Winners from the 37th edition of the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) were announced this morning in Denver, Colorado.
This year, Ocean Beach Brewery stole the show, winning a gold medal for B.Right on Pale Ale while also taking home the coveted Small Brewpub & Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year award.
In total, 15 local brewing companies brought home 16 medals (five gold, six silver, and five bronze). Notably, Santee’s Groundswell won both a silver and bronze medal. Also, in the session beer category, Eppig was awarded gold, while Burgeon took silver.
Held annually by the Brewers Association, the craft beer industry’s trade organization, this year’s GABF saw 8,864 beers entered by 2,404 breweries. 293 judges from 13 countries evaluated beers with the assistance of 190 volunteers, some of whom have 30+ years of experience.
GABF is the country’s largest and most prestigious professional brewing competition. San Diego County breweries have historically fared well: last year, 11 local companies brought home 14 medals. In 2016, brewers earned 18 medals, and Karl Strauss was named Mid-Size Brewery/Brewer of the Year.
The following is a list of the winners from brewing facilities located within San Diego County, listed alphabetically by award category:
Gold:
– Breakwater: Rye Dawn (Rye Beer)
– Eppig: Natural Bridge: Vienna Lager (Session Beer)
– Karl Strauss: Liquid A/C (English-Style Summer Ale)
– Ocean Beach: B.Right On Pale Ale (American-Style Pale Ale)
– Societe: The Coachman (Session India Pale Ale)
Silver:
– Burgeon: Noble Miner (Session Beer)
– Duck Foot: Redrum (Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer)
– Groundswell: Piloncillo Brown Ale (American-Style Brown Ale)
– Pizza Port Solana Beach: Oats (Oatmeal Stout)
– Port / The Lost Abbey: Duck Duck Gooze (Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer)
– Rip Current: Delaminator Doppelbock (German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock)
Bronze:
– BNS: Rail Gun Wee Heavy (Old Ale or Strong Ale)
– Groundswell: Know Ego (Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout)
– Home: Zungen Brecher (Historical Beer)
– Kilowatt: Chocolate Macadamia Nut Stout (Chocolate Beer)
– North Park: Bird Park (Bohemian-Style Pilsener)
Small Brewpub & Small Brewpub Brewer of the Year:
Ocean Beach Brewery (Jim Millea & Scott Watkins)