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The 2025 Washington Beer Awards will take place in September for the main competition and October for the fresh hop category, with gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded to first, second, and third-place winners, respectively. Special awards will also recognize breweries with multiple standout entries. Winners will be announced and medals presented at a ceremony held alongside a prominent beer event, such as the Washington Brewers Festival or Washington Craft Beer Summit, amplifying the celebration of the state’s craft beer excellence.

This competition is the longest-running organizers of major beer competitions in the Northwest, the event is led by Master Judge-certified professionals who ensure a rigorous and fair evaluation process. This prestigious competition brings together Washington’s top judging talent to honor the finest beers in the state, highlighting the skill and innovation of its breweries. From crisp lagers to bold fresh hop ales, the Washington Beer Awards continues to elevate the region’s vibrant craft beer community.

2024 Washington Beer Awards Medal Winners

Light German-Style Lagers:
Gold: Larrabee Lager Company – Larrabee Original Lager
Silver: Chuckanut Brewery – Chuckanut Fest Bier
Bronze: Kulshan Brewing Co. – K2 – Helles

German-Style Pilsners:
Gold: E9 Brewing Co – T-Dome Pilsner
Silver: Fortside Brewing Company – Fortside Pilsner
Bronze: Farmstrong Brewing Co. – Skagit Pilsner

German-Style Oktoberfests/Wiesns:
Gold: Brick West Brewing – Festbier
Silver: Brothers Cascadia Brewing – Festbier
Bronze: Urban Family Brewing Co – Test Fest

German-Style Maerzens:
Gold: Garland Brew Werks – Oktoberfest
Silver: Heathen Brewing – Marzen Invaders
Bronze: Formula Brewing – Jacob Two Tree’s

German-Style Schwarzbiers:
Gold: The Good Society Brewery & Public House – Schwarzbier
Silver: Flying Lion Brewing – Small But Tiny Dark Lager
Bronze: Bellevue Brewing Co. – Bellevue Brewing Schwarzbier

Other European Amber & Dark Beers:
Gold: Four Generals Brewing – Alt Bier
Silver: San Juan Island Brewing Company – The Late Boat Czech Dark Lager
Bronze: Obec Brewing – Czech Dark Lager

Bohemian-Style Pilsners:
Gold: Chuckanut Brewery – Chuckanut Pilsner
Silver: Wander Brewing – Czech Pils
Bronze: Stemma Brewing – Stemma Pils

Vienna-Style Lagers:
Gold: Grains Of Wrath Brewing – Vienna Lager
Silver: Uprise Brewing Co – Vienna Lager
Bronze: Obec Brewing – Granat

American-Style Light Lagers:
Gold: Sound 2 Summit Brewing – Boat Beer
Silver: Varietal Beer Company – Moxee Light
Bronze: Heathen Brewing – Heathen Light

American-Style Lagers:
Gold: Western Red Brewing – Little Tugger Lager
Silver: Distant West – American Lager
Bronze: Recluse Brew Works, LLC – RBW LAGER BEER

Contemporary American-Style Lager:
Gold: Hellbent Brewing – Tobogan Mexican Lager
Silver: Here Today Brewery & Kitchen – Lightning Harp
Bronze: Stoup Brewing – Cervecita

American-Style Pilsners:
Gold: Single Hill Brewing Company – Adams Pils
Silver: Reuben’s Brews – Pilsner
Bronze: Bellevue Brewing Co. – Bellevue 1882 Lager

Contemporary American-Style Pilsners:
Gold: Single Hill Brewing Company – Super Delicious
Silver: Recluse Brew Works, LLC – Faceless Commodity
Bronze: Farmstrong Brewing Co. – Skagit Pilsner

American-Style India Pale Lagers:
Gold: Trap Door Brewing – Day Beer
Silver: Old Stove Brewing Gardens – Neighborhood Chill
Bronze: Stoup Brewing-Capitol Hill – Mixtape Romeo

Other American-Style Lagers:
Gold: Halcyon Brewing Co. – Midnight Coterie
Silver: Lucky Envelope Brewing – Yinz Jawn Pennsylvania Lager
Bronze: Single Hill Brewing Company – Flight Cancelled

Australasian, Latin American or Tropical-Style Light Lagers:
Gold: Diamond Knot Brewing Company – Cantina
Silver: Boundary Bay Brewery – Van Zandt
Bronze: Wander Brewing – See You Tomorrow

International-Style Pilseners:
Gold: Maelstrom Brewing Company – Pilsner
Silver: Recluse Brew Works, LLC – Ugly Mug
Bronze: Project 9 Brewing – Floating Lotus

Strong Lagers:
Gold: Airways Brewing – Bockbier
Silver: DYSTOPIAN STATE BREWING CO – High Command
Bronze: Formula Brewing – Daydream Stream

Kellerbiers or Zwickelbiers:
Gold: Formula Brewing – Bootup Sequence
Silver: Valholl Brewing – Zwickel Pilsner
Bronze: Larrabee Lager Company – Keller Pils

German-Style Kölsches:
Gold: Dru Bru – Kolsch
Silver: Moment Brewing – Kolsch
Bronze: Sound 2 Summit Brewing – Kiteboard Kolsch

German-Style Wheat Beers:
Gold: Brick West Brewing – Big Heart
Silver: Larrabee Lager Company – White Duck
Bronze: Kulshan Brewing Co. – K2 – Hefeweizen

Rye and American Wheat Beers:
Gold: Barrel Mountain Brewing – Be Happy
Silver: White Bluffs Brewing – Rock N Brown
Bronze: Mac & Jack’s Brewing Company – Serengeti Wheat

Golden or Blonde Ales:
Gold: Elliott Bay Brewing – Organic Boat Beer
Silver: Valholl Brewing – Golden Warrior
Bronze: Logan Brewing Company – Easy Mode

English-Style Bitters:
Gold: Obec Brewing – English Bitter
Silver: Rainy Daze Brewing – Test Drive Amber
Bronze: Vice Beer – AT-AT ESB

English Ales:
Gold: Kulshan Brewing Co. – Sunnyland – Transporter
Silver: Georgetown Brewing Co – Manny’s
Bronze: Loowit Brewing Company – Shadow Shinobi

Irish-Style Red Ales:
Gold: Kulshan Brewing Co. – Sunnyland – Red Cap
Silver: Silver City Brewery – Ridgetop Red
Bronze: WHISTLE PUNK BREWING – Irish Red Ale

Scottish Ales:
Gold: Silver City Brewery – The Magnificent Scotch Ale
Silver: Outer Planet Brewing – Falcon Wee Heavy
Bronze: Sound 2 Summit Brewing – Sail Away Scotch Ale

Cream Ales:
Gold: Lucky Envelope Brewing – Mexican Lager (Insert Snarky Style Comment Here)
Silver: Varietal Beer Company – Two Wolves
Bronze: Resonate Brewery – Mexican Radio

International & Australasian Ales:
Gold: Grains Of Wrath Brewing – Wastelandia
Silver: Scuttlebutt Brewing Company – Option 42 Pale Ale
Bronze: Postdoc Brewing – Finest Decision XPA

British & American Strong Ales:
Gold: Grains Of Wrath Brewing – Geezer’s Paradox
Silver: San Juan Island Brewing Company – King Tide Barleywine
Bronze: Brothers Cascadia Brewing – Barleywine

Robust Porters:
Gold: White Bluffs Brewing – Shadows Of Temptation
Silver: Reuben’s Brews – Robust Porter
Bronze: Georgetown Brewing Co – 9 Pound

American-Style Stout:
Gold: Top Rung Brewing Company – My Dog Scout Stout
Silver: Old Stove Brewing – Dark Passage
Bronze: Stoup Brewing-Capitol Hill – Stoup American Stout

British Stouts:
Gold: Kulshan Brewing Co. – Sunnyland – Echoes In Time
Silver: Rainy Daze Brewing – Haulin Oats Stout
Bronze: Ten Pin Brewing – Snake Eye Stout

Irish Stouts:
Gold: Barrel Mountain Brewing – Starway
Silver: Elysian Brewing Co – Dragonstooth
Bronze: Hat Trick Brewing – Stouty McStouterson

American-Style Imperial Porters & Imperial Stouts:
Gold: Loowit Brewing Company – Shimmergloom
Silver: Big Barn Brewing – Black Dog Stout
Bronze: Ten Pin Brewing – Black Eyed Katy

American-Style Pale Ales:
Gold: Grains Of Wrath Brewing – Papermaker
Silver: Georgetown Brewing Co – Johnny Utah
Bronze: Stoup Brewing – N Zed Pale

Juicy or Hazy Pale Ales:
Gold: Humble Abode Brewing – Life Juice
Silver: Old Stove Brewing Gardens – Fight The Good Fight
Bronze: Icicle Brewing Company – Little Giant

American-Style Strong Pale Ales:
Gold: Hellbent Brewing – Dang! Citra IPA
Silver: Single Hill Brewing Company – Eastside
Bronze: Resonate Brewery – Atomic Punk

Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ales:
Gold: Irrelevant Beer – Psychedelic Therapy
Silver: Trap Door Brewing – Glowed Up
Bronze: Old Stove Brewing – No One Knows

American-Style Amber/Red Ales:
Gold: Old Stove Brewing Gardens – Amber Waves
Silver: Stemma Brewing – First Amber
Bronze: Terramar Brewstillery – Amber On

Pumpkin Spice Beers:
Gold: Elysian Brewing Co – Night Owl
Silver: Elysian Brewing Co – Great Pumpkin
Bronze: Elliott Bay Brewing – Organic Mashing Pumpkin

American-Style Brown & Black Ales:
Gold: Ladd & Lass Brewing – The Night Is Dark And Full Of Terror
Silver: Fortside Brewing Company – Couve A’licious
Bronze: Ice Harbor Brewing Co. – Bruneau Brown

American-Style India Pale Ales:
Gold: Victor 23 – Imitator
Silver: Sound 2 Summit Brewing – Apex IPA
Bronze: Kulshan Brewing Co. – Sunnyland – Bastard Kat

West Coast-Style India Pale Ales:
Gold: Barrel Mountain Brewing – Unplug
Silver: Hellbent Brewing – Hop For Teacher IPA
Bronze: Uprise Brewing Co – Lucid Portal

Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ales:
Gold: Icicle Brewing Company – Enchantments
Silver: Sound 2 Summit Brewing – Ice Axe
Bronze: Wet Coast Brewing Co. – Mixtape For 1

Imperial or Double India Pale Ales:
Gold: Single Hill Brewing Company – Mind Plant
Silver: Bale Breaker Brewing Company – Bottomcutter IIPA
Bronze: Taneum Creek Brewing – Never Lift

Juicy or Hazy Imperial or Double India Pale Ales:
Gold: Trap Door Brewing – Juiced Up
Silver: Reuben’s Brews Taproom – Supernova
Bronze: White Bluffs Brewing – Super NOG

Belgian-Style Witbiers:
Gold: Genus Brewing & Supply – “Erinaceus” (Genus Of The Hedgehog) V.4 Witbier
Silver: Hellbent Brewing – Wit
Bronze: Ghost Runners Brewery – Phantom Blanca

Belgian & Belgian Inspired Ales:
Gold: The Good Society Brewery & Public House – First To Fall
Silver: Dwinell Country Ales – Lookie Loo
Bronze: Echoes Brewing Company – The Golden Blonde

Belgian Strong & Abbey Ales:
Gold: Moment Brewing – Belgian Dark Strong
Silver: White Bluffs Brewing – Monking Around
Bronze: Hat Trick Brewing – Sup Nerds

Belgian & French Farmhouse Ales:
Gold: Lucky Envelope Brewing – LE Saison
Silver: E9 Brewing Co – Vital Transformation
Bronze: Humble Abode Brewing – Rye Saison

Chili Pepper Beers:
Gold: Haywire Brewing Co. – Lizzy Enfuego
Silver: Icicle Brewing Company – Cot In The Heat
Bronze: Old Stove Brewing – Ring Of Fire

Brett Beers:
Gold: Dwinell Country Ales – Summer Blush
Silver: Dwinell Country Ales – Fever Dream
Bronze: Dwinell Country Ales – Fuzzword

German Style Sour Beers:
Gold: Kulshan Brewing Co. – K2 – Gose
Silver: Dru Bru – Peach Sour
Bronze: Narrows Brewing – Good 2 Gose

American-Style Sour Ales:
Gold: FrinGe Brewing – Project Stardust
Silver: Ashtown Brewing Co. – Orange-Strawberry Smoothie Sour
Bronze: Beach Cat Brewing – Raspberry Purree

Belgian Sour and Wild Ales:
Gold: Elliott Bay Brewing Lake City Way – Ambrosia Kreik
Silver: North Fork Brewery – Turbo Goes To Rocket
Bronze: Elliott Bay Brewing Lake City Way – DeRode Duivels

American-Style Fruit Beers:
Gold: SnowEater Brewing Co – Rylans Dandy Shandy
Silver: Big Barn Brewing – Strawberry Blonde
Bronze: Narrows Brewing – Peachy Voyage

Fruit Wheat Beers:
Gold: Ice Harbor Brewing Co. – Ice Harbor Tangerine Hefeweizen
Silver: Ten Pin Brewing – Groove Pineapple Wheat Ale
Bronze: Resonate Brewery – Hysberia

Spiced, Field & Herb Beers:
Gold: Machine House Brewery – Stinging Nettle Ale
Silver: Beach Cat Brewing – Christmas In July
Bronze: In The Shadow Brewing – ITS HBL

Pastry Stouts, Coffee & Chocolate Beers:
Gold: Georgetown Brewing Co – Gusto Creme Coffee Ale
Silver: Humble Abode Brewing – Peanut Butter Chocolate Porter
Bronze: Farmstrong Brewing Co. – Mike In The Morning Coffee Porter

Smoke Beers:
Gold: Here Today Brewery & Kitchen – Icarus Phase
Silver: Ladd & Lass Brewing – Short Days, Dark Nights
Bronze: Genus Brewing & Supply – “Clavaria Fumosa” (Genus Of The Smokey Spindles)

Specialty & Historical Beers:
Gold: Taneum Creek Brewing – Wild Goose Chase
Silver: Fremont Brewing – NA IPA
Bronze: Ladd & Lass Brewing – WAtucky Corn Snacks

Session Beers:
Gold: Grains Of Wrath Brewing – Ticklish Warrior
Silver: Formula Brewing – I’ll Say It Once More
Bronze: Logan Brewing Company – Alchemist’s Dilemma

Experimental Beers:
Gold: Rainy Daze Brewing – Mr. Mustachio
Silver: Dru Bru – Experimental IPA #3
Bronze: Elysian Brewing Co – Punkuccino

Wood & Barrel Aged Strong Stouts:
Gold: Matchless Brewing – Thurston County Stout 2023
Silver: Fortside Brewing Company – Bourbon Barrel Aged Night King
Bronze: Uprise Brewing Co – Phases Of The Moon

Other Wood & Barrel Aged Beers:
Gold: Lumberbeard Brewing – Anniversary Year 4
Silver: Echoes Brewing Company – Glutinous Prime
Bronze: Postdoc Brewing – Hogus Maximus Extremis Amburana 2024

Wood & Barrel Aged Sour Beers:
Gold: Dru Bru – Margarita Sour
Silver: Urban Family Brewing Co – Rum Dawn
Bronze: Jellyfish Brewing Company – Birra Chiara

Seltzers:
Gold: Triceratops Brewing Co – Strawberry Lemonade Hard Seltzer
Silver: Timber City Ginger Beer – Imperial Ginger Beer
Bronze: Four Eyed Guys Brewing – Strawberry Basil Hard Seltzer

Pro-Am:
Gold: Reuben’s Brews and Homebrewer Drew Scoggins – Dortmunder
Silver: Beach Cat Brewing and Homebrewers Joe Murphy and Carolyn Macaulay Waldo – Joe’rchata Mexican Cream Ale
Bronze: North 47 Brewing Co and Homebrewer Tristan McCoy – Diet Smoke

Collaboration Beers:
Gold: Scuttlebutt Brewing Company & Sound to Summit Brewing – Bridging The Trestle
Silver: Heathen Brewing & Brothers Cascadia Brewing – Marzen Invaders
Bronze: Ladd & Lass Brewing, Big Time Brewery & Halcyon Brewing – WAtucky Corn Snacks

Very Small Brewery of the Year (Sponsored by Country Malt Group): Dwinell Country Ailes
Small Brewery of the Year (Sponsored by Crosby Hops): Larrabee Lager Company
Mid-Sized Brewery of the Year (Sponsored by Yakima Chief Hops): Grains of Wrath Brewing
Large Brewery of the Year (Sponsored by Briess Malt and Ingredients): Single Hill Brewing Company

History of the Washington State Craft Beer Scene  

The Washington State craft beer scene began to take shape in the late 1970s and early 1980s, catalyzed by the legalization of homebrewing and a growing interest in diverse, flavorful beers. Pioneering breweries like Redhook, founded in Seattle in 1981, and Hale’s Ales, established in 1983, laid the groundwork for a burgeoning industry by introducing bold, innovative brews that contrasted with mass-produced lagers. These early breweries capitalized on Washington’s abundant resources, including high-quality hops from the Yakima Valley, which supplies over 70% of the nation’s hops. By the 1990s, the state’s craft beer culture had gained momentum, with brewpubs and microbreweries popping up in cities like Seattle, Spokane, and Bellingham, fostering a community of brewers and beer enthusiasts eager to experiment with styles ranging from IPAs to porters.

The 21st century saw explosive growth in Washington’s craft beer industry, with the number of breweries climbing from around 50 in 2000 to over 400 by 2025. Events like the Washington Beer Awards and festivals such as the Washington Brewers Festival have elevated the state’s reputation as a craft beer powerhouse. The scene thrives on collaboration, with breweries often partnering on special releases or community events, while taprooms and beer festivals draw locals and tourists alike. Washington’s craft beer culture is defined by its innovation, quality, and deep connection to local ingredients, cementing its status as a leader in the national craft beer movement.

Fun Beer Facts, Breweries and More: Click Here

Pull up a stool in “Middleton’s Backyard” and raise a pint to Capital Brewery & Bier Garten as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since its founding in 1984 in downtown Middleton, Wisconsin, this trailblazing craft brewery has united beer lovers with its award-winning German-style lagers and vibrant community spirit.

Back in the ‘80s, when craft breweries were scarce, founders Ed Janus and Tony Frey started with a dream and no assets. Through word-of-mouth crowdfunding—before the internet made it trendy—they raised $500,000 by selling $10 shares to 300 investors, now grown to 1,600. They transformed a historic egg factory, imported German brewing kettles, and launched a legacy.

As the Midwest’s oldest continuously operating micro craft brewery, Capital has racked up over 240 awards, including a crowning achievement: Grand National Champion at the 2013 U.S. Open Beer Championship. Led by President Scott Wiener, General Manager Kevin Bagstad, and Brewmaster Tanner Brethorst, the brewery balances tradition with innovation. Brethorst, who joined in 2021, experiments with new brews on their seven-barrel system, noting, “Seeing smiles when people taste my beer—that’s the real reward.”

The expanded Bier Garten, open from spring to snowfall, hosts live music, welcomes carry-ins, and fosters community with events like weddings and fundraisers. The Capital Brewery Bike Club, started in 2009, rides three times weekly, while the indoor Bier Stube, with its century-old Chicago speakeasy bar, keeps the vibe cozy year-round.

Capital’s lineup, including Pilsner, Munich Dark, flagship Wisconsin Amber, and the six-time platinum-winning Blonde Doppelbock (tapped at Bockfest, Feb. 21, 2025), continues to shine. Their small size allows flexibility to can new brews or revive classics, keeping fans happy. Wiener reflects, “We’re woven into Middleton’s fabric, and hitting 40 years with a Grand National Champion title is incredible.”

Cheers to Capital Brewery for 40 years of craft, community, and championship brews!

Current Beers available at Capital Brewery:

Wisconsin Amber
Style: Amber Lager
ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 28
Description: A rich amber lager with a perfect balance of roasted caramel malts and clean hop flavors. Brewed since 1995, it’s Capital’s flagship beer, synonymous with Wisconsin’s craft beer heritage. Ideal for any occasion, it’s smooth, flavorful, and widely available in cans.

Capital Pilsner
Style: German-Style Pilsner
ABV: 4.7%
IBU: Not specified
Description: A classic European-style Pilsner brewed with imported malts and noble hops. It offers a slight sweetness from pilsner malt, balanced by clean, dry bitterness. One of Capital’s original Garten Brau beers, it’s crisp, refreshing, and a timeless favorite.

Munich Dark
Style: Dunkel Lager
ABV: 5.4%
IBU: Not specified
Description: A traditional European Dunkel lager with a dark caramel malt flavor and a smooth, dry finish. One of Capital’s original beers, it’s their most award-winning brew, known for its rich, approachable taste.

Sticky Paw Honey Blonde Ale
Style: Blonde Ale
ABV: 5.0%
IBU: 16
Description: A light, easy-drinking blonde ale brewed with pure Wisconsin honey for a refreshing, subtly sweet experience. Crafted by Brewmaster Tanner Brethorst, it’s perfect for both craft beer enthusiasts and those new to the scene. Now bottled and sold year-round due to its popularity.

Supper Club
Style: American Lager
ABV: 5.0%
IBU: Not specified
Description: An eminently drinkable American lager with a classic Wisconsin malt profile. It features a moderate mouthfeel, mild bitterness, and superb drinkability, evoking the nostalgic vibe of a Wisconsin supper club.

Island Wheat
Style: American Wheat Beer
ABV: 4.5%
IBU: Not specified
Description: A crisp, refreshing wheat beer brewed with Wisconsin wheat. Known for its mild, approachable drinkability, it offers a floral hop aroma and a silky-smooth finish, making it a crowd-pleaser for warm days.

Mutiny IPA
Style: India Pale Ale
ABV: 6.2%
IBU: Not specified
Description: Capital’s first IPA, featuring a bright amber hue and a bold, floral-citrus hop aroma. Six unique hops deliver assertive bitterness balanced by subtle malt sweetness, making it remarkably drinkable despite its punch.

Seasonal Beers
Awesummer Ale (Available: May – July)
Style: Blonde Ale
ABV: 5.0%
IBU: 18
Description: A summer seasonal blonde ale brewed with sweet and bitter orange peel and Mandarina Bavaria hops. It bursts with fresh orange aroma and flavor, offering a light, easy-drinking experience perfect for warm days. Note: May not be available in August but included for completeness.

Winter Skal (Available: November – February)
Style: Amber Lager
ABV: 5.4%
IBU: Not specified
Description: A warming amber lager with a rich malt heritage and a smooth hop flavor. Its amber hue and mild bitterness make it a cozy companion for cold winter months. Note: Not currently available in August but listed for reference.

Limited-Release Beers
Blonde Doppelbock (Available: February, tapped during Bockfest)
Style: Doppelbock
ABV: 7.8%
IBU: Not specified
Description: A deep golden lager with intense malt character, yet surprisingly drinkable. This six-time platinum winner at the World Beer Championships is a highlight of Capital’s annual Bockfest (next on Feb. 21, 2025). Treat this “malt monster” with respect for its rich, bold flavor.

Pumpkinataur
Style: Pumpkin Beer
ABV: Not specified
IBU: Not specified
Description: A dark copper-colored pumpkin beer with bold cinnamon and pumpkin aromas, accented by a pinch of nutmeg. Its creamy pumpkin palate delivers sweet, fantastic flavors without overwhelming spice, making it smooth and crave-worthy. Likely available in fall, so check the tap list for current status.

Ash’s SMaSHes Part 1
Style: Blonde/Golden Ale or Pale Ale
ABV: Not specified
IBU: Not specified
Description: A single-malt-and-single-hop (SMaSH) beer featuring Amarillo hops and Capital’s pale base malt. It sits between a blonde and pale ale, offering a bright, hop-forward profile with citrusy notes and a clean malt backbone. Check tap availability for this limited release.

Bavarian Lager
Style: Helles Lager
ABV: Not specified
IBU: Not specified
Description: A mild, classic German Helles-style lager with a clean, refreshing profile. It’s light and approachable, perfect for those seeking a traditional lager experience. Availability may be limited, so confirm with the brewery.

Dark Doppelbock
Style: Doppelbock
ABV: 7.8%
IBU: Not specified
Description: A rich, dark lager with smooth, toasted malt flavors of espresso, dark chocolate, and burnt caramel. Perfect for toasting the end of fall or warming up in winter, it’s a full-flavored experience with a subtle hop presence.

 

🍻 #CapitalBrewery #40YearsStrong #USOpenBeerChampion

Beer Goggles – Tuborg Beer Commercial

“Beer goggles” is a humorous term for the way alcohol can affect perception—especially when it comes to physical attraction. Scientifically, the phrase refers to the phenomenon where individuals appear more attractive after consuming alcohol. While the idea has long been the subject of jokes and pop culture references, it also has some basis in science.

Studies suggest that alcohol affects the brain’s visual processing and judgment centers, particularly the orbitofrontal cortex, which helps us evaluate facial symmetry and other cues of attractiveness. When alcohol dampens this area’s activity, our standards may shift, leading to more favorable perceptions of others.

But beer goggles aren’t just about attraction—they also reflect broader impairments in decision-making that come with intoxication. Whether it’s staying out later than planned or texting someone you normally wouldn’t, beer goggles symbolize the lowered inhibitions and altered social behavior associated with drinking.

Funny and relatable, the term also serves as a reminder of alcohol’s influence on perception and the importance of drinking responsibly. After all, the morning-after effect of beer goggles can be more sobering than the hangover itself.

“Beer Goggles: A Cautionary Tale with a Foamy Finish”

It was a Friday night like any other in the small college town of Hopedale. Neon signs buzzed, bar stools creaked, and the scent of wings and spilled lager filled the air inside O’Reilly’s Taproom. Music thumped low in the background—just loud enough to feel, but not quite loud enough to drown out the hum of conversation and clinking glasses.

Ben, a junior with more charm than good sense, had already gone three pints deep into O’Reilly’s signature “Night Vision IPA.” It was named not for enhanced clarity—but rather the opposite. As the alcohol began to settle in, Ben leaned over to his friend Marcus and nudged him with a grin.

“Dude,” Ben whispered, pointing toward the far end of the bar. “Check out the girl in the red sweater. Total knockout.”

Marcus squinted through the dim lights. “You mean the one with the moose antlers on her head?”

“She’s festive!” Ben protested.

Marcus raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He’d seen this story unfold before.

Fueled by liquid courage and at least one poorly advised tequila shot, Ben strutted over. “Hey, mind if I join you?” he asked.

The girl smiled and said her name was Mandy. She was friendly, chatty, and laughed at Ben’s jokes—even the ones that barely qualified as jokes. They talked about music, terrible professors, and the mystery meat in the campus dining hall. To Ben, everything about her sparkled.

“Want to dance?” he asked.

“Let’s!” she replied.

Two sloppy hours later, Marcus found Ben by the jukebox, flushed and beaming.

“I think I met someone,” Ben said dreamily. “We might be in love. Or at least in like.”

Marcus just chuckled and helped him into a cab. “Beer goggles, bro,” he muttered.

The next morning, sunlight sliced through the blinds like a dagger. Ben groaned, his head pounding. He rolled over in bed—and there she was. Still wearing the moose antlers. And a full Renaissance Faire costume.

Ben blinked.

“Morning, Sir Ben!” she chirped cheerfully. “Want to go to the craft fair later?”

He winced. “Sure,” he croaked, more out of guilt than interest.

Later, over greasy diner hash browns and a black coffee that might as well have been motor oil, Ben confessed it all to Marcus.

“You ever heard of the term beer goggles?” Marcus asked with a smirk.

“Yeah,” Ben groaned. “I’m living the cautionary tale.”

Mandy, as it turned out, was a lovely person—eccentric, yes, but kind and smart. While things didn’t pan out romantically, they remained friends. Ben even helped her run the cotton candy booth at the local medieval fair that spring.

And from that day on, whenever Ben had more than two IPAs, someone in their friend group would shout, “Careful, goggles on!”—and everyone would laugh.

Because in Hopedale, “beer goggles” weren’t just a myth. They were a rite of passage. And sometimes, just sometimes, they even led to unexpected friendships—and questionable headwear.

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

Fetch Brewing Company: A Craft Beer Haven in Whitehall
Nestled in the heart of Whitehall, Michigan, Fetch Brewing Company is a beacon for craft beer enthusiasts and community members alike. Housed in a historic State Bank building from 1912, this microbrewery, co-owned by Dan and Jen Hain, has been pouring quality brews since 2014. The unique setting, combined with a passion for innovative brewing, makes Fetch a must-visit destination for locals and travelers exploring the shores of Lake Michigan.

A Historic Setting with Modern Flair
Located on Colby Street, Fetch Brewing occupies a building that once served as a cornerstone of Whitehall’s lumber-era prosperity. The original bank vault, now dubbed “The Penny Lounge,” is a standout feature, with its copper-colored walls and a floor adorned with thousands of hand-placed pennies. This cozy nook, decorated with brewery stickers from across the country, offers a unique spot to sip a pint in an intimate, historic setting. The blend of exposed brick, modern brewing equipment, and welcoming décor creates an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

The Beer: A Diverse and Creative Lineup
Fetch Brewing boasts a rotating selection of 15 taps, showcasing a variety of styles brewed on-site. Dan Hain, an IPA enthusiast, ensures hop-forward offerings are a highlight. Standouts include:

Angry IPA: A Midwest-style IPA with a bold, bitter finish that appeals to hop lovers.
Ryptide: A rye IPA with spicy notes and a balanced profile, perfect for those seeking something distinctive.
Mad Swag: A hefty imperial IPA at 10% ABV, delivering bright citrus flavors amidst a robust malt backbone.
Jinkies: A hazy, blood orange-infused brew that’s easy-drinking with no bitterness, ideal for those new to craft beer.
Tree Stump: A coffee stout with rich chocolate notes, perfect for cooler days.

Beyond IPAs and stouts, Fetch experiments with unique offerings like a lavender beer, ensuring there’s something for every palate. The brewery also serves hard cider, wine, Sprecher soda, and Lively Up Kombucha, making it a versatile spot for all tastes. While Fetch doesn’t have a kitchen, it’s food-friendly, encouraging patrons to bring in takeout or order delivery from nearby restaurants, enhancing the laid-back vibe.

Community at the Core
Fetch Brewing is more than a place to grab a beer—it’s a community hub. The Hains have fostered a “Fetch Family” atmosphere, where locals forge friendships over pints. The brewery hosts a range of events, from live music and trivia nights to charity fundraisers, weddings, and even activity groups like the Fetch Cycling and Running Groups. This commitment to community engagement has earned Fetch a loyal following and a 4-out-of-5 rating on Tripadvisor, with 87 reviews praising its great beer and welcoming atmosphere.

The Fetch Experience
Open Monday through Thursday from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and noon to midnight on weekends, Fetch offers ample opportunity to enjoy its brews and vibrant setting. The brewery’s location, just a mile from Lake Michigan and near White Lake, makes it an ideal stop for those exploring Western Michigan. Entertainment, including live bands every Saturday, adds to the lively pub feel, while the outdoor patio provides a relaxed space to enjoy a sunny day.

While some reviews note inconsistencies in beer temperature or service, the consensus highlights Fetch’s charm, with many appreciating the attentive staff and the ability to bring in outside food. For those looking to explore, flights of six beers allow sampling of the diverse tap list, and the brewery’s signature “Lazy Eye Rye” is a nod to its innovative spirit.

About Fetch Brewing
Fetch Brewing Company, a beloved Whitehall, Michigan microbrewery, continues to captivate craft beer enthusiasts with its innovative brews and vibrant community spirit. Housed in a historic 1912 State Bank building, Fetch offers a rotating selection of 15 taps, featuring bold IPAs like Angry IPA and unique offerings like Jinkies, a hazy blood orange brew. Co-owners Dan and Jen Hain have transformed the space into a welcoming hub, complete with the iconic Penny Lounge, live music, and community events like trivia nights and charity fundraisers. With its blend of historic charm, creative beers, and a food-friendly atmosphere, Fetch Brewing remains a cornerstone of the White Lake area’s craft beer scene, inviting locals and visitors alike to join the “Fetch Family.”

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

 

Indianapolis, Indiana — The Brewers Association, a nonprofit championing America’s small and independent craft brewers, revealed the 2025 World Beer Cup medal winners, widely regarded as the globe’s premier beer and cider competition. The awards were presented at the Indiana Convention Center during the Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America®.

Over seven days and 14 judging sessions, 265 expert judges from 37 countries assessed 8,375 entries from 1,761 breweries and cideries across 49 nations. A total of 349 medals were awarded, celebrating excellence in craft brewing and cider production.

“The 2025 World Beer Cup highlights the global craft beverage industry’s commitment to creativity, quality, and innovation,” said Chris Williams, competition director. “This year’s winners exemplify the artistry and passion driving craft brewing and cider forward, setting a high bar for excellence and inspiring the industry worldwide.”

2025 World Beer Cup Highlights

• 16th edition of the competition (skipped 2020; held annually since 2022)

• 8,375 entries from 1,761 breweries and cideries

• 49 countries represented

• 317 first-time brewery participants

• 265 judges, including 132 international experts from 37 countries

• 112 beer style categories and 5 cider categories

• Average of 73 entries per category

• Top-entered beer styles:

  • Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale: 290 entries

  • West Coast-Style India Pale Ale: 253 entries

  • American-Style India Pale Ale: 208 entries

  • German-Style Pilsener: 186 entries

  • Hoppy Lager: 155 entries

Of the possible 336 beer category awards, 334 were granted, with no gold in Belgian-Style Strong Blonde Ale and no bronze in South German-Style Bernsteinfarbenes Weizen. All 15 possible cider awards were distributed.

The World Beer Cup continues to elevate the craft beverage industry, fostering innovation and recognizing outstanding achievements on a global stage.

2025 World Beer Cup Medal Winners

Category: 1: American Wheat Beer – 36 Entries
Gold: Fuzztail, Sunriver Brewing Co., Sunriver, OR
Silver: Lunar Fallout, Tilted Axis Brewing Co., Lapeer, MI
Bronze: Spring Valley Silk Ale, Spring Valley Brewery, Shibuya, Japan

Category: 2: Fruit Beer – 90 Entries
Gold: Altstadt Radler, Altstadt Brewery, Fredericksburg, TX
Silver: Hey Girl, Hey, Starr Hill Beer Hall & Rooftop, Richmond, VA
Bronze: Limaveza, New Realm Brewing, Atlanta, GA

Category: 3: Fruit Wheat Beer – 77 Entries
Gold: Mango Cart, Golden Road Brewing Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Silver: Yuzu Weiss, Yokohama Bay Brewing Co., Yokohama, Japan
Bronze: Samuel Adams Summer Ale, Boston Beer Co., Somerville, MA

Category: 4: Field Beer – 70 Entries
Gold: Tonya’s Still Crushing It, Blue Moon Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Silver: Heiwa Craft A Study in Pink, Heiwa Shuzou Co., Kainan, Japan
Bronze: Coconut Oil Man, Elevation Beer Co., Poncha Springs, CO

Category: 5: Pumpkin Beer – 26 Entries
Gold: Not Your Grandma’s Pumpkin Ale, Grand Junction Brewing Co., Westfield, IN
Silver: Pumpkin Spice J. Marie, River North Brewery, Denver, CO
Bronze: Pumpkin Ale, Bier Brewery and Taproom, Indianapolis, IN

Category: 6: Chili Beer – 55 Entries
Gold: Pyro’s Prost, Hop Dogma, Half Moon Bay, CA
Silver: Breakside All Yellow, Breakside Brewery, Portland, OR
Bronze: Tangerine Heat, Dakota Point Brewing, Rapid City, SD

Category: 7: Herb and Spice Beer – 79 Entries
Gold: Sansho Gose – Koji, Open Air Brewing, Kobe, Japan
Silver: Burma Ale, Alameda Brewing, Alameda, CA
Bronze: Lavender & Chamomile, Craft Beer Base, Osaka, Japan

Category: 8: Chocolate Beer – 59 Entries
Gold: Chocolate Porter, Diatribe Brewing Co., Asheville, NC
Silver: Viator Obscura: Triple Chocolate, Wandering Monsters Brewing
Co., Cincinnati, OH
Bronze: Midnight Hike, River North Brewery, Denver, CO

Category: 9: Coffee Beer – 69 Entries
Gold: Coffee Cream Ale, Pantown Brewing Co., St. Cloud, MN
Silver: Squirrels Just Want to Have Fun, River North Brewery, Denver, CO
Bronze: Gusto Crema, Georgetown Brewing Co., Seattle, WA

Category: 10: Coffee Stout or Porter – 68 Entries
Gold: Midnight Sea, Morgan Territory Brewing, Tracy, CA
Silver: Dusk Til Dawn, Pizza Port San Clemente, San Clemente, CA
Bronze: Lil’ Zoomie, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH

Category: 11: Dessert Stout or Pastry Stout – 101 Entries
Gold: The Gateway, West Coast Brewing, Shizuoka, Japan
Silver: Saturday Morning Cartoons, Hackamore Brewing Co.,
Chanhassen, MN
Bronze: Happy Almonds, Moksa Brewing Co., Rocklin, CA

Category: 12: Rye Beer – 36 Entries
Gold: Steamy Wonder, Proper Brewing Co., Salt Lake City, UT
Silver: Wooly Pig Farm Brewery Rye Dunkel, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery,
Fresno, OH
Bronze: Roggenbier, Schulz Bräu Brewing Co., Knoxville, TN

Category: 13: Honey Beer – 44 Entries
Gold: Hachimitsu Mai, Deschutes Brewery – PDX Pub, Portland, OR
Silver: Miss Behave, Moonraker Brewing, Cameron Park, CA
Bronze: Ommegang Farm Fresh Ale, Brewery Ommegang,
Cooperstown, NY

Category: 14: Classic Non-Alcohol Ale or Lager – 72 Entries
Gold: Tsingtao Non-Alcoholic Wheat Beer, Tsingtao Brewery Co.,
Qingdao, China
Silver: Svyturys Ekstra Non Alko, Švyturys-Utenos alus, Vilnius, Lithuania
Bronze: Kölsch, Best Day Brewing, Berthoud, CO

Category: 15: Hoppy Non-Alcohol Beer – 61 Entries
Gold: Trail Pass Hazy IPA, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Chico, Chico, CA
Silver: Disarm, Go Brewing, Naperville, IL
Bronze: Bird of Prey 0.2, Uiltje Brewing Co., Haarlem, Netherlands

Category: 16: Specialty Non-Alcohol Beer – 35 Entries
Gold: Sim! Cerveja Sem Álcool – Melancia SOUR’n Salt, Sim! Cerveja,
Campinas, Brazil
Silver: BBNOALC, Four Winds Brewing Co., Delta, Canada
Bronze: New School, Go Brewing, Naperville, IL

Category: 17: Session Beer or Belgian-Style Table Beer – 34 Entries
Gold: Table Beer, Lost Cabin Beer Co., Rapid City, SD
Silver: Shiner Bock, Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner, TX
Bronze: Saison Lily, ColdFire Barrel House, Eugene, OR

Category: 18: Session India Pale Ale – 73 Entries
Gold: Micro Blaster, Shred Beer Co., Rocklin, CA
Silver: Hefty Fee, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bronze: Scenic Route, Westbound & Down Brewing Co., Lafayette, CO

Category: 19: Strong Porter – 58 Entries
Gold: Battle Axe, Fat Heads Brewery, Middleburg Heights, OH
Silver: Baltic Porter, Haymarket Beer Co., Bridgman, MI
Bronze: Baltic Porter, Nonsuch Brewing Co., Winnipeg, Canada

Category: 20: Other Strong Beer – 39 Entries
Gold: Imperial Dark Mast, Pond Farm Brewing Co., San Rafael, CA
Silver: East County Fine Malt Liquor, The Post Brewing Co., Lafayette, CO
Bronze: Imperial Pilsner, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI

Category: 21: Experimental Beer – 87 Entries
Gold: Screaming Plum, Muho Brewery, Rende Dist., Taiwan
Silver: Big Trouble in Little Tokyo, Angel City Brewery, Los Angeles, CA
Bronze: Amalfi, Sun King Brewery, Indianapolis, IN

Category: 22: Experimental India Pale Ale – 70 Entries
Gold: Pepper & Peaches, Claremont Craft Ales, Claremont, CA
Silver: Infinite Glow, Highlander Beer – Salmon, Salmon, ID
Bronze: Rainbow Suspenders, Seapine Brewing Co., Seattle, WA

Category: 23: Historical Beer – 46 Entries
Gold: Vinter Liv, Paddlefish Brewing Co., Saint Peter, MN
Silver: AEgir’s Wreath, Archival Brewing, Belmont, MI
Bronze: Lichtenhainer, Mythmaker Brewing, Fort Collins, CO

Category: 24: Gluten-Free Beer – 39 Entries
Gold: Pacific Ale, TWØBAYS Brewing Co., Dromana, Australia
Silver: Winter Lager, Orange Bike Brewing Co., Portland, ME
Bronze: Met at Midnight, Armored Cow Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC

Category: 25: American-Belgo-Style Ale – 31 Entries
Gold: Breakside Spring Day, Breakside Brewery & Taproom, Milwaukie, OR
Silver: Dear You, Ratio Beerworks, Denver, CO
Bronze: Picked Last, Fieldwork Brewing Co., Berkeley, CA

Category: 26: American-Style Sour Ale – 106 Entries
Gold: Howzit Punch, Alvarado Street Brewery, Salinas, CA
Silver: Limoilou Beach, Microbrasserie La Souche, Stoneham-etTewkesbury, Canada
Bronze: Tropic Desert, Other Brother Beer Co., Seaside, CA

Category: 27: Brett Beer – 38 Entries
Gold: Free Range Farmhouse Ale, Sun King Brewery, Indianapolis, IN
Silver: Pear Saison, Firestone Walker Brewing – Propagator, Paso Robles,
CA
Bronze: Wild Side, Jing-A Brewing, Beijing, China

Category: 28: Mixed-Culture Brett Beer – 52 Entries
Gold: Brett Para 3, Cervecería Kürüf, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Silver: Bobbi, Fair Isle Brewing, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Frank On Sled, Deadman Brewery, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Category: 29: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer – 37 Entries
Gold: Dr. Sleep, San Fernando Brewing Co., San Fernando, CA
Silver: A.5, Eighty-Three Brewery, Akron, OH
Bronze: Sensationator, Deschutes Brewery – PDX Pub, Portland, OR

Category: 30: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer – 136 Entries
Gold: Perpetual Peace, No Label Brewing Co., Katy, TX
Silver: Anniversary Year 5, Lumberbeard Brewing, Spokane, WA
Bronze: Afterlife Elixir, Aslin Beer Co., Alexandria, VA

Category: 31: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout – 117 Entries
Gold: Depth Dweller, Indigo Reef Brewing Co., Mount Pleasant, SC
Silver: Elagabalus, Caius Farm Brewery, Branford, CT
Bronze: Deth’s Tar, Revolution Brewing, Chicago, IL

Category: 32: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer – 83 Entries
Gold: The Virtue of Patience, Bold Monk Brewing Co., Atlanta, GA
Silver: Gin Golden Sour, Stodgy Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO
Bronze: Broliner Weisse, Wooden Bear Brewing Co., Greenfield, IN

Category: 33: Kellerbier or Zwickelbier – 55 Entries
Gold: Broumy, Pivovar Matuška, Broumy, Czech Republic
Silver: Pilsners are Lagers, Benchtop Brewing Co., Norfolk, VA
Bronze: Karbach Kellerbier, Karbach Brewing, Houston, TX

Category: 34: Smoke Beer – 73 Entries
Gold: Weiherer Rauch, Brauerei-Gasthof Kundmüller, Viereth-Trunstadt,
Germany
Silver: Daisy Lampkin, Late Addition Brewing + Blending, Pittsburgh, PA
Bronze: Smokey the Beer, Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant, Topeka, KS

Category: 35: American Light Lager – 134 Entries
Gold: Clubhaus Lager, Von Ebert Brewing, Portland, OR
Silver: Old Fortwaukee, Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing, Fort Collins, CO
Bronze: Really Decent, Werk Force Brewing Co., Plainfield, IL

Category: 36: International Light Lager – 86 Entries
Gold: Solveza, Peaceful Side Brewery, Maryville, TN
Silver: Yucatan Sunrise, Full Distance Brewing Co., Stafford, VA
Bronze: Snow Dust, Sacred Waters Brewing Co., Kalispell, MT

Category: 37: International-Style Pilsener – 80 Entries
Gold: Birkebeinerpils, Victor 23, Portland, OR
Silver: Hi-Wire Lager, Hi-Wire Brewing, Asheville, NC
Bronze: Icicle Premium Pilsner, Icicle Brewing Co., Leavenworth, WA

Category: 38: International-Style Lager – 103 Entries
Gold: Yamagata, Original Pattern Brewing, Oakland, CA
Silver: Otaku Hyper Dry, GameCraft Brewing, Laguna Hills, CA
Bronze: Rice Breaker, Hana Koa Brewing Co., Honolulu, HI

Category: 39: Hoppy Lager – 155 Entries
Gold: Cold IPA, pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR
Silver: Super Smash, Unsung Brewing Co., Tustin, CA
Bronze: Krispi Kiwi, Far Field Beer Co., Lawndale, CA

Category: 40: Munich-Style Dunkel – 60 Entries
Gold: G.G., Exile Brewing Co., Des Moines, IA
Silver: Horn of Hammerhand, Flix Brewhouse – Des Moines, Des Moines, IA
Bronze: Moondoor Dunkel, Wibby Brewing, Longmont, CO

Category: 41: International Dark Lager – 109 Entries
Gold: Late Czech Out, Pilot Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC
Silver: Secret Secret, Wayfinder Beer, Portland, OR
Bronze: Czech Style Dark Lager, Cold Bear Brewing Co., Arnprior, Canada

Category: 42: Italian-Style Pilsener – 132 Entries
Gold: STS Pils, Russian River Brewing Co., Windsor, CA
Silver: Hamburghini, ISM Brewing, Long Beach, CA
Bronze: Pivo, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA

Category: 43: German-Style Pilsener – 186 Entries
Gold: Haha Pils, Arbeiter Brewing Co., Minneapolis, MN
Silver: Kinabik Pilsner, Snake Lake Brewing Co., Sylvan Lake, Canada
Bronze: Planks, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ventura, CA

Category: 44: Bohemian-Style Pilsener – 132 Entries
Gold: Bay Pilsner, Yokohama Bay Brewing Co., Yokohama, Japan
Silver: Pilsner Rešov, Equal Parts Brewing, Houston, TX
Bronze: Minoh Beer Pilsner, Minoh Brewery, Minoh-shi, Japan

Category: 45: Munich-Style Helles – 145 Entries
Gold: Construct Of Quality, Cinder Block Brewery, North Kansas City, MO
Silver: Kirkland Signature Helles Lager, Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Bronze: Hachenburger Hell, Westerwald-Brauerei H. Schneider, Hachenburg, Germany

Category: 46: Dortmunder/Export or German Oktoberfest – 70 Entries
Gold: The Cushman, Morgan Territory Brewing, Tracy, CA
Silver: Thunder from Dortmunder, Marble Brewery, Albuquerque, NM
Bronze: Guldkällan, Spendrups Bryggeri, Stockholm, Sweden

Category: 47: Vienna-Style Lager – 88 Entries
Gold: Vienna, Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe, NM
Silver: Family Tradition, BarrieHaus Beer Co., Tampa, FL
Bronze: Vienna Fest Bier, Quarter Celtic Brewpub, Albuquerque, NM

Category: 48: German-Style Maerzen or Franconian Rotbier – 47 Entries
Gold: Follow the Lederhosen, Moontown Brewing Co., Whitestown, IN
Silver: Red Vespa, Unsung Brewing Co., Tustin, CA
Bronze: Oktoberfest Gemütlichkeit, Wiseacre Brewing Co., Memphis, TN

Category: 49: German-Style Schwarzbier – 88 Entries
Gold: Schwarz Bear, Gatlinburg Brewing Co., Sevierville, TN
Silver: Schwarzbier, Pizza Port Imperial Beach, Imperial Beach, CA
Bronze: Shady Lady, Sky Puppy Brewing, Tampa, FL

Category: 50: German-Style Bock or Maibock – 77 Entries
Gold: Cold Front, Avery Brewing Co., Boulder, CO
Silver: Rosenbock, Ivanhoe Park Lager House, Orlando, FL
Bronze: Maibock, Ocean View Brewing Co., Ocean View, DE

Category: 51: German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock – 76 Entries
Gold: Curse The Goat, Shoreline Brewery, Michigan City, IN
Silver: Living a Double Life, Wise Man Brewing, Winston-Salem, NC
Bronze: Coconspirator, Victor 23, Portland, OR

Category: 52: American-Style Lager – 107 Entries
Gold: Vacancy Classic, Vacancy Brewing, Austin, TX
Silver: Cole’s Light Lager, Wild Ride Brewing, Redmond, OR
Bronze: Home Run Jack, 14 Cannons, Westlake Village, CA

Category: 53: Contemporary American-Style Lager – 57 Entries
Gold: El Pato Loco, Able Baker Brewing Co., Las Vegas, NV
Silver: Blackberry Smoke American Lager, New Realm Brewing, Atlanta, GA
Bronze: Built to Chill, Bend Brewing Co., Bend, OR

Category: 54: American-Style Pilsener – 84 Entries
Gold: Highwayman, Roadhouse Brewing, Jackson, WY
Silver: Bellevue 1882 Lager, Bellevue Brewing Co., Bellevue, WA
Bronze: Gold Country Pilsner, Auburn Alehouse, Auburn, CA

Category: 55: American-Style Cream Ale – 94 Entries
Gold: Bold Rush, Drake’s Brewing Co., San Leandro, CA
Silver: Amendment Lager, 21st Amendment, San Leandro, CA
Bronze: Was Angeles, Uinta Brewing Co., Salt Lake City, UT

Category: 56: American-Style Amber Lager – 82 Entries
Gold: 40 Mike Mike, Free Roam Brewing Co., Boerne, TX
Silver: Ebb and Flow, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Chismosa, Old Caz Beer, Rohnert Park, CA

Category: 57: Australian-Style Pale Ale – 44 Entries
Gold: Breakside Hello My Alien, Breakside Brewery, Portland, OR
Silver: XPA, Craft Coast, San Marcos, CA
Bronze: How’s the Serenity, Original Pattern Brewing, Oakland, CA

Category: 58: International Pale Ale – 97 Entries
Gold: Through The Roof, Arts District Brewing Co., Los Angeles, CA
Silver: Pale, pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR
Bronze: Chur Enough, BKS Artisan Ales, Kansas City, MO

Category: 59: Extra Special Bitter – 52 Entries
Gold: Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Chico, Chico, CA
Silver: Railhead Red, Lumberyard Brewing Co., Flagstaff, AZ
Bronze: Velvet Organic ESB, Hopworks Brewery, Portland, OR

Category: 60: New Zealand-Style India Pale Ale – 97 Entries
Gold: Perverse Inverse, Ghost Town Brewing, Oakland, CA
Silver: Loyal to the Soil, Formula Brewing, Issaquah, WA
Bronze: Modern Love, TapRoom Beer Co., San Diego, CA

Category: 61: Barley Wine-Style Ale – 52 Entries
Gold: Grow Old With You, Verboten Brewing, Loveland, CO
Silver: Three Ryes Men, Reuben’s Brews, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Lower De Boom, 21st Amendment, San Leandro, CA

Category: 62: German-Style Koelsch – 116 Entries
Gold: Daycation Gold, Highland Brewing Co., Asheville, NC
Silver: Monger’s Choice, Docent Brewing, San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bronze: Kolsch, Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe, NM

Category: 63: Gose – 45 Entries
Gold: Canoa Quebrada, 277 Craft Beer, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Silver: Gose, Four Generals Brewing, Renton, WA
Bronze: SMBW Basil Lemongrass Gose, Santa Monica Brew Works, Santa
Monica, CA

Category: 64: Berliner-Style Weisse – 35 Entries
Gold: Champagne Toast, Wander Brewing, Bellingham, WA
Silver: East Side Gallery, Iron Hill Brewery, Exton, PA
Bronze: Cactus Makes Perfect, Oregon City Brewing Co., Oregon City, OR

Category: 65: South German-Style Hefeweizen – 121 Entries
Gold: Washout Wheat, Holy City Brewing, N. Charleston, SC
Silver: Shed & Silo, 3 Nations Brewing, Carrollton, TX
Bronze: Hefeweizen, Dru Bru, Cle Elum, WA

Category: 66: German-Style Leichtes or Kristal Weizen – 15 Entries
Gold: Krystal Moon, Blue Moon Brewing Co., Denver, CO
Silver: Tsingtao Wheat Beer, Tsingtao Brewery Co., Qingdao, China
Bronze: Needlerush Hefeweizen, Silver Bluff Brewing Co., Brunswick, GA

Category: 67: South German Bernsteinfarbenes Weizen – 10 Entries
Gold: Apres Hefe, Fat Heads Brewery, Middleburg Heights, OH
Silver: Ayinger Urweisse, Brauerei Aying Franz Inselkammer, Aying, Germany

Category: 68: South German-Style Dunkel Weizen – 29 Entries
Gold: Michael Dorn-Kelweiss, Five Wits Brewing Co., Chattanooga, TN
Silver: Big Banana Brown Dunkelweisen, Shaketown Brewing, North
Vancouver, Canada
Bronze: Junk In Da Trunkel Dunkel, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, San Diego,
CA

Category: 69: South German-Style Weizenbock – 31 Entries
Gold: Weizenbock, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Mills River, Mills River, NC
Silver: Alpenglow, Fat Heads Brewery, Middleburg Heights, OH
Bronze: Weihenstephaner Vitus, Bayerische Staatsbrauerei
Weihenstephan, Freising, Germany

Category: 70: German-Style Altbier – 45 Entries
Gold: Lithium, Resonate Brewery, Bellevue, WA
Silver: Alternative Medicine, Lakeville Brewing Co., Lakeville, MN
Bronze: Hinterland Altbier, Hinterland Brewery, Green Bay, WI

Category: 71: Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale – 26 Entries
Gold: Gallus, Cellar West Brewery, Lafayette, CO
Silver: French Kiss, Primeval Brewing, Noblesville, IN
Bronze: Crazy Train, Fretboard Brewing Co., Blue Ash, OH

Category: 72: Belgian-Style Witbier – 64 Entries
Gold: Suntrip, New Terrain Brewing Co., Golden, CO
Silver: Belgian Wheat, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. – Basecamp,
Roseland, VA
Bronze: Hoegaarden White, AB-Inbev Hoegaarden, Hoegaarden, Belgium

Category: 73: Classic Saison – 54 Entries
Gold: Dogwood Saison, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. – Basecamp,
Roseland, VA
Silver: Plough & Harrow, ISM Brewing, Long Beach, CA
Bronze: Belgian Blonde, Frontyard Brewing, Spicewood, TX

Category: 74: Specialty Saison – 40 Entries
Gold: Heirloom, Kane Brewing Co., Ocean, NJ
Silver: Sacred Tree, Phantom Farms Brewing, Cumberland, RI
Bronze: Foeder Aged Saison, New Realm Brewing, Atlanta, GA

Category: 75: Belgian Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale – 20 Entries
Gold: Flanders Red, Cerveza 7 Vidas, Tacna, Peru
Silver: Flanders Redux, True Anomaly Brewing Co., Houston, TX
Bronze: Stupid Sexy Flanders, Sun King Brewery, Indianapolis, IN

Category: 76: Belgian-Style Sour Ale – 31 Entries
Gold: Erlton Street 5, The Establishment Brewing Co., Calgary, Canada
Silver: Spontaneous Manifesto 2023, Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Co. – The
Monolith, Edmonton, Canada
Bronze: Funk Yeah, Beachwood Blendery, Huntington Beach, CA

Category: 77: Belgian-Style Blonde Ale – 31 Entries
Gold: Feral Garden Gnome, Liability Brewing Co., Greenville, SC
Silver: NBeer Belgian Blonde Ale, NBeer Craft Brewing Co., Chengdu, China
Bronze: Rector 2025, Absolution Brewing Co., Torrance, CA

Category: 78: Belgian-Style Strong Blonde Ale – 34 Entries
Silver: Damnation, Russian River Brewing Co., Windsor, CA
Bronze: The Cannibal, Iron Hill Brewery, Exton, PA

Category: 79: Belgian-Style Dubbel – 33 Entries
Gold: Size 6, Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Co., Marlborough, MA
Silver: Dubbel or Nothing, Monkless Belgian Ales, Bend, OR
Bronze: Discipline Dubbel, Bold Monk Brewing Co., Atlanta, GA

Category: 80: Belgian-Style Tripel – 68 Entries
Gold: Tripel Dog Dare, Big Dog’s Brewing Co., Las Vegas, NV
Silver: Bel Ringer, 9th Hour Brewing Co., Lake Villa, IL
Bronze: La Fin du Monde, Unibroue, Chambly, Canada

Category: 81: Belgian-Style Quadrupel – 25 Entries
Gold: Frosted Monk, RockSolid Brewing Co., Ball Ground, GA
Silver: Traced in Air, Bartlett Hall, San Francisco, CA
Bronze: Urbrew Adventure (Blue) Strong Dark Ale, Urbrew, Handan, China

Category: 82: Belgian-Style Strong Specialty Ale – 38 Entries
Gold: Quadruppel 277, 277 Craft Beer, Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Silver: Hertog Jan Grand Prestige Brut, Hertog Jan, Breda, Netherlands
Bronze: Eschaton, Wild Heaven Beer Avondale, Decatur, GA

Category: 83: Belgian Fruit Beer – 70 Entries
Gold: Kriek, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI
Silver: Champ Du Blanc, New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus, WI
Bronze: Funk Yeah Peach, Beachwood Blendery, Huntington Beach, CA

Category: 84: English Mild or Bitter – 60 Entries
Gold: Extra Medium Mild, White Oak Brewing, Normal, IL
Silver: So Long, London, Two Frays Brewery, Pittsburgh, PA
Bronze: Chiastolite, Bighand Bros. Brewery, Kyoto, Japan

Category: 85: English Ale – 74 Entries
Gold: Union Jack, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA
Silver: Hopadillo, Karbach Brewing, Houston, TX
Bronze: Shanghai’d IPA, Old Town Brewing, Portland, OR

Category: 86: English-Style Brown Ale – 52 Entries
Gold: Burnout Brown, Mash Lab Brewing, Windsor, CO
Silver: Oscar Wanted a Brown Ale, Pizza Port Solana Beach, Solana Beach, CA
Bronze: Rojo, Barrio Brewing Co., Tucson, AZ

Category: 87: Brown Porter – 49 Entries
Gold: Skidder Brown Ale, Big Timber Brewing, Elkins, WV
Silver: Mother Fuggle, Eudora Brewing Co., Kettering, OH
Bronze: Daisen G Beer Stout, Daisen G Beer – Kumezakura Brewery Co.,
Saihaku-Gun, Japan

Category: 88: Robust Porter – 54 Entries
Gold: Ossuary, Ghost Town Brewing, Oakland, CA
Silver: Robust Porter, Reuben’s Brews, Seattle, WA
Bronze: Blimp Hangar Porter, Tustin Brewing Co., Tustin, CA

Category: 89: Sweet Stout or Cream Stout – 35 Entries
Gold: Moozie, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH
Silver: Hoochie Mama, StillFire Brewing, Suwanee, GA
Bronze: Korova, Gnarly Barley Brewing, Hammond, LA

Category: 90: Oatmeal Stout – 48 Entries
Gold: North Tower Stout, Earth Rider Brewery, Superior, WI
Silver: Opacus Oatmeal Stout, StormBreaker Brewing, Portland, OR
Bronze: Dragula, Insurgente, Tijuana, Mexico

Category: 91: British-Style Imperial Stout – 38 Entries
Gold: Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout, No-Li Brewhouse, Spokane, WA
Silver: Fayston Maple Imperial Stout, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield, VT
Bronze: Raven’s Revenge, Beachwood Brewing, Huntington Beach, CA

Category: 92: Old Ale or Strong Ale – 26 Entries
Gold: Mountain Man, Verboten Brewing, Loveland, CO
Silver: Forest Hills, Olde Hickory Brewery, Hickory, NC
Bronze: King in The Castle, Little Brother Brewing – Production,
Kernersville, NC

Category: 93: Irish-Style Red Ale – 97 Entries
Gold: Ridgetop Red, Silver City Brewery, Bremerton, WA
Silver: Outraged Daughters, Wise Man Brewing, Winston-Salem, NC
Bronze: Engine 402, Orange Hat Brewing, Knoxville, OH

Category: 94: Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout – 57 Entries
Gold: Minoh Beer Stout, Minoh Brewery, Minoh-shi, Japan
Silver: Sláinte, Legion Brewing Co., Charlotte, NC
Bronze: Lucky 4 Leaf, Danville Brewing Co., Danville, CA

Category: 95: Export Stout – 38 Entries
Gold: Starway, Barrel Mountain Brewing, Battle Ground, WA
Silver: Der Reisende, Adams Street Brewery, Chicago, IL
Bronze: Stoup Export Stout, Stoup Brewing – Capitol Hill, Seattle, WA

Category: 96: Scottish-Style Ale – 41 Entries
Gold: Stoneykirk Scottish Ale, Lost Street Brewing Co., Durant, OK
Silver: Dragoon Amber, Dragoon Brewing Co., Tucson, AZ
Bronze: The Fulkin, Half Batch Brewing, Hendersonville, TN

Category: 97: Scotch Ale – 44 Entries
Gold: Higher Consciousness, Third Eye Brewing Co., Cincinnati, OH
Silver: The Magnificent Scotch Ale, Silver City Brewery, Bremerton, WA
Bronze: Lord Grizzly, Lost Cabin Beer Co., Rapid City, SD

Category: 98: Golden or Blonde Ale – 102 Entries
Gold: Firemans #4, Real Ale Brewing Co., Blanco, TX
Silver: Now What?, Saddle Mountain Brewing Co., Goodyear, AZ
Bronze: Basecamp Blonde, Hutton & Smith Brewing Co., Chattanooga, TN

Category: 99: American-Style Pale Ale – 128 Entries
Gold: Necrocat, Ghost Town Brewing, Oakland, CA
Silver: Breakside Woodlawn Pale Ale, Breakside Brewery & Taproom,
Milwaukie, OR
Bronze: MadeWest Pale, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ventura, CA

Category: 100: Juicy or Hazy Pale Ale – 98 Entries
Gold: UCHU Relax, UCHU Brewing, Hokuto, Japan
Silver: Wisp, Lumen Beer Co., Omaha, NE
Bronze: Hop Magee, Danville Brewing Co., Danville, CA

Category: 101: American-Style Strong Pale Ale – 110 Entries
Gold: Mordant, Ghost Town Brewing, Oakland, CA
Silver: Westbound IPA, Westbound & Down Brewing Co., Lafayette, CO
Bronze: Gold Label Mai Tai P.A., Alvarado Street Brewery & Grill, Monterey,

Category: 102: Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale – 135 Entries
Gold: Hazy IPA, pFriem Family Brewers, Hood River, OR
Silver: Slice, Lumen Beer Co., Omaha, NE
Bronze: MadeWest Hazy IPA, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ventura, CA

Category: 103: Imperial India Pale Ale – 116 Entries
Gold: Punchface Champion, Grains of Wrath Brewing – Camas, Camas, WA
Silver: Fall On In, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ventura, CA
Bronze: House of Fu!, North Park Beer Co., San Diego, CA

Category: 104: Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale – 120 Entries
Gold: Juice Master, Shred Beer Co., Rocklin, CA
Silver: Contains No Juice, Alvarado Street Brewery, Salinas, CA
Bronze: For 4, Brothership Brewing, Mokena, IL

Category: 105: American-Style Amber/Red Ale – 98 Entries
Gold: Singing Coyote, Mountain Rambler Brewery, Bishop, CA
Silver: Matador Red, 818 Brewing, Canoga Park, CA
Bronze: First Amber, Stemma Brewing, Bellingham, WA

Category: 106: Strong Red Ale – 44 Entries
Gold: Peaked In High School, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle, WA
Silver: Side Hike, Kern River Brewing Co., Kernville, CA
Bronze: Imperial Red, Track 7 Brewing Co., Sacramento, CA

Category: 107: American-Style Brown Ale – 63 Entries
Gold: Brown Ale, Second Street Brewery, Santa Fe, NM
Silver: The Devil in John’s Brown, DevilCraft, Shinagawa-ku, Japan
Bronze: Boxcar Brown, Caboose Brewing Co., Vienna, VA

Category: 108: American-Black Ale or American-Style Stout – 69 Entries
Gold: Breakside Cheat Codes, Breakside Brewery & Taproom, Milwaukie, OR
Silver: American Stout, ColdFire Brewing – Production, Junction City, OR
Bronze: Blackside Snap, Riip Beer Co., Huntington Beach, CA

Category: 109: American-Style Imperial Stout – 44 Entries
Gold: Fulcrum Imperial Stout, ZwanzigZ Brewing, Columbus, IN
Silver: Thunderbolt Stout, Valhöll Brewing, Poulsbo, WA
Bronze: Lights Out, Project 9 Brewing, Seattle, WA

Category: 110: American-Style India Pale Ale – 208 Entries
Gold: Super Slap, Brewery X, Anaheim, CA
Silver: Party Crusher, Beachwood Brewing, Huntington Beach, CA
Bronze: Breakside IPA, Breakside Brewery & Taproom, Milwaukie, OR

Category: 111: Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale – 290 Entries
Gold: Shifted Visions, Everywhere, Orange, CA
Silver: How To Make Friends, Hana Koa Brewing Co., Honolulu, HI
Bronze: Riverside NEIPA, Guggman Haus Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN

Category: 112: West Coast-Style India Pale – 253 Entries
Gold: Mosaic Takedown, Pinthouse Brewing, Austin, TX
Silver: Chasmic Absorption Through Whirlpools of Disarray, Ghost Town
Brewing, Oakland, CA
Bronze: Terraform, Wayward Lane Brewing, Schoharie, NY

Category: 201: Tannic Cider
Gold: 2023 Cidre Bouché, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR
Silver: English Pub, Portland Cider Co., Clackamas, OR
Bronze: Kingston Black, Bauman’s Cider, Portland, OR

Category: 202: No/Low-Tannin Cider
Gold: Original Gold, Portland Cider Co., Clackamas, OR
Silver: Cosmic Crisp, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR
Bronze: 14th Anniversary, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR

Category: 203: Fruited Cider
Gold: Raspberry Cosmic Crisp, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR
Silver: Bramble, Papa Moon Ciders, Scottsbluff, NE
Bronze: Guava Hard Cider, Coronado Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

Category: 204: Botanical or Spiced Cider
Gold: Honey Lavender, Papa Moon Ciders, Scottsbluff, NE
Silver: Hard Candy Tamarind Earl Grey Cider, Hard Candy, Nanjing, China
Bronze: Apple Pie à La Mode, Six Byrd Cider, Tempe, AZ

Category: 205: Experimental, Barrel-Aged or Specialty Cider
Gold: 2019 Pommeau, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR
Silver: Mojave Brewing Barrel Aged Cider, Mojave Brewing Co., Henderson, NV
Bronze: Imperial Bad Apple – Westward Whiskey Barrel Cider, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Corvallis, OR

About the World Beer Cup

The World Beer Cup, often dubbed the “Olympics of Beer,” is the world’s largest and most prestigious international beer competition, organized by the Brewers Association, a trade group for American craft brewers. Founded in 1996 by Charlie Papazian, the competition was created to celebrate brewing excellence, initially pitting American craft beers against global traditions. From its modest start with around 20 international breweries, it has grown exponentially, with the 2024 event in Las Vegas seeing 9,300 entries from 2,060 breweries across 50 countries. Held biennially until 2022, when it became an annual event, the World Beer Cup has overcome challenges like the 2020 COVID-19 cancellation and expanded to include cider categories in 2025, reflecting its adaptability and commitment to the evolving beverage industry. Its blind judging by an elite panel of international experts ensures fairness, making medals a coveted symbol of quality and innovation.

The World Beer Cup is about more than just competition; it’s a global stage for showcasing the art and science of brewing. Beers and ciders are evaluated across numerous style categories—112 beer and 5 cider categories in 2025—based on technical precision, flavor, and adherence to style guidelines. Judged over multiple sessions (14 in 2025), the competition awards gold, silver, and bronze medals, though judges may withhold awards if entries fall short, emphasizing its high standards. Consolidation hubs in countries like Australia and the UK facilitate international participation, leveling the playing field for breweries worldwide. By recognizing both established and emerging brewers, the World Beer Cup fosters a sense of community, promotes diverse beer styles, and elevates consumer appreciation of craft brewing, cementing its role as a cornerstone of the global beer industry.

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Top 10 American Stouts Brewed in the USA
Here’s a list of the top 10 American stouts brewed in the USA, based on recent rankings, reviews, and results from the GABF and U.S. Open. These are selected for their quality, availability, and representation of the American stout style, which often features bold roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, and hoppy notes. I’ve focused on non-imperial stouts under 8% ABV to align with the classic American stout profile, excluding barrel-aged or pastry stouts unless noted, as per some source preferences.

1. Deschutes Obsidian Stout (Bend, OR, 6.4% ABV)
   A benchmark American stout with complex flavors of dark roasted coffee, chocolate, caramel, and subtle black licorice. American hops add citrus and pine resin notes, making it robust yet balanced. Widely praised for its drinkability and availability.
2. Sierra Nevada Stout (Chico, CA, 5.8% ABV)
   A style-defining stout with assertive roasted malt, cocoa, and a hoppy finish from Cascade and Yakima Golding hops. Its balance and accessibility make it a go-to for stout lovers.
3. Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout (Kalamazoo, MI, 6% ABV)
   Known for its freshly ground coffee and dark chocolate notes, this stout offers a creamy texture and true-to-style roasted malt character. Available in all 50 states, it’s a classic from a revered brewery.
4. Shovel Town Brewery Broad Blade Stout (North Easton, MA, 7% ABV)
   Broad Blade is velvety smooth, delivering flavors of bittersweet chocolate, cocoa, and a touch of coffee, complemented by a prominent yet balanced Chinook hop punch that adds resinous pine and medium-high bitterness, especially on the finish.
5. Anderson Valley Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout (Boonville, CA, 5.8% ABV)
   This oatmeal stout shines with rich chocolate, dried fruit, and a creamy mouthfeel from flaked oats. Its complexity and balance make it one of the best in its class.
6. Stoup Brewing Stoup American Stout(Seattle, WA, 6.6% ABV)
   This Stout is built on a grain bill of 2-row, Black Patent, Chocolate, and Crystal malts, with roasted barley adding a distinctive roasty touch, delivering a moderate alcohol warmth and noticeable bitterness.
7. Evolution Craft Brewing Rise Up Stout (Salisbury, MD, 6.7% ABV)
   A coffee-forward stout with roasted malt and a smooth finish. Its local popularity and balanced profile earned it a spot in blind tastings.
8. North Coast Old No. 38 Stout (Fort Bragg, CA, 5.4% ABV)
   A dry stout with robust roasted flavors, coffee, and dark chocolate. Its affordability and wide distribution make it a standout for everyday drinking.
9. Exile Brewing Sir Moch-a-lot Stout (Des Moines, IA, ~6% ABV)
   A well-crafted stout with caramel, chocolate, and roasted coffee flavors, finishing with a dry bitterness. A regional favorite that stands out in rankings.
10. Marble Brewery Cholo Stout (Albuquerque, NM, ~6% ABV)
    This stout offers a smooth blend of roasted malt, caramel, and coffee with a distinctive dry finish. It’s a top pick from the Southwest craft scene.

American Stout Profile:
An American stout is a robust, dark ale characterized by a bold, roasted malt profile and a distinctly American twist from hop usage. Here are its key characteristics:

Appearance: Deep brown to jet black, often opaque, with a creamy tan to brown head. Some may have ruby highlights when held to light.
Aroma: Dominant roasted malt scents, evoking espresso, dark chocolate, or burnt coffee, often with secondary notes of caramel, toffee, or dark fruit. American hops contribute citrus, pine, or resinous undertones.
Flavor: Intense roasted malt drives the taste, delivering coffee, cocoa, or char-like bitterness, balanced by moderate sweetness from caramel or crystal malts. American hops add a pronounced bitterness and flavors like grapefruit, pine, or earthy spice, setting it apart from sweeter stouts. Oatmeal or lactose (in milk stouts) may add creaminess.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied, with a smooth, sometimes velvety texture, especially in oatmeal or nitro versions. Carbonation is moderate, and alcohol warmth is subtle (typically 5-7% ABV, though some push higher).
Bitterness: Moderate to high (30-60 IBUs), reflecting American hop influence, unlike the softer bitterness of Irish or English stouts.
Ingredients: Roasted barley, black malt, or chocolate malt for color and roastiness; American hop varieties like Cascade, Centennial, or Chinook for bitterness and aroma; base malts like pale or Munich for body. Adjuncts like oats or lactose may enhance texture in substyles.
Distinguishing Traits: Compared to other stouts, American stouts are hoppier and less sweet than milk stouts, less boozy than imperial stouts, and more assertive than dry Irish stouts. They balance robust roast with hop-driven complexity.

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Top 10 West Coast IPAs
This Top Ten West Coast IPA list is from the U.S. Open Beer Championship, Great American Beer Festival, and World Beer Cup. West Coast IPAs are known for their hop-forward profiles, characterized by intense bitterness, piney, resinous, and citrusy flavors, with a crisp, dry finish. Below is a list of 10 highly regarded West Coast IPAs brewed in the United States, based on historical and current acclaim from beer enthusiasts, reviews, and industry sources. This list draws from available data, including web sources and recent posts on X, while prioritizing beers that align with the classic West Coast IPA style. Note that rankings can vary due to personal taste and evolving brewery offerings, but these are consistently celebrated examples.

1. Head Hunter IPA – Fat Head’s Brewery (Middleburg Heights, Ohio) ABV: 7.5%
Description: Though brewed outside the West Coast, it adheres to the style with aggressive hop bitterness, featuring Simcoe, Columbus, and Centennial hops for dank, piney, and citrusy flavors.
Why It Stands Out: Frequently tops lists for its bold, unapologetic hop profile, rivaling California originals.

2. Pliny the Elder – Russian River Brewing Company (Santa Rosa, California) ABV: 8%
Description: A pioneering Double IPA, Pliny the Elder is often cited as the gold standard for West Coast IPAs. It features a balanced yet intense hop profile with notes of pine, citrus, and resin, using hops like Simcoe, Centennial, and Amarillo. Its clarity and dryness embody the style.

3. Union Jack IPA – Firestone Walker Brewing (Paso Robles, California) ABV: 7%
Description: A balanced West Coast IPA with bright citrus, pine, and grapefruit notes, hopped with Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe. It has a clean malt backbone and crisp finish.
Why It Stands Out: Multiple award-winner at the Great American Beer Festival, known for its consistency and widespread appeal.

4.Pure Hoppiness – Alpine Beer Company (Alpine, California) ABV: 8%
Description: A Double IPA with a resinous, pine-heavy profile and citrus undertones, using a blend of American hops. It’s intensely hoppy yet surprisingly smooth.
Why It Stands Out: A cult favorite from a small brewery, often praised for its old-school West Coast character.

5. Liquid Gravity IPA – Liquid Gravity Brewing (San Luis Obispo, California)
ABV: 7%
Description: A modern West Coast IPA with a tropical and citrusy blast, hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe for a hoppy kick and smooth finish.
Why It Stands Out: Gaining attention for blending classic bitterness with newer hop varieties, as noted in recent X posts.

6. Unknown Depths – Societe Brewing (San Diego, California)
ABV: 7.2%
Description: A citrus-driven West Coast IPA with a strong hop presence, featuring notes of grapefruit and pine, and a clean, dry finish.
Why It Stands Out: Highlighted on X for its bold, consistent hoppiness, it’s a rising star in the San Diego craft scene.

7. IPA – Stone Brewing (Escondido, CA) ABV: 6.9%
Description: Piney and citrusy with Centennial and Columbus hops, delivering Stone’s signature bitterness.
Why It Stands Out: A cornerstone of the style, known for its unapologetic hop intensity.

8. Torpedo Extra IPA – Sierra Nevada Brewing (Chico, CA) ABV: 7.2%
Description: Pine, citrus, and slight caramel malt, amplified by Sierra Nevada’s “Hop Torpedo” dry-hopping device.
Why It Stands Out: A widely available pioneer, blending tradition with innovation.

9. Alpha Dank IPA – Hop Dogma Brewing Company (California)
Description: Bold, bitter profile with notes of pine, citrus, and tropical fruit, and may also include hints of earthy or dank notes.
Why It Stands Out: Gold Medal Winner at the 2024 U.S. Open Beer Championship

10. Codebreaker IPA – Trademark Brewing (Long Beach, CA)
Description: A vibrant 7.2% West Coast IPA featuring Cryo Simcoe and Mosaic hops for crisp, bitter citrus, grapefruit, and dank stonefruit flavors with a dry finish
Why It Stands Out: Gold Medal Winner at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival

 

History of West Coast IPAs

The West Coast IPA emerged in the late 20th century as a bold, hop-forward beer style rooted in the American craft brewing revolution. Originating in California during the 1970s and 1980s, brewers like Sierra Nevada and Anchor Brewing began experimenting with American hop varieties such as Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook, which imparted intense citrus, pine, and floral notes. Unlike the maltier, balanced IPAs of England, West Coast IPAs emphasized aggressive bitterness and dry finishes, with a clean malt backbone that let the hops shine. By the 1990s, breweries like Stone Brewing and Green Flash amplified this style, pushing IBUs (International Bitterness Units) higher and creating iconic beers like Stone IPA and Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing, which became benchmarks for the style. The West Coast IPA’s clarity, hop intensity, and refreshing drinkability made it a staple of the craft beer movement, spreading from San Diego to Portland and beyond.

In the 2000s and 2010s, the West Coast IPA solidified its place as a cornerstone of American craft beer, though it faced competition from newer styles like hazy, juicy New England IPAs. Its influence persisted as brewers refined the style, incorporating modern hop varieties like Citra and Mosaic for more tropical and stone fruit flavors while maintaining the style’s signature bitterness and crispness. The rise of double and triple IPAs pushed alcohol content and hop intensity even further, catering to hop enthusiasts. Despite evolving tastes, the West Coast IPA remains a beloved classic, with its legacy evident in the enduring popularity of beers like Sierra Nevada’s Torpedo Extra IPA and the continued innovation by West Coast breweries. Its history reflects the fearless experimentation and hop obsession that defined American craft brewing.

Top 10 Beers in America – Ales  Lagers  Specialty  Barrel Aged

FREDERICK, Maryland — Flying Dog Brewery is flipping the script on bold beers with the launch of Underdog Easy IPA—a bright, refreshing brew that proves less can definitely be more. Clocking in at just 4.7% ABV, this easy-drinking IPA is made for craft beer fans who crave full flavor without the heavy hit.

Bold Flavor, Light Touch

Crafted with Citra and Amarillo hops, Underdog Easy IPA shines with juicy notes of pineapple, orange citrus, and a burst of tropical fruit. It’s the go-to brew for kicking back after work, lounging on the weekend, or fueling your next backyard hang. Crisp, smooth, and endlessly crushable—this underdog has some serious bite.

IPA for the Mindful Sipper

With more beer drinkers leaning into moderation, Flying Dog is stepping up with a sessionable IPA that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Underdog Easy IPA is the answer for those who want a flavorful pint without the high ABV—perfect for long sessions and easy sipping.

Tasting Breakdown:

• Aroma: Citrus zest, pineapple, and light tropical tones

• Look: Clear golden pour with a frothy white head

• Flavor: Bright citrus and tropical fruit balanced by a clean, crisp finish

• ABV: 4.7%

Ready to Run with the Underdog?
Find Underdog Easy IPA wherever Flying Dog is sold and discover why beer lovers are calling it the next big thing in mindful drinking. Because sometimes, the best beers don’t shout—they just sip smoothly.

About Flying Dog Brewery
Flying Dog Brewery, once based in Frederick, Maryland and now owned by the F.X. Matt Brewing, is one of the most iconic and irreverent names in American craft beer. Known for its bold flavors, boundary-pushing brews, and eye-catching Ralph Steadman artwork, Flying Dog has built a loyal following since its founding in 1990. From hop-heavy IPAs to creative seasonal releases, the brewery continues to innovate while staying true to its rebellious roots. With a commitment to quality, creativity, and craft beer culture, Flying Dog remains a standout in the ever-evolving beer landscape.

Looking for beer festival – Top 10 Beer Festivals in America

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race: America’s Last Great Race
Every March, teams of mushers and their sled dogs embark on one of the most grueling endurance races in the world—the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Spanning approximately 1,000 miles across the harsh Alaskan wilderness, the race tests the limits of human and canine endurance, skill, and determination. Known as The Last Great Race on Earth, the Iditarod is a defining event in sled dog racing and a cherished Alaskan tradition.

The Origins of the Iditarod
The race traces its roots back to Alaska’s early history, when dog sledding was the primary mode of winter transportation. The Iditarod Trail, originally a mail and supply route between coastal towns and remote mining camps, became legendary in 1925 during the famous Serum Run to Nome. A deadly diphtheria outbreak threatened the town of Nome, and a relay of dog sled teams raced to deliver life-saving medicine across nearly 700 miles in brutal Arctic conditions. The heroic efforts of mushers and their dogs, including the famous Balto and Togo, cemented sled dog racing as an iconic part of Alaskan heritage.

However, with the rise of snowmobiles, dog sledding declined, and the historic trail was at risk of being forgotten. In 1973, Alaskan musher Joe Redington Sr. organized the first official Iditarod race to honor the legacy of sled dogs and preserve the tradition of long-distance mushing.

The Racecourse: A Journey Through Alaska’s Wildest Terrain
The modern Iditarod follows the historic trail between Anchorage and Nome, traversing some of the most rugged and remote landscapes in the world. The race alternates between two routes:

The Northern Route (even-numbered years)
The Southern Route (odd-numbered years)

Both routes cover over 1,000 miles, passing through dense forests, frozen rivers, windswept tundra, and treacherous mountain ranges. Racers must navigate blizzards, whiteouts, subzero temperatures (as low as -50°F), and gale-force winds, all while ensuring the health and safety of their sled dog teams.

Notable Checkpoints Along the Trail
🔹 Anchorage – The ceremonial start of the race, full of festivities and fanfare.
🔹 Rainy Pass – One of the most dangerous stretches, as mushers cross the Alaska Range.
🔹 Rohn – A remote checkpoint in the heart of the wilderness.
🔹 Iditarod – The ghost town that gives the race its name.
🔹 Shaktoolik – A brutal, wind-battered section along the Bering Sea coast.
🔹 Nome – The legendary finish line where victory is celebrated.

The Mushers & Their Teams
Mushers are the heart of the Iditarod, spending months (or even years) training for the race. They must be skilled in survival, navigation, and dog care, as they guide their 12 to 16 sled dogs across the perilous landscape. Each team must carefully manage supplies, food, and rest, as well as mandatory checkpoints where veterinarians check the health of the dogs.

Legendary mushers such as Rick Swenson (five-time champion), Susan Butcher (four-time champion and the first woman to dominate the race), Lance Mackey, and Dallas Seavey have left their mark on Iditarod history.

The Sled Dogs: True Canine Athletes
The true stars of the Iditarod are the Alaskan Huskies, a breed known for its incredible endurance, strength, and cold-weather adaptability. These dogs can run up to 100 miles per day and thrive in extreme winter conditions. Each sled dog burns an astonishing 10,000+ calories daily, requiring a diet rich in meat, fish, and fat to sustain their energy levels.

Veterinarians monitor the health of the dogs at every checkpoint, ensuring they receive proper care and rest. Mushers also take pride in their bond with the dogs, treating them as both athletes and beloved companions.

Challenges & Controversies
The Iditarod is a race of survival, but it has also faced criticism over dog welfare concerns. While many mushers prioritize their dogs’ health, some organizations have raised questions about racing conditions and potential risks. The race has implemented strict veterinary checks, mandatory rest periods, and disqualification rules to promote the safety of the dogs.

Additionally, climate change has begun to affect the course, with warmer temperatures and melting snow creating unpredictable trail conditions.

A Lasting Legacy
Despite its challenges, the Iditarod remains an enduring symbol of Alaska’s history, resilience, and pioneering spirit. It honors the traditions of early mushers, the incredible athleticism of sled dogs, and the thrill of adventure in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

Whether it’s the drama of a neck-and-neck finish or the sheer determination of a musher and their team battling through a storm, the Iditarod continues to captivate the world each year. For those who dare to take on The Last Great Race, the journey is not just about winning—it’s about survival, teamwork, and the unbreakable bond between human and dog.

List of winners of all the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race 
Year Musher
1973 Dick Wilmarth
1974 Carl Huntington
1975 Emmitt Peters
1976 Gerald Riley
1977 Rick Swenson
1978 Dick Mackey
1979 Rick Swenson
1980 Joe May
1981 Rick Swenson
1982 Rick Swenson
1983 Rick Mackey
1984 Dean Osmar
1985 Libby Riddles
1986 Susan Butcher
1987 Susan Butcher
1988 Susan Butcher
1989 Joe Runyan
1990 Susan Butcher
1991 Rick Swenson
1992 Martin Buser
1993 Jeff King
1994 Martin Buser
1995 Doug Swingley
1996 Jeff King
1997 Martin Buser
1998 Jeff King
1999 Doug Swingley
2000 Doug Swingley
2002 Martin Buser
2003 Robert Sørlie
2004 Mitch Seavey
2005 Robert Sørlie
2006 Jeff King
2007 Lance Mackey
2008 Lance Mackey
2009 Lance Mackey
2010 Lance Mackey
2011 John Baker
2012 Dallas Seavey
2013 Mitch Seavey
2014 Dallas Seavey
2015 Dallas Seavey
2016 Dallas Seavey
2017 Mitch Seavey
2018 Joar Leifseth
2019 Peter Kaiser
2020 Thomas Wærner
2021 Dallas Seavey
2022 Brent Sass
2023 Ryan Redington
2024 Dallas Seavey

 

 

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