga? To find its inner fizz.
What’s a beer’s favorite dance move? The frothy twirl.
Why was the ale so talkative? It was full of malt-itude.
How do beers handle stress? They just ferment it out.
Why did the beer can go to the gym? To get a little “canned.”
What’s a brewer’s favorite season? Fall—for the harvest ales!
Why don’t beers ever oversleep? They’re always up with the yeast.
What did the beer say to the bartender? “Make it quick, I’m losing my head!”
Why was the IPA so adventurous? It loved exploring new hops.
How do beers stay trendy? They follow the craft craze.
Why did the stout join a book club? It loved dark, complex stories.
What’s a beer’s favorite car? A Brew-ick.
Why don’t beers ever get bored? They’re always fermenting new ideas.
What did the beer say to the glass? “Let’s make some bubbles!”
Why do beers make the best friends? They’re always down for a pour!

Here’s more!
102. Why do they never serve beer at math parties? Because you can’t drink and derive!

103. What did the man with a slab of asphalt under his arm order at the bar? “A beer, please—and one for the road.”

104. A skeleton walks into a bar and orders a beer… and a mop.

105. Beer doesn’t make you fat—it makes you lean (against tables, chairs, walls, and random strangers).

106. Some people see the glass half empty, others see it half full—I just wonder who’s been drinking my beer!

Beer Quotes – A collection of famous beer quotes

Von Ebert + Shred Beer = Super Shredder

October 3, 2025 by Spencer Mapes

PORTLAND, Oregon — Von Ebert Brewing releases its collaboration “Super Shredder”, a West Coast IPA brewed with Shred Beer Co. from Rocklin, California.

“Shred Beer Co. is small but mighty, making a great name for themselves by winning Great American Beer Festival’s small brewery of the year and collecting several World Beer Cup Gold medals for their IPAs,” said Sam Pecoraro, brewmaster of Von Ebert Brewing. “Last year, we had so much fun working with Amy and Zack on ‘Concentrated Substance,’ a spinoff of ‘Volatile Substance NW IPA,’ that we wanted to build off that project and continue to bounce ideas off close friends.”

Throughout October, “Super Shredder” WC IPA will be available on draft at all Von Ebert Brewing locations as well as in 4-pack 16-ounce cans to-go and in West Coast bars, bottleshops and grocery stores.

“Von Ebert Brewing’s commitment to constantly evolving while honoring tradition makes for a fun collaborative experience with friends where nothing is sacred if it means delivering the best beer possible,” said Zack Frasher and Amy Heller, co-owners and brewers of Shred Beer Co. “In the ‘Super Shredder’ West Coast IPA, we used five types of hops to give tasting notes of diesel, dank, raspberry and passionfruit on this 7.5% ABV beer.”

In 2025, Von Ebert Brewing will have made six collaboration beers with breweries in Oregon, California and the last one will be with Cloudburst Brewing in Seattle, Washington scheduled for December.

Von Ebert Brewing recently opened its new N. Mississippi location (825 N. Cook St., Portland) – home to Portland’s largest beer can – to expand production and distribution from 4,000 barrels per year to as much as 20,000 barrels per year. This has allowed Von Ebert Brewing to sell more of its offerings in 12-ounce cans including: Volatile Substance NW IPA, Sector 7 Hazy IPA, Pils a German-style Pilsner and Clubhaus Lager.

Von Ebert Brewing was founded in 2018 by Tom M. Cook and Tom S. Cook in Portland, Oregon. Von Ebert Brewing is named after the family matriarch lovingly refer to as “Grandma Ebert.” The quintessential immigrant story, Grandma Ebert came to America from Germany via Ellis Island and relied on her grit and determination to create a successful life for her family here in the states. In that vein, the brewery has displayed those same traits and gained success through numerous World Beer Cup medals: 2025 Gold American Light Lager with Clubhaus, 2023 Gold German-Style Pilsner with Pils and 2024 Bronze Vienna Lager. Our moniker celebrates Grandma’s tenacity and honors our heritage. Von Ebert translates loosely to “House of Ebert” or in full English, “House of the Boar.”

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

National Pancake Day – Drink a Renegade Pancakes Maple Porter

September 26, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Renegade Pancakes Maple Porter is dark and roasty and is uniquely balanced with the flavor and aroma of maple syrup without any of the sweetness. The unmistakable maple hits the nose right off the bat, with the smokiness of a traditional porter hitting your palate to create a balanced and dry experience. Perfect for an after snow day warm up or a mid-summer camping adventure.

Pairing:
Mole, vanilla, roasted squash, pulled pork, breakfast, bourbon and good friends.

Malt: 2-ROW, C55, BISCUIT, ROASTED BARLEY, CHOCOLATE

Hops: MT. HOOD, FRAGGLE

RENEGADE BREWING CO
720.401.4089
925 W 9TH AVE
Denver, Colorado, 80204
Website: renegadebrewing.com

NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY
The table is set, the batter is mixed, the griddle is hot, and the butter and syrup are ready. This means you are prepared for National Pancake Day. This food holiday is observed each year on September 26.

You may not have time to make a pancake breakfast, but that is okay, pancakes make a great dinner as well. Pancakes can be served at any time and with a variety of toppings or fillings from sweet jams and syrups to savory meats and sauces.

There is archaeological evidence suggesting pancakes are probably the earliest and most widespread breakfast food eaten in prehistoric societies.

HOW TO OBSERVE
To celebrate National Pancake Day, enjoy one of the following pancake recipes:

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes
Banana and Pecan Pancakes with Maple Butter
Applesauce Pancakes
Buttermilk Pancakes
Pumpkin Pancakes

HISTORY
National Pancake Day’s humble beginnings in 2005, originally started as Lumberjack Day. Marianne Ways and Collen AF Venable sought an excuse to eat pancakes and waffles with friends and as it was one week after “Talk Like a Pirate Day” and that theme had been worn out, eating lots of pancakes like a lumberjack seemed a better holiday than ever.

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

What beer are you drinking to celebrate Fat Bear Week

September 23, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

Fat Bear Week, an annual celebration hosted by Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, transforms the primal act of brown bears bulking up for hibernation into a global online spectacle. Each October, fans worldwide vote in a bracket-style tournament to crown the chubbiest bear, using live webcams and before-and-after photos to marvel at their salmon-fueled transformations. Launched in 2014 as “Fat Bear Tuesday” by ranger Mike Fitz, it has grown into a week-long event, drawing over a million votes in 2024 and spotlighting conservation issues like salmon run preservation. More than a quirky contest, Fat Bear Week celebrates survival, showcasing bears like two-time champ Grazer, who embody nature’s awe-inspiring resilience. Katmai Conservancy and Fat Bear Week Website

Sipping in Solidarity: Beers to Pair with Fat Bear Week
Fat Bear Week isn’t just about voting for the chunkiest grizzlies at Alaska’s Katmai National Park—it’s a call to celebrate survival through epic bulking. And what better way to toast those salmon-stuffed bears than with a beer that matches their vibe: rich, hearty, and unapologetically full-bodied? Skip the light lagers; we’re talking brews that evoke the wild Alaskan frontier, the thrill of the Brooks River, or just the joy of getting comfortably plump. Here’s an updated lineup of recommendations to crack open while you fill out your bracket (voting runs September 23–30, 2025, at fatbearweek.org). I’ve added a spot-on Alaskan gem requested by a fan: Midnight Sun Brewing’s Kodiak Brown Ale, with its iconic Kodiak brown bear on the can—perfect thematic symmetry for our rotund heroes.

1) Russian Imperial Stout (The Bear’s Winter Bulk-Up Brew)
Why it fits: These dark, roasty heavyweights are like the bears themselves—massive, malty, and built for hibernation. With notes of chocolate, coffee, and a boozy warmth (often 8–12% ABV), they’re perfect for curling up with the live cams on Explore.org as Chunk or Grazer defends their title.
Top Pick: North Coast Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout. At around $4–6 per 12-oz bottle, it’s a Katmai classic: bold enough to honor the bears’ 1,000-pound gains, but smooth for marathon viewing sessions.
Pro Tip: Pair with a cheese board to channel that “Fat Bear Training Regimen” from X users—beer, cheese, nap, repeat.

2) Midnight Sun Brewing Co. Kodiak Brown Ale (The Thematic Kodiak King)
Why it fits: Named after Alaska’s legendary Kodiak brown bears (the very species bulking up at Katmai), this rugged American brown ale channels the event’s wild essence. With balanced caramel and roasted malts, subtle Northwest hops (Perle and Willamette), and fruity undertones of grape and apple, it’s smooth yet adventurous—like a bear flipping salmon without the splash. At 5.3% ABV, it’s sessionable for all-day voting, and the can’s fierce Kodiak bear artwork makes it an instant conversation starter (or bracket mascot).
Top Pick: Midnight Sun Kodiak Brown Ale ($2–4 per 12-oz can). A top seller since 1995 from Anchorage’s Midnight Sun Brewing Co., it’s widely available in Alaska and beyond—proof that Alaskans aren’t afraid of the dark (or a good malt-forward pour).
Pro Tip: Crack one open during the cub bracket reveal; its nutty, roasty finish pairs perfectly with trail mix, evoking the bears’ pre-hibernation feast.

3) Alaska Brewing Co. Alaskan Amber (The Local Legend)
Why it fits: Brewed in Juneau, this malty red ale nods to Alaska’s rugged spirit and the salmon runs fueling the bears. It’s balanced with caramel sweetness and a hoppy edge, evoking the crisp fall air at Brooks Falls without overwhelming your palate.
Top Pick: Alaskan Amber Ale ($2–3 per bottle). Affordable, widely available, and a subtle tie-in to the state’s brewing scene—imagine toasting to the ecosystem that keeps those sockeye swimming.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling festive, hunt for seasonal releases; Alaska breweries often riff on wildlife themes during fall.

4) Belgian Tripel or Quad (The Bracket-Busting Indulgence)
Why it fits: Golden and complex, these abbey-style ales are effervescent celebrations of abundance, much like the bears flipping salmon mid-air. High ABV (7–11%) means one glass packs a punch, mirroring a dominant male bear’s tournament run.
Top Pick: Chimay Blue (Quadrupel) or Westmalle Tripel ($5–8 per bottle). The fruity esters and spicy yeast cut through any post-vote hype, and they’re great for sharing at a virtual watch party.
Pro Tip: Go for a “Fat Beer Week” twist—inspired by a podcast episode riffing on the event—by aging a quad for deeper flavors, just like bears layering on blubber.

5) Hazy IPA (The Underdog Cub’s Wild Card)
Why it fits: Juicy and forgiving, hazy IPAs burst with tropical notes, capturing the playful energy of Fat Bear Jr. contenders. They’re sessionable yet satisfying, ideal for late-night bracket predictions without the crash.
Top Pick: Tree House Julius ($6–7 per can). Cloudy like a foggy Alaskan morning, with massive mango and passionfruit vibes to keep the party going through the finals.
Pro Tip: For a thematic hack, seek out “Bear”-named IPAs like Russian River’s Pliny the Elder (a double IPA) or New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber—easy crowd-pleasers that nod to the event’s body-positivity roots.

No matter your pick, drink responsibly—bears don’t hibernate with regrets, and neither should you. These beers turn passive scrolling into an immersive ritual, raising a glass to resilience and rotundity. What’s your go-to? Vote for your fave bear, sip accordingly, and may the chubbiest contender win.

The Plump Legacy: A History of Fat Bear Week
In the wild expanse of Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, where the Brooks River teems with sockeye salmon, an unlikely annual spectacle has captured hearts worldwide. Fat Bear Week isn’t just a quirky online tournament—it’s a celebration of survival, resilience, and the sheer audacity of nature’s engineering. Each fall, as brown bears bulk up for the brutal winter ahead, millions tune in to vote for the chubbiest contender. But how did this rotund rivalry begin? Let’s trace the fattening footsteps from its humble origins to its status as a global phenomenon. Website and

The Salmon-Fueled Spark: Origins in 2014
Fat Bear Week traces its roots to 2014, when it debuted as the more modest “Fat Bear Tuesday.” The mastermind behind this ursine extravaganza was Mike Fitz, a former interpretive ranger at Katmai National Park. Fitz noticed something remarkable: the park’s live webcams, streaming bears feasting on salmon at Brooks Falls, were drawing unprecedented online attention. These weren’t just casual viewers; people were hooked on the drama of grizzlies defending their fishing spots, flipping salmon mid-air, and—most importantly—packing on pounds.

Inspired by this digital devotion, Fitz proposed a simple contest. Park visitors would pore over before-and-after photos of select bears: scrawny spring arrivals versus autumnal behemoths swollen with success. Using a single-elimination bracket, participants voted for the bear that best embodied “fatness and success.” It was a nod to March Madness, but with claws, fur, and zero timeouts. The inaugural event, held in October 2014, was a hit, proving that even in the age of cat videos, a good bear belly could go viral.

From Tuesday to Tournament: Expansion and Evolution
By 2015, the event had outgrown its one-day format. Renamed Fat Bear Week, it stretched to a full seven days of bracket battles, hosted entirely online through partnerships with Explore.org and the National Park Service (NPS). This shift democratized participation—no park visit required. Suddenly, anyone with an internet connection could champion their favorite from afar, turning a remote Alaskan river into a virtual arena.

The tournament’s structure refined over time. Rangers select 12 adult bears (and later, cubs) based on criteria like clear before-and-after photos, frequent webcam appearances, and a mix of ages and genders. Head-to-head matchups pit fattest foes against each other, with public votes deciding who advances. The winner, crowned on the final day, becomes the Fat Bear Week champion—a title that signifies not just girth, but survival prowess. After all, these bears must amass enough blubber to endure five to seven months of hibernation, losing up to a third of their body weight without a single snack.
A milestone came in 2021 with the introduction of Fat Bear Junior, a cub-only bracket held a week earlier. This pint-sized parallel celebrates the next generation, highlighting family dynamics and the bears’ hierarchical society. It’s a reminder that in Katmai, fat isn’t frivolous—it’s essential.

Furry Fanfare: Memorable Moments and Viral Victors
Over the years, Fat Bear Week has spawned legends. In 2019, 435 Holly—a sassy sow known for her bold personality—claimed victory after a nail-biter against the massive 747, a bear whose belly reportedly measured three feet wide. 747 himself dominated in 2022, earning the nickname “Chunk” for his prodigious paunch.

But triumph has been bittersweet. The 2023 bracket reveal was postponed after a fatal clash between two bears, underscoring the raw wildness beneath the whimsy. And in 2024, Grazer, a resilient female and two-time champ (back-to-back with 2023), defended her title amid record-breaking viewership. These stories humanize the bears, transforming anonymous numbers (each bear is tagged with an ID like 480 or 151) into personalities: the underdog scrapper, the dominant dad, the clever fisher.
The event’s cultural ripple extends beyond brackets. It has inspired memes, merchandise, and even body-positivity campaigns. “Fat Bear Week is about celebrating success,” says NPS Superintendent Mark Sturm. “These bears remind us that in nature, bigger can be better—for survival.”

Why Bears Bulk Up: The Science of Salmon and Slumber
At its core, Fat Bear Week spotlights a biological imperative. Katmai’s Brooks River hosts one of the world’s largest sockeye salmon runs—millions of fish surging upstream to spawn. Bears exploit this bounty, consuming up to 30 salmon a day in peak season, prioritizing high-fat brains and eggs. A single bear might gain 30% of its body weight in summer, ballooning from 500 pounds to over 1,000.

This isn’t gluttony; it’s strategy. During hibernation, bears’ heart rates drop to eight beats per minute, and they recycle urea to build muscle and bone. A well-fed bear emerges in spring ready to breed and forage anew. By highlighting this, Fat Bear Week underscores threats like climate change and habitat loss, which could disrupt salmon runs and doom the bears’ buffet.

Global Impact: From Clicks to Conservation
What began as a ranger’s whim has ballooned into a movement. In 2024 alone, over a million votes poured in from 100 countries, with live cams on Explore.org racking up billions of views since 2014. Partnerships with the Katmai Conservancy and NPS channel enthusiasm into action: donations fund bear monitoring, trail maintenance, and advocacy for Bristol Bay’s intact ecosystem.
As 2025’s edition kicks off on September 23—mere hours from now—the stage is set for another showdown. Will Grazer make it a three-peat? Or will a newcomer steal the spotlight? One thing’s certain: Fat Bear Week endures because it taps into our primal awe of the wild. In a world of fleeting trends, these fattening felines remind us to root for the underbelly of nature’s grand design.
To join the fray, head to fatbearweek.org. Vote wisely—your click could crown the next legend of the Brooks. After all, in the kingdom of Katmai, the fattest bear isn’t just the winner; it’s the one most likely to roar into spring.

Thesaurus yesterday and today for the word, Beer

September 22, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

In the first edition of Peter Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases (1852), words are organized by conceptual classes rather than alphabetically. “Beer” appears under Class V (Formation of Ideas), Division 2 (Space in general), Section 1 (Inorganic matter), Subsection 2 (Liquids), numbered 333. “Liquids,” specifically under the sub-subsection for intoxicating liquors.

The entry lists the following synonyms and related phrases for “beer” (presented as a noun in the list of specific examples of alcoholic beverages):
Ale, Porter, Stout, Heavy wet, Swipes, Small beer, Table-beer, Bitter beer, Munich beer, and Lager beer.

Below is a list of the top 50 synonyms for “beer” in modern English usage as of September 16, 2025. These synonyms include specific beer styles, colloquial and slang terms, and general descriptors commonly found in thesauruses, linguistic resources, and contemporary contexts. The list is comprehensive, covering both formal and informal terms used in English-speaking regions, presented in no particular order:

Ale
Lager
Brew
Stout
Porter
Draft
Pilsner
Suds
Malt
Brewski
Hops
Amber
IPA (India Pale Ale)
Bock
Wheat
Craft
Pale
Brown
Blonde
Saison
Cold one
Pint
Stein
Bitter
Lager-beer
Gose
Hefeweizen
Kölsch
Schwarzbier
Barleywine
Shandy
Radler
Cream ale
Steam beer
Dunkel
Weissbier
Tripel
Quad
Lambic
Alehouse
Brewage
Swill
Sip
Tipple
Bevvie
Froth
Juice (slang, e.g., hoppy juice)
Nectar (informal, poetic)
Pintje (regional slang, e.g., Dutch-influenced)
Stingo (archaic, strong beer)

Notes:

The list includes specific beer styles (e.g., IPA, hefeweizen), which are often used as synonyms in contexts where the type of beer is emphasized.
Slang terms like “brewski,” “cold one,” and “bevvie” are common in casual conversation, especially in North American and British English.
Some terms, like “stingo” or “nectar,” are less common but appear in historical or poetic contexts.
Regional variations exist; for example, “pint” often refers to a serving of beer in the UK, while “bevvie” is more common in Australia or the UK.

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Full Sail Brewing’s Cool Like That Cold IPA – Beer of the Day

September 22, 2025 by Dustin Scoggins

Full Sail Brewing’s Cold IPA, aptly named Cool Like That, captures the essence of a Pacific Northwest summer in every crisp sip. Brewed in the wind-swept town of Hood River, Oregon, this seasonal gem from the Strong Current IPA Series blends the clean, lager-like fermentation of a classic cold brew with the bold, hop-forward punch of an IPA. At 7% ABV and 47 IBUs, it’s deceptively sessionable—light and ultra-bright from a Pilsner malt base that lets the stars of the show shine: massive dry-hop additions of Mosaic and Eclipse hops bursting with tropical mango, juicy clementine, ripe stone fruit, and a whisper of coconut. Whether you’re cracking open a 16-oz can after a day on the Columbia River or pairing it with grilled seafood, this Cold IPA delivers refreshment without the haze, making it a go-to for hop lovers seeking something chill yet intensely flavorful.

What sets Full Sail’s Cold IPA apart in the crowded craft beer scene is its nod to innovation rooted in tradition. Since 1987, Full Sail has been a pioneer in sustainable brewing, drawing pure Mt. Hood spring water to craft beers that have snagged over 300 awards, including Beverage World’s Craft Brewer of the Year. Cool Like That embodies that legacy as a hybrid style—fermented cold for clarity and drinkability, then loaded with vibrant hops for that IPA edge—perfect for late-afternoon adventures or backyard hangs. Available seasonally in 4-packs or on draft through September, it’s a limited-run reminder that great beer, like the Gorge’s fleeting bluebird days, is best savored fresh. Grab one, raise a toast to the outdoors, and let the tropical vibes transport you straight to the bluff overlooking the mighty Columbia.

About Full Sail Brewing Company
Founded in 1987 in the heart of Hood River, Oregon, Full Sail Brewing Company emerged as a trailblazer in the craft beer movement, transforming a derelict Diamond Fruit cannery into a vibrant brewery with a vision for independence and quality. Originally known as Hood River Brewing Company, it became the first commercially successful craft brewery to bottle beer for retail sale in the Pacific Northwest, producing just 287 barrels in its inaugural year amid the rise of windsurfing culture in the region. Led by founders including Irene Firmat and later Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson, the company achieved early acclaim when its Amber Ale secured a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 1989. As an employee-owned enterprise committed to sustainability—through practices like local sourcing, water treatment, and community support—Full Sail has maintained its pioneering spirit, balancing innovation with environmental responsibility for nearly four decades.

Full Sail Brewing boasts a diverse and award-winning portfolio of beers that reflect its Pacific Northwest roots and dedication to craftsmanship. Flagship offerings include the Session Premium Lager, a smooth 5.1% ABV American-style lager with a crisp finish, and the classic Amber Ale, a balanced 6% ABV brew with malty notes that has become a perennial favorite. The lineup expands to hop-centric IPAs such as Hop Pursuit, Slipknot, and Bridge to Nowhere Hazy IPA, alongside seasonal specialties like Wassail, a robust 7.2% ABV winter ale, and Wreck the Halls, a hoppy holiday brew. Innovative releases, including Blood Orange Wheat Ale and pub exclusives like Accidental Art IPA and Heather Canyon Kölsch, showcase the brewery’s experimentation with flavors, all crafted using local hops, barley, and Mount Hood spring water to deliver fresh, high-quality experiences for beer

For More Information:
https://fullsailbrewing.com/beers/cool-like-that-cold-ipa/

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Cliff Thompson – The World’s Tallest Beer Salesman at 8′ 7″

September 17, 2025 by Dow Scoggins

In the annals of extraordinary individuals, few stand as tall—literally—as Cliff Thompson. Towering at an incredible 8 feet 7 inches, this North Dakota native wasn’t just one of the tallest men in history; he was a multifaceted personality who blended law, entertainment, and salesmanship into a larger-than-life career. Best known as the “World’s Tallest Beer Salesman,” Cliff turned his remarkable stature into a marketing marvel, charming crowds and boosting brews in the heart of beer country. Let’s raise a glass to his story—a tale of height, hustle, and heart.

A Giant from the Prairie: Early Life and Rise to Fame
Born Clifford Marshall Thompson on October 18, 1904, in Rugby, North Dakota, Cliff’s extraordinary growth began early. Afflicted with gigantism, a condition caused by excessive growth hormone, he shot up to heights that made everyday life an adventure. By adulthood, he measured 8’7″, making him the tallest man in the world from 1940 to 1955, after the passing of Robert Wadlow. Recent analyses suggest his height might have been slightly less, around 8’3″ to 8’6″, but his billed stature of 8’7″ cemented his place in record books and public imagination.

Cliff’s early years were marked by challenges, from custom clothing to navigating a world built for average heights. Yet, he embraced his uniqueness, pursuing education and turning heads wherever he went. He attended the University of Wisconsin and later law school, becoming a practicing attorney—earning the title “World’s Tallest Lawyer.” But law wasn’t his only path; Cliff’s charisma led him to Hollywood, where he appeared in films and circus sideshows, captivating audiences with his gentle giant persona.

From Courtroom to Kegs: The Beer Salesman Era
What truly set Cliff apart in popular culture was his venture into sales, particularly in the beer industry. Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—America’s beer capital—Cliff became a promotional sensation for local breweries including Blatz Brewing. Billed as the “World’s Tallest Salesman,” he leveraged his height to draw crowds at events, trade shows, and advertisements. Imagine a man who could peer over booths, hand out samples from on high, and pose for photos that made everyone else look pint-sized.

His role wasn’t just gimmicky; Cliff’s genuine enthusiasm for people and products made him effective. He worked for companies like the Wisconsin Brewing Company, where his presence boosted sales and brand visibility. At a time when marketing relied on spectacle, Cliff was a walking billboard, shaking hands with newspapermen and celebrities alike. His marriage to Mary Mars in 1939 added a personal touch to his public life, as the couple navigated the spotlight together.

Legacy and Fun Facts: A Towering Impact
Cliff Thompson’s influence extended beyond beer and law. He practiced in Iola, Wisconsin, where a historical marker now commemorates his time there. The Prairie Village Museum in Rugby honors him with exhibits, showcasing his life alongside other quirky artifacts like Queen Victoria’s dress. Even in Ames, Iowa, his visits left lasting impressions, as seen in historical photos.
Here are some fun facts about this remarkable man:

Record Holder: Cliff was once considered the tallest living man, surpassing the average male height of his era by over three feet.
Multitalented Giant: Beyond sales and law, he acted in movies and performed in circuses, proving height was no barrier to versatility.
Everyday Epics: Cliff’s home in Milwaukee was customized for his size, and he drove specially modified vehicles to accommodate his frame.
Enduring Memory: Though he passed away on February 15, 1955, at age 50, his story lives on through museums, markers, and online tributes.

Cheers to a Legendary Life
Cliff Thompson wasn’t just tall; he was a symbol of resilience and reinvention. From North Dakota prairies to Milwaukee’s brewing scene, he turned potential obstacles into opportunities, leaving a legacy that’s as inspiring as it is impressive. Whether as a lawyer, actor, or the world’s tallest beer salesman, Cliff proved that true stature comes from within. Next time you enjoy a cold one, think of the giant who helped make beer a little more fun—for everyone looking up.

For Fun Stuff:

George Washington’s Beer Recipe – Oldest known writing from George Washington
George Washington’s Distillery – Largest Distillery in the U.S. in 1799.
The History of Beer in the United States

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