The growth of the craft beer industry has made award competitions fierce events.
One of the best competitions is the annual U.S. Open Beer Championship, which takes place in Atlanta, Georgia. This year, more than 2,500 beers, representing 68 categories, were judged. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded for each category.
And the big winner this year was Wisconsin’s Capital Brewery, which was named Grand National Champion, based upon the three golds, one silver and two bronze medals awarded to its beers. Its awards included Capital Pilsner (gold, German lager-pilsner), Lake House (gold, Munchner Helles), Capital Dark (gold, Munchner Dunkel), Wisconsin Amber (silver, American amber), MaiBock (bronze, bock) and Supper Club (bronze, American lager).
Georgia’s Sweetwater Brewing Co., which took the top spot last year, took second place. Third place went to another Wisconsin company – Stevens Point Brewing.
Here’s how the top 10 winners ranked:
1. Capital Brewery – Middleton, Wisconsin
2. Sweetwater Brewing – Atlanta, Georgia
3. Stevens Point Brewing – Stevens Point, Wisconsin
4. Neustadt Springs Brewing – Neustadt, Ontario
5. Big Island Brewhaus – Waimea, Hawaii
6. Reuben’s Brews – Seattle, Washington
7. Nebraska Brewing – Papillion, Nebraska
8. Mother Earth Brewing – Kinston, North Carolina
9. Fullsteam Brewing – Durham, North Carolina
10. Oskar Blues Brewery – Longmont, Colorado
Here’s a list of all the categories and winners.