The Great American Beer Festival is going on in Colorado this weekend. I didn’t get to go, but I’ve been waiting to hear who the winners are this year to see how many Oregon brews made the list (gotta root for the home team). For those who don’t know … this competition is a big deal. It is pretty much the Olympics of American beer competitions, and gives well-earned bragging rights to anyone who can bring home a medal. Just some facts to give you an idea of its scope:
More than 100 judges labored for three days to evaluate 2,793 beers and pick the best entries and top breweries for this year’s Great American Beer Festival. A total of 222 medals were awarded in 75 beer style categories and top breweries and brewers were designated based on the total number of medals won. The five top awards recognize small, medium and large breweries and small and large brewpubs
Here’s the recap of those winners who call Oregon home:
American-Style Wheat Beer – 19 Entries
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co., Portland, OR
Silver: Brewmaster Reserve
International-Style Pilsener – 10 Entries
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Gold: 4K Pils
Dortmunder/European Style Export or German-Style Oktoberfest/Wiesen (Meadow) – 18 Entries
Widmer Brothers Brewing Co., Portland, OR
Bronze: Widmer Export Lager
Imperial or Double Red Ale – 38 Entries
Laurelwood Brewing Co., Portland, OR
Gold: Organic Deranger
Bitter or Pale Mild Ale – 43 Entries
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Gold: Pub Bitter (and now our supply at the pub just got a whole lot smaller!)
Golden or Blonde Ale – 48 Entries
Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR
Silver: Kiwanda Cream Ale
American Style Brown Ale – 45 Entries
Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR
Gold: Doryman’s Dark Ale
Imperial Stout – 44 Entries
Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR
Gold: Abyss
Rogue Ales, Newport, OR
Bronze: Russian Imperial Stout
Strong Scotch Ale – 28 Entries
Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR
Gold: MacPelican’s Wee Heavy Strong Scotch Ale
Old Ale or Strong Ale – 32 Entries
Bend Brewing Co, Bend, OR
Silver: Outback X
Straight fact … Deschutes, and Pelican have been kicking ass, and this year they’ve each brought 3 gold medals back to Oregon! In addition, a second GABF medal was won by the Bend Brewing Company in as many years!
Sincerest congratulations to all breweries for their outstanding job at turning out amazing beers for all of us here in Oregon.
[…] in the back yard of the NW Craft Beer scene. This year alone, two local breweries brought home four GABF medals. I love that I’m a 5 minute drive to several pubs where Craft Beer is so well represented, […]