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2023 Canada Beer Cup Awards

October 27, 2023 by Spencer Mapes

OTTAWA, Ontario – The 2023 Canada Beer Cup competition presented awards in 66 distinct style groups across 11 categories, as evaluated by a panel of elite Canadian and international beer experts, overseen by internationally acclaimed beer writer and author Stephen Beaumont.

For the complete list of the 2023 Canada Beer Cup Awards, click here.

About the Canada Beer Cup

The Canada Beer Cup is a national competition celebrating independently owned and operated breweries across Canada. It showcases quality and innovation in craft beer from coast to coast to coast.

International Judges
Judges from Europe, the U.K., the United States and across Canada will join head judge Stephen Beaumont, one of the nation’s foremost authorities on beer. Hosting these top international judges will help bring global attention and recognition to Canadian craft brewing excellence.

The Cup
The prestigious Canada Beer Cup trophy will be awarded to a single distinguished beer—the ‘Best In Show’—as selected by an elite judging panel. All beers entered in any Style will be automatically eligible to receive the Canada Beer Cup.

For the Industry, by the Industry
Most importantly, the Canada Beer Cup is a competition for the industry by the industry, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Craft Brewers Association in support of the important work it does on behalf of craft breweries across the country.

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

Samuel Adams Celebrates 15 Years of Brewing the American Dream and $100 Million in Small Business Funding

August 22, 2023 by Spencer Mapes

BOSTON, Massachusetts – As Brewing the American Dream celebrates 15 years supporting small food and beverage businesses across the U.S., Samuel Adams today announces that its priority philanthropy program has surpassed $100 million of funding. This milestone commemorates the program’s dedication to uplifting devoted craftspeople everywhere in partnership with nonprofit lenders like Accion Opportunity Fund.

Established in 2008, Brewing the American Dream was born out of the same passion that led Sam Adams founder and brewer, Jim Koch, to start the craft beer revolution. Koch recognized that despite being the heartbeat of our country, food and beverage entrepreneurs are often underrepresented and underfunded. He set out to support them with valuable resources and much-needed access to capital. 15 years later, Brewing the American Dream celebrates $100 million in loan funding to more than 4,200 small business owners, with coaching and mentorship provided to 14,000 entrepreneurs who have created or retained more than 11,000 local jobs nationwide. Moreover, identifying the unique barriers they face, Brewing the American Dream has proudly championed a network of businesses that are 76% BIPOC-owned and 63% female-owned.

“There could not be a better way to celebrate our 15th year than with this incredible milestone. How time flies when you are doing what you love and get to help others do the same,” said Jennifer Glanville Love, Director of Partnerships & Collaborations at Boston Beer Company. “We are immensely grateful to have supported so many deeply impassioned entrepreneurs who fearlessly chase their dreams each day–and that’s really what $100 million represents for us, more dreams realized.”

Amidst the current economic landscape, access to affordable capital is critical for aspiring food & beverage entrepreneurs. Yet, the program’s impact stretches well beyond funding. It boasts a dynamic breadth of initiatives that offer business advice and discipline-specific education to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to run a healthy, growing enterprise.

Brewing the American Dream’s unique program roster retains year-round efforts like Speed Coaching and Pitch Room Competitions, the latter of which has awarded a total of $500,000 to finalists in various markets across the country. Another program staple, the Brewing & Business Experienceship, is now in its 12th year of selecting one lucky craft brewer to work side-by-side with experts at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery.

Showing no signs of slowing down, the program saw a 25% increase in coaching and event attendance in the last year alone. Through years of successfully executing signature programs and working hand-in-hand with entrepreneurs, Brewing the American has maintained a keen pulse on the evolving needs of today’s small business owner. This experienced insight and demand has led to recent program additions such as food styling and photography coaching in 2022 and an inaugural Bootcamp intensive that launched in May of this year.

“Samuel Adams has been a steadfast supporter of small food and beverage businesses over the past 15 years,” said Luz Urrutia, CEO of Accion Opportunity Fund. “Working creatively alongside a variety of local non-profit partners over that time, they have expanded access not only to critical capital that these businesses need to grow, but also to valuable learning, networking, and promotional opportunities to support their success. We at Accion Opportunity Fund are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continued collaboration.”

As the food & beverage community remains a powerful thread in the country’s DNA, Brewing the American Dream is committed to being an ever-evolving resource for the dreamers that make it stronger each day.

About Brewing the American Dream

In 2008, Samuel Adams launched its core philanthropic initiative, Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream. In partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund, one of the nation’s largest non-profit small business lenders, the program supports small business owners in the food, beverage, and brewing industries through access to business capital, coaching, and new market opportunities. The goal is to help strengthen small businesses, create local jobs, and build vibrant communities. Since the inception of the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program, Brewing the American Dream has worked together with Accion Opportunity Fund and other non-profits in loaning more than $100 million to more than 4,100 small business owners in the food and beverage industry. Samuel Adams employees, together with local business partners and community organizations, have provided coaching and mentoring to more than 14,000 business owners across the country, helping to create or maintain more than 9,000 local jobs.

About Accion Opportunity Fund

Accion Opportunity Fund works to create an inclusive, healthy financial system that supports the nation’s small business owners by connecting entrepreneurs to affordable capital, educational resources, coaching, and networks. Through innovative partnerships and outreach strategies, we reach entrepreneurs of color, low-income entrepreneurs, and women, who often lack access to the financial services they need to build and grow their businesses. Loans made by Accion Opportunity Fund Community Development. California Finance Lenders license number 6050609.

About Boston Beer Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head Brewery and Hard Mountain Dew as well as other craft beer brands such as Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing.

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

2023 Great American Beer Festival

August 14, 2023 by Dow Scoggins

Tickets for the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) are on sale now for the 2023 event. GABF, hosted by the Brewers Association, the trade organization representing small and independent craft brewers, will return to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, on Sept. 21-23.

With a legacy of bringing the community together, dazzling tastebuds, and celebrating those who pour their hearts into every pint, the 2023 Great American Beer Festival is an event not to be missed. Over four (4) sessions, attendees will:

Taste a kaleidoscope of flavors, styles, and innovative beverages from hundreds of breweries across the nation
Receive a commemorative, collectible, tasting glass
Enjoy tons of entertainment, including live music, games, silent disco, karaoke, live music, and more
Partake in GABF traditions, such as the bagpiper event kick-off, giveaways, and daily costume contests
Speak to and learn from industry experts and brewers via seminars and other educational opportunities

Every year, GABF boasts the highest concentration of American beer on the planet. This year, beer lovers will enjoy beverages poured by the likes of Allagash Brewing Company, Breakside Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Russian River Brewing Co, The Lost Abbey, WeldWerks Brewing Co., and hundreds more. While the star of GABF is beer, attendees will be excited to know that this year, select breweries will also pour the nation’s finest “beyond beer” beverages: hard seltzer, kombucha, mead, and cider. If there’s a specific brewery you’d like to see at GABF, you can nominate them here.

For foodies attending GABF and those looking for a truly special experience, the VIP Experience ticket includes access to PAIRED®, which unites independent craft breweries with acclaimed chefs from across the country, resulting in uniquely designed small bites perfectly paired with craft beer found nowhere else at the festival.

Don’t miss this celebration of beer! Tickets are available for anyone of legal drinking age (21+) at www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.

About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade organization founded in 2005 and headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is dedicated to promoting and protecting small and independent American craft brewers, their craft beers, and the community of brewing enthusiasts. As an organization of brewers, for brewers, and by brewers, it provides essential resources, education, advocacy, and industry insights to support the vibrant craft brewing sector, including the iconic independent craft brewer seal that helps consumers identify authentic American craft beer. Through initiatives focused on quality, sustainability, diversity, and market transparency, the Brewers Association fosters innovation and growth in one of America’s most dynamic beverage industries.

The Brewers Association organizes some of the craft beer world’s most influential events, including the renowned Great American Beer Festival—the nation’s premier beer competition and festival—and the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America, bringing together thousands of professionals and enthusiasts annually. It also publishes leading resources like The New Brewer magazine and books through Brewers Publications, while advocating for fair policies and supporting export development. Beer lovers can explore more at CraftBeer.com, and industry members are invited to learn about membership benefits at brewersassociation.org.

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

2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship Medal Winners and Grand National Champion

July 12, 2023 by Spencer Mapes

Oxford, Ohio (July 10, 2023) – Breweries from Maui to Miami sent more than 9,000 beers(3,107 entries) representing over 160 different styles to the 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship. Today, the U.S. Open Beer Championship announces the medal winners and Grand National Champion.

Toppling Goliath Brewing of Decorah, Iowa was awarded the 2023 Grand National Champion by winning 4 gold medals. Their gold medal winners included Pseudo Sue Hazy Pale Ale, Seismic Sue Triple IPA, King Sue Hazy DIPA, and KBBS Reserve 2022. Toppling Goliath is known for brewing some of the best beers in the world and was the 2021 Grand National Champion at the U.S. Open.

Flix Brewhouse in Carmel, Indiana placed second overall by winning 3 gold medals for their Inside the Moone Foreign Stout, Who is this Hans? Hefeweizen and Dunkel Dimension Münchner Dunkel. Their Ursula’s Agreement Gose took Silver. This accomplishment is especially amazing since they had to completely close down during COVID.

Schulz Brau Brewing out of Knoxville, Tennessee placed Third by winning 2 golds for their Barrel Aged Maibock and their Historical Beer, Grätzer. They also took home a silver for their roggenbier and two bronzes for their Hefeweizen and Oktoberfest Märzen. Schulz Brau is also known for having one of the best beer gardens in America.

The U.S. Open Beer Championship judges more beer styles than any other competition in the world. The U.S. Open is also the only major beer competition to allow the gold medal winners of the AHA’s National Homebrew Competition to participate. This year, 3 homebrewers won medals which ties the U.S. Open record. Big congratulations go to Alex Cigan from Brooklyn for winning a bronze medal for his Contrived Spontaneity Wheat Wine, to Joseph Belevender from Warren, Michigan for winning a silver medal for his North Biere Belgian Ale, and to Caleb Meinke from Cambridge, Wisconsin for winning silver for his Len’s Light Lager.

The U.S. Open judging was held at the new U.S. Open Event Center in Oxford, Ohio. The U.S. Open became the first beer competition to be held in its own venue, a 6,000 square-foot Amish pole barn on a small farm. The barn consists of a judging area, a serving area, two 450-square-foot coolers, an office, and a nano brewery. To see “The Barn”, Click here to see a YouTube video of the 15th Anniversary of the U.S. Open Beer Championship.

Top 10 Breweries in 2023’s U.S. Open Beer Championships
1. Toppling Goliath Brewing — Iowa
2. Flix Brewhouse – Carmel – Indiana
3. Schulz Brau Brewing – Tennessee
4. Urban Artifact – Ohio
5. Boulevard Brewing Company – Missouri
5. Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado
5. New Heights Brewery – Tennessee
5. Sun King Brewery – Indiana
9. Pontoon Brewing – Georgia
10. Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
10. Woodland Farm Brewery – New York

2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship Medal Winners – Click Here

Pink Boots Category: Barrel Oak Brewery takes home the Gold
The U.S. Open Beer Championship partnered with the Pink Boots Society, an organization that assists, inspires, and encourages women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage profession through education, to create the Pink Boots Blend Category. The organization has partnered with Yakima Chief Hops for several years to sell a special hops blend to benefit the Pink Boots scholarship fund, and all beers developed using this hop blend were eligible to enter the category. Pink Boots Hazeberry Sour Ale, brewed by Barrel Oak Brewery in Delaplane, VA, brought home the gold medal. All entry fees for the category – more than $3,000 will be donated to the scholarship fund.

What’s in a Name?
U.S. Open beer judges always enjoy the creativity behind the names that breweries choose for their products, and judge winners subjectively (based on laughter volume) at the competition’s conclusion. This year’s Top 10 on the laughs meter included:

Top 10 Beer Names at the U.S. Open Beer Championship
1. Miniature Giant Space Hamster Hazy Pale Ale – Bullfinch Brewing – New York
2. I Used to be an Athlete Session IPA – Benchtop Brewing – Virginia
3. I’ll Have What the Gentleman on the Floor is Having Barley Wine – McGuire’s Irish Pub – Florida
4. Surfing Hippos IPA – Pocock Brewing – California
5. Not Bad For A Strip Mall Brewery IPA – Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
6. Old Elephant Foot IPA – Tampa Bay Brewing – Florida
7. Damn Near Kilt ‘Em – Cowtown Brewing – Texas
8. Luke I Am Your Lager – Grainworks – Ohio
9. Adios Bitchachos Mexican Pilsner – Bankhead Brewing – Texas
10. Mission Impawsible Double IPA(Proceeds to Dog rescue program) – Service Brewing – Georgia
10. Gandalph the Haze – Iron Pipe Alewerks – Virginia
10. Stud Puffin Hazy Pale Ale – King Canary Brewing – North Carolina

What’s in a label?
In addition to judging some of the world’s finest beers, in 2023 the US Open broke new ground by reviewing and recognizing excellence in label artwork. Over 500 breweries from across the globe submitted over 1,000 beers to be considered for the 1st annual beer can art awards. Olvera Street Lager brewed by Angel City Brewing won gold while the Explorium Brewpub’s Damn! That’s Good Double IPA won the “Director’s Award” for the best creative use of the US Open Beer Championship logo on their beer label design. This year’s Top 10 beer labels included: Click here to view the Director’s Award and Honorable Mentions.

Top 10 Beer Label Artwork – Click here to view the top 10 artwork.
Gold – Olvera Street Lager – Angel City Brewing
Angel City Brewing Label Artwork
Silver – Keeping it Crispy – Tactical Brewing Co
BRONZE – Just Deal Wit It – The Dreamchasers Brewery
BRONZE – Shades of Black – Akademia Brewing
5th – Viva La Otter – Pontoon Brewing
6th – Trash Panda – Metazoa Brewing
7th – Mi Nombre Es Cerveza – Roadmap Brewing
8th – Pierre Delecto – Fullsteam Brewing
9th – Udderly Galactic – Launch Pad Brewing
10th – Ten Million Flowers – Discretion Brewing
10th – Swim Shady – Epidemic Ales
10th – Cryo Scape – Batson River Brewing
10th – Chupacatawbra – Twin Oast Brewing

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

2023 National Homebrew Competition Medal Winners

June 26, 2023 by Dow Scoggins

San Diego — The American Homebrewers Association® (AHA)—the national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the hobby of homebrewing—announced the winners of the 2023 National Homebrew Competition (NHC) during its annual Homebrew Con™ conference in San Diego. 120 medals in 40 categories were awarded for the most outstanding homemade beer, mead, and cider. Six major awards recognizing overall brewing excellence were also presented.

The NHC has long been recognized as the world’s largest stage for amateur homebrewers to showcase their skills, creativity, and passion for the craft of fermentation. The 2023 competition received 4,335 entries from 1,708 homebrewers across 50 states, Washington, D.C., and 13 countries. 164,105 entries have been evaluated since the inaugural AHA National Homebrew Competition in 1979 in Boulder, Colo.

MOST-ENTERED STYLE CATEGORIES
The winners of the most-entered categories were:

Photo credit of PHOTO © BREWERS ASSOCIATION

MAJOR AWARDS
In addition to category style awards, six major awards recognizing overall brewing excellence were presented.

Homebrewer of the Year Award – Sponsored by Muntons
Recognizes the best-of-show beer judged from all gold medal winners in all beer categories.
John Heasley | Portland, OR | The Brewing Network

Cidermaker of the Year Award – Sponsored by Woodchuck Hard Cider
Recognizes the best-of-show cider judged from all gold medal winners in the cider categories.
James Werner | New Berlin, WI | Beer Barons of Milwaukee

Meadmaker of the Year Award – Sponsored by Redstone Meadery
Recognizes the best-of-show mead judged from all gold medal winners in the mead categories.
Shane Kammerer | Shawnee, KS | Kansas City Bier Meisters

Samuel Adams Ninkasi Award – Sponsored by Samuel Adams
Recognizes the entrant who accumulates the most points in the final round of competition.
Richard Shoff | Baldwinsville, NY

Gambrinus Club Award – Sponsored by Fermentis
Recognizes the club garnering the most final round points per total club entries.
New York City Homebrewers Guild | New York, NY

Homebrew Club of the Year Award – Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
Awarded to the club accumulating the most total points in all categories of beer, mead, and cider in the final round of competition.
Kansas City Bier Meisters | Kansas City, KS

“The impressive quality of entries from this year’s winners demonstrated immense dedication, innovation, and skill in the art of homebrewing. These creations captivated the taste buds of the judges, showcased a diverse range of flavors, and set the standard for excellence in fermentation,” said Chris Williams, competition director. “Congratulations to the 2023 National Homebrew Competition winners!”

A complete list of winners of the 2023 National Homebrew Competition can be found here.

HOMEBREW CON
Homebrew Con, the nation’s largest annual gathering of brewing and fermentation enthusiasts, returned sunny San Diego, where more than 1,300 American Homebrewers Association members attended the three-day conference for good brews, good vibes, and brew-IQ-boosting sessions. The AHA awarded the following for outstanding contributions to the homebrewing community.

ANNUAL RECOGNITION AWARDS

Radegast Club of the Year Award – Sponsored by Yakima Chief Hops
Awarded to a homebrew club for its efforts with community outreach and spreading the joys of homebrewing.
Horsemen of the Hopocalypse |Fort Worth, Texas

Homebrew Shop of the Year Award – Sponsored by BSG HandCraft
Awarded to homebrew supply shops on the merits of community support, education, customer service and engagement, promotion of homebrewing, and responsible business practices.
Patriot Brewery & Homebrew Supply | Elkhorn, Neb.

American Homebrewers Association Governing Committee Award
Awarded for outstanding service to the community of homebrewers.
Drew Beechum | Pasadena, Calif.

“To the participants, judges, sponsors, competition organizers, and volunteers who made this year’s Homebrew Con a resounding success, we say thank you. Cheers and congratulations to all the winners for making some of the world’s best homebrew,” said Julia Herz, AHA executive director.

Here are all the medal Winners:

Category 1: Pale American Beer
Gold: Mike Gallagher of Charleston, SC Lowcountry Libations
Silver: Caleb Meinke of Cambridge, WI Madison Homebrewers & Tasters
Bronze: Evan Brill of Louisville, KY Louisville Area Grain and Extract Research Society (LAGERS)

Category 2: Pale European Beer
Gold: Metts Potter of Morrow, OH Bloatarian Brewing League
Silver: Wayne Doucette of Big Lake, MN River City Brewers
Bronze: Jason Lorenz of Taylor, MI Motor City Mashers

Category 3: Pilsner
Gold: Jared Aumen of Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor Brewers Guild
Silver: Robby Narquis of Richland, WA
Bronze: Gregory Rinehardt of Abingdon, VA Stooges Brew Club

Category 4: Pale Malty European Beer
Gold: Alex Rezmerski of Louisville, KY Louisville Area Grain and Extract Research Society (LAGERS)
Silver: Chad Medford of Moore, OK Red Earth Brewers
Bronze: Jonathan Hughes of Moses Lake, WA

Category 5: Amber European Beer
Gold: Shane Sprague of Irvine, CA with Chris Kohl OC Mashups
Silver: Andy Cox of Wilton, CT Underground Brewers of Connecticut
Bronze: Nicholas LaFond of Saint Anne, IL

Category 6: Dark European Lager
Gold: Jason Dunn of Corona, CA Inland Empire Brewers
Silver: Robert Abbott of Chester, NH Brewtubers Online Brew Club
Bronze: Jason Slaasted of Caledonia, WI with Eric Lewis

Category 7: American Wheat & Blonde
Gold: Bryce Hunter of Grand Rapids, MI QUAFF
Silver: Rodolfo Valladares of Kansas City, KS Kansas City Bier Meisters
Bronze: Zach Kosslow of Pittsburgh, PA Three Rivers Alliance of Serious Homebrewers

Category 8: German Wheat & Rye Beer
Gold: Joseph Hirtz of Valrico, FL Brandon Bootleggers Homebrew Club
Silver: Dustin Striplin of Tacoma, WA with Jamie Striplin Browns Point Homebrew Club
Bronze: Paul Brown of Pinole, CA Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)

Category 9: Pale British Ale
Gold: Mark Kunzelmann of Saint Louis, MO St. Louis Brews
Silver: 12A Alex Cigan of Brooklyn, NY New York City Homebrewers Guild
Bronze: 11C Dann Searcy of Kansas City, MO with Sally Crosson Kansas City Bier Meisters

Category 10: Scottish & Irish Ale
Gold: Richard Shoff of Baldwinsville, NY
Silver: James Matthews of Arnold, MO
Bronze: John Huhn of Springfield, MO Zymurgists of the Ozarks

Category 11: American Pale Ale
Gold: Brandon Holt of San Diego, CA with Kevin Holt QUAFF
Silver: Russell Berger of Portland, OR Portland Brewers Collective
Bronze: Steve Gardner of Greenville, SC

Category 12: Amber & Brown American Ale
Gold: Mike Butler of Olathe, KS with Stephanie Butler Kansas City Bier Meisters
Silver: Keith Wright of Mustang, OK Red Earth Brewers
Bronze: Bob Rouse of College Park, MD

Category 13: Brown British Beer
Gold: Stephen Schmitt of Evanston, IL Evanston Homebrew Club
Silver: Mike Gallagher of Charleston, SC Lowcountry Libations
Bronze: Dann Searcy of Kansas City, MO with Sally Crosson Kansas City Bier Meisters

Category 14: Irish & British Stout
Gold: Chris Hunter of Martinsville, IN Artesian Homebrewers
Silver: Richard Shoff of Baldwinsville, NY with Richard Shoff
Bronze: Christopher Johnson of San Diego, CA QUAFF

Category 15: American Porter & Stout
Gold: Christian Chandler of Chandler, AZ Arizona Society of Homebrewers
Silver: Mike Rousseau of Charleston, SC
Bronze: Brian Smith of Pottstown, PA Bruclear Homebrew Club

Category 16: American IPA
Gold: Christopher Burgess of Castle Rock, CO 39N Homebrewers
Silver: Nicholas McCoy of Sachse, TX Draft Punk
Bronze: John & Stephanie Meerse of Simsbury, CT

Category 17: Specialty IPA
Gold: Robert Knipper of San Marcos, CA Society of Barley Engineers
Silver: Kevin & Kazuko Masaryk of San Diego, CA QUAFF
Bronze: Kevin Kiernan of Washington, DC DC Homebrewers

Category 18: Hazy IPA
Gold: Jon Dieter of Concord, OH Brewly Homebrew Club
Silver: Peter Cooke of Bridgewater, NJ Garden State Homebrewers (GSHomebrewers)
Bronze: David Howell of Springfield, MO Them Beer Knobbers

Category 19: Strong American Ale
Gold: Larry & Donna Reuter of Akron, OH Society of Akron Area Zymurgists (SAAZ)
Silver: Michael Moody of Jacksonville, OR
Bronze: Simon Svensson of Molnlycke, Sweden

Category 20: Strong European Lager
Gold: Kevin Olson of Raymore, MO ZZHops Homebrewing Club
Silver: Stephanie Butler of Olathe, KS with Mike Butler Kansas City Bier Meisters
Bronze: Andy Cox of Wilton, CT Underground Brewers of Connecticut

Category 21: Strong British Ale
Gold: Lucas Orr of San Diego, CA QUAFF
Silver: Jim Satin of Brooklyn, MI Ann Arbor Brewers Guild
Bronze: Kenneth Berry of McKinleyville, CA Humboldt Homebrewers

Category 22: Imperial Porter & Stout
Gold: John Heasley of Portland, OR The Brewing Network
Silver: Frank Wilkinson of Ambler, PA
Bronze: Tim Bickel of Oklahoma City, OK Red Earth Brewers

Category 23: Saison
Gold: Keith Blanchard of Chatham Township, NJ Morris Area Society of Homebrewers
Silver: Daniel Kukuk of Detroit, MI Motor City Mashers
Bronze: Jon Weaver of Naples, FL

Category 24: Belgian Ale
Gold: Phil LaFleur of Loveland, CO Weizguys Homebrew Club
Silver: Duane Jenness of Worcester, MA WIZARDS
Bronze: Matt & Courtney Castellino of Thousand Oaks, CA with Todd Slater Thousand Oaks Homebrewers

Category 25: Strong Belgian Ale
Gold: Duke Austerberry of Ferndale, MI
Silver: Jose Gutierrez of Edwards, CA Brewing Enthusiasts of the Antelope Valley Region (BEAVR)
Bronze: Mike Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT Zion Zymurgist Homebrew OPerative Society

Category 26: European Sour Ale
Gold: Jeff Bair of Kansas City, MO with Jeff Bair
Silver: Joshua Cotton of Brooklyn, NY New York City Homebrewers Guild
Bronze: Kevin Wojdak of Elk Grove Village, IL Urban Knaves of Grain

Category 27: Fruit Beer
Gold: Jamye & Cody Naramore of Quenemo, KS Kansas City Bier Meisters
Silver: Will Dull of Apopka, FL Brew Club of Seminole County
Bronze: Jose Gomera of East Patchogue, NY with Albania Morales

Category 28: Spiced Beer
Gold: Jonathan Eckles of Savannah, GA Savannah Brewers League
Silver: James Brameyer of Mount Airy, MD
Bronze: Rob Hardisty of Fort Collins, CO Liquid Poets

Category 29: Seasonal Spiced Beer
Gold: Jason Bryant of Herndon, VA Wort Hogs
Silver: Scott Rauvola of San Diego, CA QUAFF
Bronze: Joel McGormley of Zionsville, IN

Category 30: Smoke-Flavored Beer
Gold: Randy Daniels of Des Moines, IA with KC McKinney Iowa Brewers Union
Silver: Keith Loats of Seven Hills, OH
Bronze: Michael Beck of Griffith, IN Illiana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)

Category 31: Wood-Aged Beer
Gold: David Moore of Carlsbad, CA with David Harbick QUAFF
Silver: Joel McGormley of Zionsville, IN
Bronze: Mark DeBreaux of Wimberley, TX

Category 32: American Wild Ale
Gold: Sean Thomson of Denver, CO The Brew Crew
Silver: Billy & Theresa Wilks of San Diego, CA
Bronze: Dwayne Haynes of APO, AE

Category 33: Specialty Beer
Gold: Mike Butler of Olathe, KS with Stephanie Butler Kansas City Bier Meisters
Silver: Brian Stulak of Palm Harbor, FL Pinellas Urban Brewers (PUB) Guild
Bronze: Peter Graham of Fishers, IN

Category 34: Traditional Mead
Gold: Steve Fletty of Falcon Heights, MN Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
Silver: Michael Wilcox of Wichita, KS Kansas City Bier Meisters
Bronze: Shane & Susan Kammerer of Shawnee, KS Kansas City Bier Meisters

Category 35: Cyser & Pyment
Gold: John Pagano of Carpinteria, CA
Silver: M2A Ashley Earle of Concord, CA Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)
Bronze: M2B Stephen Wilson of Syracuse, NY

Category 36: Fruit Mead
GoldM: Shane & Susan Kammerer of Shawnee, KS Kansas City Bier Meisters
Silver: Steve Fletty of Falcon Heights, MN Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
Bronze: Bill Boyer of Kennesaw, GA North Georgia Malt Monkeys

Category 37: Spice Mead
Gold: Travis Hammond of Santee, CA QUAFF
Silver: Matthew Mead of Grand Rapids, MI Michigan Mead Coalition
Bronze: John Aitchison of Northridge, CA Maltose Falcons

Category 38: Specialty Mead
Gold: Todd Donnelly of Chardon, OH Society of Northeast Ohio Brewers
Silver: Steve Fletty of Falcon Heights, MN Saint Paul Homebrewers Club
Bronze: LaVaughn & Yakima Barker of Brookfield, WI

Category 39: Standard Cider & Perry
Gold: Annie Johnson of Seattle, WA North Seattle Homebrewers
Silver: Richard Shoff of Baldwinsville, NY
Bronze: Jeff Carlson of Grand Rapids, MI PrimeTime Brewers

Category 40: Specialty Cider & Perry
Gold: James Werner of New Berlin, WI Beer Barons of Milwaukee
Silver: Jeff Carlson of Grand Rapids, MI PrimeTime Brewers
Bronze: Jeff Carlson of Grand Rapids, MI PrimeTime Brewers

The 2023 National Homebrew Competition and Homebrew Con were made possible in part by the generous support of sponsors.

About the American Homebrewers Association:
The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has worked on behalf of the homebrewing community since 1978 and celebrates a membership of more than 36,000 homebrewers. The AHA organizes events including the Homebrew Con™, National Homebrew Competition, Big Brew for National Homebrew Day, and Learn to Homebrew Day. The AHA also publishes Zymurgy®, the longest-running magazine for homebrewers. The AHA is part of the Brewers Association®, whose Brewers Publications® division is the leading publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers. Beer lovers, fermentation fans, and anyone interested in making their own homemade beer are invited to learn more at HomebrewersAssociation.org. Follow the AHA on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.

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