WISEACRE Brewing, a Memphis-based craft brewery, celebrated a triumphant showing at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), securing two prestigious awards. Their newest creation, Sky Dog Amber, clinched the Gold Medal in the International Amber Lager category, while the beloved Tiny Bomb earned a Silver Medal in the highly competitive German-style Pilsener category, following its Bronze win in 2014.
These accolades elevate WISEACRE’s national award count to four, including the 2024 title of America’s Best Light Beer for Sky Dog and a Bronze Medal for their Oktoberfest at the 2025 World Beer Cup in the German-style Märzen category. The brewery’s commitment to crafting exceptional lagers continues to cement its reputation as a leader in the craft beer industry.
“We’re over the moon about our GABF wins,” said Davin Bartosch, WISEACRE’s master brewer. “Tiny Bomb’s Silver in one of the toughest categories is a huge honor, especially since it’s our flagship beer. And Sky Dog Amber taking Gold on its debut? That’s a testament to our team’s talent and dedication. We’re beyond proud.”
The 2025 GABF saw over 270 breweries compete across 108 beer and six cider categories, judged by a panel of industry experts. A GABF medal is a globally recognized mark of brewing excellence, celebrating precision, innovation, and quality. “Winning at GABF is a career-defining moment,” said Chris Williams, competition director for the Brewers Association. “These medals reflect the pinnacle of craftsmanship and skill.”
The awards underscore WISEACRE’s growing “Lager Legacy” in Memphis, where the brewery has been pushing boundaries since its founding in 2013. “Our goal was always to craft world-class lagers,” said Kellan Bartosch, co-founder alongside his brother Davin. “With five medals from top national and international competitions, we’re turning that vision into reality. We’re thrilled to share these award-winning beers with our Memphis community.”
The GABF awards were announced during a live-streamed ceremony on October 11, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center. WISEACRE celebrated locally on October 17 at their original taproom (2783 Broad Ave.), pouring Sky Dog Amber (exclusive to taprooms), Tiny Bomb, Sky Dog, and Oktoberfest. Guests also enjoyed the new Panuzzo King pizza sandwiches, wines, batch cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, with DJ Leroy spinning vinyl to mark the occasion.
WISEACRE Brewing Company
WISEACRE Brewing Company was founded in 2013 by brothers Davin and Kellan Bartosch, Memphis natives who brought their passion for craft beer back to their hometown after honing their skills across the U.S. and abroad. Davin, trained at Germany’s prestigious Doemens Academy, and Kellan, with experience in brewery operations, set out to create a brewery that blended tradition with innovation. Starting with a single taproom at 2783 Broad Ave., WISEACRE quickly gained traction for its focus on quality and creativity, growing to two Memphis locations and distribution across 22 states. With over 60 employees, the brewery has become a cornerstone of the local craft beer scene, earning recognition in outlets like Men’s Health and Forbes for its bold vision and community roots.
Since its inception, WISEACRE has crafted over 170 beers, spanning crisp German-style lagers, hop-forward American IPAs, complex Belgian ales, and experimental barrel-aged brews. Their flagship, Tiny Bomb, a German-style Pilsener, has become a fan favorite, earning a Silver Medal at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival and a Bronze in 2014. The Sky Dog series, including the 2024 titleholder for America’s Best Light Beer and the Gold Medal-winning Sky Dog Amber in 2025, showcases their lager expertise. Their Oktoberfest, a German-style Märzen, also claimed Bronze at the 2025 World Beer Cup, solidifying WISEACRE’s reputation for crafting award-winning beers that balance tradition with a distinctly Memphis flair.
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