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2026 Ohio Beer Awards Winners: Inaugural Statewide Craft Beer Competition Results

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The 2026 Ohio Beer Awards, the inaugural statewide competition presented by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association and proudly sponsored by Lagersmith, celebrated the exceptional talent and innovation of Ohio’s craft brewers, cider makers, and mead producers. With nearly 500 entries submitted from over 100 breweries, cideries, and meaderies across the Buckeye State, expert judges blind-tasted beers in 26 diverse categories during judging sessions held January 19–21 at MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati. Winners were announced on February 16 at a lively ceremony at Seventh Son Brewing in Columbus, where 47 producers earned well-deserved gold, silver, and bronze medals. Highlights included Masthead Brewing and Noble Beast Brewing (both from Cleveland) sharing Brewery of the Year honors for their standout medal hauls, alongside special recognitions like the Aluminate Award for Best Can Design. This exciting new event shines a spotlight on Ohio’s thriving craft beverage scene, highlighting the quality, creativity, and community spirit that make Buckeye State beers, ciders, and meads among the best in the nation.

Ohio Craft Beer Medal Winners
Category 1: European Pilsner
Gold: Daytonian Rhapsody, Eudora Brewing Company, Kettering, Ohio
Silver: Geist der Glocke, Bell Tower Brewing Co., Kent, Ohio
Bronze: Golem, Gemüt Biergarten, Columbus, Ohio

Category 2: Golden, Blonde and Other Light Ales
Gold: Sampsel House Kölsch, Uniontown Brewing Co., Ashland, Ohio
Silver: Little Kings Cream Ale, Cincinnati Beverage Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Hungarian Pearl, Immigrant Son Brewery, Lakewood, Ohio

Category 3: Hoppy Lagers
Gold: Stinkin Lincoln New Zealand Pilsner, Uniontown Brewing Co., Ashland, Ohio
Silver: IPL Eins, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery, Fresno, Ohio
Bronze: Scusi, Traum Brewing, Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Category 4: Light European Lagers
Gold: Rustic Helles, Wooly Pig Farm Brewery, Fresno, Ohio
Silver: Brewer, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Lakeshore Lager, Collision Bend Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio

Category 5: Dark European Lagers
Gold: Svartalfheim, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Silver: Tmavé Pivo, Birdfish Brewing Company, Columbiana, Ohio
Bronze: Rubezahl, Gemüt Biergarten, Columbus, Ohio

Category 6: World Lagers
Gold: Float Day, Yellow Springs Brewery, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Silver: Shower Beer, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Multinational Pilsner, Crooked Can Brewing Company, Hilliard, Ohio

Category 7: Porter and Stout
Gold: Punderson Porter, Bummin’ Beaver Brewery, Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Silver: Shuck Yeah, The 1547 Project, Cortland, Ohio
Bronze: Porter, The Brew Brothers, Columbus, Ohio

Category 8: Classic UK and American Styles
Gold: Old School, Three Tigers Brewing, Granville, Ohio
Silver: All the Leaves, Broadview Brewing Company, Broadview Heights, Ohio
Bronze: Stone Fort, Seventh Son Brewing Co., Columbus, Ohio

Category 9: Belgian Beers, German Wheat Beers and Traditional Brett Beers
Gold: Valor, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Silver: Hefeweizen, JAFB Wooster Brewery, Wooster, Ohio
Bronze: Captain Stardust, Yellow Springs Brewery, Yellow Springs, Ohio

Category 10: Red Beers
Gold: Ida Love a Red, Red Wagon Brewing, Columbia Station, Ohio
Silver: Frontline, Akronym Brewing, Akron, Ohio
Bronze: Scot’s an Evil Man, Schnitz Ale Brewery, Parma, Ohio

Category 11: Strong Beers
Gold: Old Dick, New Berlin Brewing Company, North Canton, Ohio
Silver: Brasky, Combustion Brewery & Taproom, Pickerington, Ohio
Bronze: We Don’t Rat, We Don’t Run 2025, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio

Category 12: Sessionable Hoppy Beers
Gold: Henry, Akronym Brewing, Akron, Ohio
Silver: Light Rajah, The Brew Kettle, Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Bronze: Small Axe, Three Tigers Brewing, Granville, Ohio

Category 13: American IPA
Gold: Ca$h After Ten, Ghost Tree Brewing Company, Amherst, Ohio
Silver: Evil Motives, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: JAF IPA, JAFB Wooster Brewery, Wooster, Ohio

Category 14: West Coast IPA
Gold: Danko, Three Tigers Brewing, Granville, Ohio
Silver: The Cleveland Experiment V7, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Isolated IPA, JAFB Wooster Brewery, Wooster, Ohio

Category 15: Hazy, Juicy, New England IPA
Gold: Fast Friends, Derive Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Creative Space, Yellow Springs Brewery, Yellow Springs, Ohio
Bronze: Captain Hazy, Collision Bend Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio

Category 16: Imperial IPA and Dark Hoppy Beers
Gold: The Word, Collision Bend Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Silver: Turtlenecks and Gold Chains, Derive Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio
Bronze: Now We’re Talkin’, Combustion Brewery & Taproom, Pickerington, Ohio

Category 17: Barrel-Aged Beers
Gold: Celestial Reserve (Dow’s 65th Birthday Blend), Third Eye Brewing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
Silver: Pounding Husks, Wandering Monsters Brewing, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Bag of Hammers, Akronym Brewing (in collaboration with The Brew Kettle), Akron, Ohio

Category 18: Barrel-Aged Stout
Gold: Faded Echoes – Ivory Depths, Counterbalance Brewing, Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Underverse, Masthead Brewing Company, Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Barrel Aged Cheap Heat, Streetside Brewery, Cincinnati, Ohio

Category 19: Spiced Holiday Beers
Gold: Winter Warmer, New Berlin Brewing Company, North Canton, Ohio
Silver: Slow Toboggan, Brink Brewing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: John Dough, Wandering Monsters Brewing, Cincinnati, Ohio

Category 20: Flavored Beers
Gold: Fox in the Stout, Seventh Son Brewing Co., Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Chunkzilla, Wandering Monsters Brewing, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Chai Spiced Imperial Stout, Parsons North Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio

Category 22: Fruit Beers
Gold: Cha-Cha-Cha… Cherry Bomb!, Four Paws Brewing, Columbia Station, Ohio
Silver: Blood Brothers, Hop Brothers Brewing Company, North Ridgeville, Ohio
Bronze: Nightfall, Traum Brewing, Upper Sandusky, Ohio

Category 23: Coffee Beer
Gold: Wired Euphoria, Third Eye Brewing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio
Silver: Good Morning 818, Southern Ohio Brewing, Beavercreek, Ohio
Bronze: The Daily Grind, Akronym Brewing, Akron, Ohio

Category 24: Historical Beer, Smoked Beer, Experimental Beer and Specialty Beverages
Gold: Rauchfräug Strong Märzen Lager, Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, Akron, Ohio
Silver: Lee Morgan, GlendAlehouse, Cincinnati, Ohio
Bronze: Hanayori Mo Bīru, Eighty-Three Brewery, Akron, Ohio

Category 25: Sour and Mixed Culture Beers
Gold: Barrel Aged Flemish Kriek, Parsons North Brewing Company, Columbus, Ohio
Silver: Eau Rouge, Noble Beast Brewing Co., Cleveland, Ohio
Bronze: Reverie, Edison Brewing Company, Gahanna, Ohio

Category 26: Cider
Gold: Kelly’s Dry, West End Ciderhouse, Athens, Ohio
Silver: Shell Jelly, Funky Turtle Brewing Co., Toledo, Ohio
Bronze: TinCap Pineapple, TinCap Hard Cider, Wilmington, Ohio

Category 27: Mead
Gold: MVWS, Four Fires Meadery, Maumee, Ohio
Silver: Booty Blue, Dutch Creek Winery, Athens, Ohio
Bronze: Stonefruit Slow Jams, Four Fires Meadery, Maumee, Ohio

About the Ohio Craft Brewers Association
The Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA), founded in 2008 as a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization, was established to unify Ohio’s brewing community, market Ohio-manufactured craft beers throughout the state and beyond, and advocate for a strong, thriving beer industry.

Over the past 18 years, the OCBA has grown into the official unified voice for the state’s craft brewers, with a mission “to promote, preserve, diversify, and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry.” The association represents hundreds of operating breweries, breweries-in-planning, allied trade partners, and enthusiast supporters through tiered memberships—including Brewery, Allied, and Enthusiast levels—that deliver marketing and promotional support, legislative advocacy, educational programming such as the annual Ohio Craft Brewers Conference, signature events like Ohio Pint Day, and a collaborative network that fosters industry growth and camaraderie. Today, OCBA member breweries and partners help drive Ohio’s dynamic craft beer scene, which boasts more than 440 licensed craft breweries (ranking 8th nationally) and contributes nearly $3 billion in total economic impact to the state.

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

 

Lone Tree Brewing Parker Turns 2! Wee Heavy Return, Live Music & Anniversary Party – Feb 28, 2026

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Lone Tree Brewing Parker Turns 2! Wee Heavy Return, Live Music & Anniversary Party – Feb 28, 2026
Photo Credit: Lone Tree Brewing Company

Grab your crew, raise a pint, and let’s DOUBLE DOWN because Lone Tree Brewing’s Parker spot is turning TWO and throwing the kind of party that screams “Colorado craft beer good times”!

Back in early 2024, Lone Tree Brewing rolled into Parker and quickly turned their second home into the go-to neighborhood hangout. This spot isn’t just any taproom—it’s their pilot brewery playground for dreaming up new recipes, and it’s become a legit community hub faster than you can say “cheers!”

Candace Peterson, our Director of Tasting Rooms, sums it up perfectly: “We’re straight-up forever grateful to the Parker fam who’s welcomed us with open arms and made us feel like home. Shoutout to our killer bar crew who sling pints with smiles, and our brewers who grind daily to pour the best stuff possible. You all make the magic happen!”

So mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28—we’re going all-in from 11am to 8pm at Lone Tree Brewing Parker (18425 Pony Express Drive, Parker, CO 80134). Here’s the lineup to get your weekend buzzing:

  • Swing by early to score those sweet, limited-edition 2nd Anniversary glassware drops (they’re going fast—once they’re gone, poof!)
  • 1–4pm: Live tunes from the one and only Jon Ham—bring your dancing shoes (or just your nodding head)
  • All day long: Fuel up with grub from 2 Salty Sarges food truck
  • 1–4pm: Sweet s’mores action courtesy of S’MORES TIME (because beer + fire-roasted marshmallows = winning combo)
  • 5–8pm: Channel your inner high-roller with games like blackjack and roulette
  • 7–9pm: Wrap the night with epic Music Bingo—test your playlist knowledge while sipping

It’s all open to the public, so rally the squad, bring your buddies, and come celebrate two years of great beer, great vibes, and even greater people.

Oh, and the star of the show? A special small-batch return of our beloved Wee Heavy—that rich, malty Scotch Ale beast that’s always a fan favorite. Pouring fresh just for the occasion!

Lone Tree Brewing kicked things off as the OG brewery in Lone Tree back in 2011, and we’ve been slinging stylistically diverse, crushable beers ever since. From our flagship spot near Park Meadows Mall to our Parker outpost, we’re all about growing friends over pints. Grab our cans or drafts in Colorado and Kansas—perfect for backyard hangs with your crew.

See you on the 28th—let’s make it a legendary one!

About Lone Tree Brewing:
Tree Brewing Company has been a beloved staple in Colorado’s craft beer scene since opening its doors in 2011 as the first brewery in Lone Tree, located in Denver’s vibrant South Metro area. Nestled conveniently near Park Meadows Mall off Park Meadows Drive, this independent, neighborhood-focused spot crafts a diverse lineup of hand-crafted beers, from crisp lagers and rich stouts to flavorful reds and innovative seasonal releases. With a strong emphasis on community, the tasting room welcomes families, furry friends (it’s one of the few Denver-area breweries that allows dogs inside), and locals alike for events like trivia nights, running club meetups, Brewery Bootcamp workouts, and nonprofit support. Whether you’re grabbing a pint of their flagship favorites or exploring limited releases, Lone Tree Brewing delivers approachable, high-quality brews rooted in Colorado’s love for great beer and good company.

Expanding its reach while staying true to its roots, Lone Tree Brewing now operates two welcoming locations, including a thriving satellite taproom in nearby Parker that serves as a hub for recipe innovation and community gatherings. Visitors rave about the relaxed, family-friendly vibe, excellent beer selection that appeals to every palate, and the perfect environment for unwinding after a day of exploring the area. From year-round core offerings to creative specials like stout month highlights, Lone Tree continues to build loyal fans through consistent quality, engaging events, and a genuine commitment to the South Denver communities it calls home—making it an essential stop for anyone seeking authentic Colorado craft beer experiences.

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

Highland Brewing Rings in the Year of the Fire Horse with Epic Lunar New Year Vibes, Special AAPI-Brewed Releases & Community Magic

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Highland Brewing Co. Debuts Rebrand - The Beer Connoisseur®

Hey craft beer fam—ready to kick off 2026’s Year of the Fire Horse (think bold energy, blazing speed, good fortune, and straight-up resilience) the right way? Grab your crew and head to Highland Brewing in Asheville, NC’s hilltop oasis for a weekend-long Lunar New Year blowout that’s equal parts heritage celebration, hoppy goodness, and unbreakable community spirit!

Founded in 1994 by Chinese-Jamaican immigrant and engineering legend Oscar Wong (yep, he started Asheville’s craft beer revolution!), Highland has been pouring award-winners like the iconic Gaelic Ale (that original amber legend), juicy Highland Haze IPA, and chill Daycation series for over 30 years. As a proud Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI)-led, family-owned, woman-led brewery (shoutout to President/CEO Leah Wong Ashburn, Oscar’s daughter), they’re all about blending roots, innovation, and killer pints.

This year’s festivities hit extra hard—coming off Hurricane Helene’s tough 2024 aftermath, where Highland stepped up BIG: raising $13K+ for hospitality workers, turning their taproom/warehouse into a relief hub, and keeping the community hydrated and fed. Now, a year+ later, the Lunar New Year toast is all about new beginnings, good luck, and bouncing back stronger—Fire Horse style!

Leah Wong Ashburn nails it: “Lunar New Year is about gathering with friends and family over traditions and flavors we love. We’re honoring our roots as Asheville’s OG craft brewery, celebrating the community’s grit over the past year and a half, and sharing joy, fresh starts, and good vibes with everyone.”
Star of the Show: Fire Horse Chocolate Porter

Highland’s back with their annual coast-to-coast collab with Seattle’s Asian-owned Lucky Envelope Brewing—this rich, roasty Fire Horse Chocolate Porter brings deep dark chocolate vibes, layered malts, a touch of smoked sea salt + cinnamon magic, and a warm, bold finish that screams Fire Horse energy. Limited and legendary—don’t sleep on it!
Weekend Highlights – Feb 21-22 at Highland’s 40-Acre Hilltop Campus

Saturday, Feb 21: Taproom & Event Center transformation (11am–3pm-ish vibes) with live dragon dance performances, food trucks rolling, family-friendly fun, and the on-site-only drop of four special Lunar New Year brews in a festive flight:

Fire Horse Chocolate Porter (the collab hero)
Luck Red Ale
Good Fortune Rice Lager
Joy Wheat Ale with lemongrass & ginger

Evening glow-up: Glow-in-the-Dark Disc Golf Tournament (6-9pm) on the course—think neon discs, prizes (including Fire Horse bottles!), and pure fun under the lights.
Sunday, Feb 22: Epic Dim Sum Brunch with Chef J Chong (J Chong Eats, Big Brunch finalist)—a modern twist on classic dim sum dishes symbolizing prosperity, luck, longevity, and happiness, perfectly paired with Highland beers.

This is more than beer—it’s a vibrant, inclusive festival celebrating Asian brewing heritage (Asia’s been brewing since ~7000 BCE, yet only ~2% of U.S. breweries are Asian-owned—Highland’s changing that narrative with flavor and heart!).
As the Southeast’s largest family-owned native brewery (distributing across NC, SC, TN, GA), Highland keeps it real: massive solar array for sustainability, tours, live music, and big expansions coming in 2026 (outdoor retail shop, rock-climbing gym, pizza spot—yes please!).
Swing by Highland Brewing’s campus, raise a pint to resilience and good fortune, and toast the Year of the Fire Horse with some of the best AAPI-brewed craft beer out there. See you on the hill—let’s make it epic! 🐎🔥🍻✨

About Highland Brewing

Highland Brewing pioneered Asheville’s craft scene in 1994, founded by retired engineer Oscar Wong. Since 2016, it’s been proudly woman-led by his daughter, Leah Wong Ashburn. As a minority-founded, family-owned powerhouse, they brew classics and innovate with sustainability (one of the largest solar setups in U.S. craft beer). Visit for limited releases, events, and good times—more upgrades on the way in 2026!

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

TailGate Brewery Releases a New Year Round IPA, Wizard’s Order

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Hey Tennessee beer lovers—get ready to level up your fridge and taproom game because TailGate Brewery just cast a permanent spell with their newest year-round release: Wizard’s Order IPA (6% ABV). This hop-forward wizard is joining the core lineup alongside the legendary TailGate Orange Wheat, and it’s hitting draft lines and 6-packs of 12oz cans at retailers statewide right now!

This isn’t some quick conjured brew—it’s the result of over a year (some say closer to 2.5 years!) of serious R&D wizardry by the TailGate crew. They first unleashed the Wizards’ Order series as rotating experiments last year, tweaking hops, gathering feedback, and dialing in the perfect potion. The crowd went wild, so now it’s officially here to stay. Pure craft beer sorcery!

Brewed with Krush and Citra hops, barley and wheat malts, Wizard’s Order bursts with juicy vibes: think ripe mango, passionfruit, and bright fresh orange zest, all balanced on a medium body with subtle bread and caramel notes for that smooth, crushable finish. Tropical, hoppy, refreshing—it’s the IPA you’ve been wishing for!
“Through this R&D grind, we get to play mad scientist, listen to what our fans love, perfect the recipe, and drop the absolute best version possible,” says Wesley Keegan, TailGate’s founder and sole owner. “That’s how we keep the magic alive.”

Grab a pint (or a sixer) at one of TailGate’s taprooms across Tennessee—perfect spots to pair it with their scratch-made pizza. Pro tip: Wizard’s Order’s bright, hoppy kick is pure fire next to the Spicy Vodka Pizza—that vodka sauce base, mozzarella, pepperoni, ricotta dollops, and hot honey drizzle? Chef’s kiss meets hoppy heaven.
Find it now at all TailGate locations (from Nashville HQ to Chattanooga and beyond) or your local craft beer spot. Swing by, raise a glass, and toast to independent Tennessee brewing done right.

About TailGate Brewery

TailGate Brewery is a proudly independent craft brewery and pizzeria headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2014. With eight taprooms across the state (plus an airport outpost), they sling inventive beers, scratch-made pizzas, and killer vibes. Known for treating their 250+ team members like family—with great wages, 100% paid health benefits, and an awesome workplace—they brew four award-winning year-round stars: TailGate Orange Wheat, Lager Projekt, Wizard’s Order IPA, and TailGate Cider. Plus, over 300 unique recipes annually and fresh small-batch drops weekly (taproom exclusives only!). TailGate beers are available in cans and on draft at retailers, restaurants, and craft spots throughout Tennessee.

Cheers to the new core king—Wizard’s Order IPA is casting spells statewide!

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St. Louis Beer Scene Earns Four Nominations in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Awards

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St. Louis continues to prove why it’s one of America’s most respected beer cities. The region has secured four nominations in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, reinforcing its reputation as a top destination for craft beer lovers. Voting runs through late February, with winners announced in early March.

This year’s nominations highlight the depth and diversity of the St. Louis brewing community:

These categories reflect both the city’s historic brewing legacy and its continually evolving craft beer culture.

A Changing, Strengthening St. Louis Craft Beer Landscape

According to Troika Brodsky, executive director of STL Beer, the St. Louis beer scene has transformed significantly since the pre‑COVID era.

“The pre‑COVID St. Louis beer scene feels like a different era,” Brodsky says. “The last six years brought real disruption—rising costs, supply chain pressures, shifting consumer habits, and tough decisions that led to some brewery closures. Not everything snapped back to ‘normal,’ and pretending otherwise wouldn’t be honest.”

Despite those challenges, he says the region’s breweries have emerged more focused and more innovative.

“Brewers today are more disciplined, more innovative, and more intentional than ever,” Brodsky adds. “While some beloved breweries were lost, new ones emerged, others evolved, and the overall quality, creativity, and professionalism of the scene has continued to rise.”

This evolution positions St. Louis as a standout destination for beer tourism and craft beer exploration.

National Recognition Boosts St. Louis Beer Tourism

For STL Beer creative director Brian Margiotta, the USA Today 10Best spotlight helps broaden national awareness of the city’s modern brewing identity.

“National recognition helps put St. Louis on the map as a beer destination,” Margiotta says. “That kind of attention brings new eyes to our brewing scene and often to the city itself, prompting visitors to check out our neighborhoods, restaurants, shops, and other local businesses.”

He notes that many visitors still associate St. Louis primarily with Anheuser‑Busch, but the craft beer offerings now span an impressive range of styles.

“You can find everything from stouts, saisons, sours, and hazy IPAs to classic styles and even several breweries that focus heavily on the style that helped put St. Louis on the map: lagers,” Margiotta says. “Simply put, there’s a beer for everyone in St. Louis.”

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