Another Epic Year at the Great American Beer Festival

The 2025 Great American Beer Festival wrapped up this past weekend in Denver, and what a show it was! Held October 9-11 at the Colorado Convention Center, GABF 2025 once again proved why it's the premier celebration of American craft beer, bringing together brewers, enthusiasts, and industry professionals from across the nation.

By The Numbers: A Competitive Showcase

The competition was fierce this year, with some truly impressive statistics:

  • 8,315 entries – beers and ciders from breweries spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
  • 250 expert judges evaluated entries over seven days and three judging phases
  • 347 medals awarded to 273 breweries and cideries
  • Just 4.2% of entries medaled – making every win that much more significant
  • 301 entries in the Juicy/Hazy India Pale Ale category alone, making it the most entered category

This year also featured a special, one-time-only Vera Hop category, showcasing the innovation and experimentation that continues to define the American craft beer scene.

Regional Highlights and Notable Winners

Colorado breweries showed up strong on their home turf, collecting 40 medals (18 of them gold). Denver's River North Brewery earned Brewery of the Year honors in the 1,001-2,000 barrel category after collecting two gold medals. Not to be outdone, Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. in Golden took home the title in the 501-1,000 barrel category with three total medals.

But the biggest story might be UPP Liquids from Oregon, who led the way with an incredible 5 medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) and earned Brewery of the Year in the 251-500 barrel category. Oregon breweries overall brought home 29 medals, cementing the Pacific Northwest's reputation for brewing excellence.

Our Festival Favorites: The Must-Visit Booths

Walking the festival floor is always an adventure, but this year we made it a point to hit three breweries that never disappoint:

Weldwerks Brewing – The Colorado Powerhouse

If you were at GABF, you know the drill: find the booth with the longest line and you've found Weldwerks. The Greeley, Colorado brewery has become the big Colorado presence at the festival, and for good reason. This year, they were one of the Featured Brewers (booth H-18) and showcased why they've earned that status.

Their Single Barrel Dubai Chocolate Bar Medianoche stout was absolutely mind-blowing – rich, decadent, and perfectly balanced. But the real surprise? Their Gyro Gose, a wonderfully weird and refreshing beer that captured the savory spices of the Greek classic. Only Weldwerks could pull off something this creative and have it taste this good. Every year they push boundaries, and every year they deliver.

Russian River Brewing – The North Star

As Axios Denver perfectly put it, Russian River is "the festival's North Star with a collection of IPAs and sour beers that shine brighter than the rest of the crowd." The Santa Rosa, California brewery brought their A-game across multiple categories – lagers, hoppy beers, and their signature spontaneous/wild ales.

The DDH Pliny the Elder was an absolute must-try – everything you love about the legendary Pliny, amplified with that double dry-hopping. Russian River's presence at the festival is always a masterclass in balance and precision. Whether you're sipping their clean lagers or diving into their complex sours, you're experiencing brewing at its finest.

Pinthouse Pizza – Austin's Pride

Texas showed up strong this year, and leading the charge was Austin's own Pinthouse Pizza, who took home not one but TWO medals:

  • GOLD for "Hot Shot" in the Smoke Beer category
  • SILVER for "Darlin'" in the International-Style Pilsener category

The Hot Shot was a revelation – perfectly balanced smoke that enhanced rather than overwhelmed, with layers of complexity that kept you coming back for more. And Darlin' proved that Pinthouse isn't just about their famous IPAs; they can nail a crisp, clean pilsner with the best of them. These wins are well-deserved recognition for a brewery that's been pushing the Texas craft beer scene forward for years.

The GABF Experience

Beyond the competition, GABF remains one of the best places to experience the breadth and creativity of American craft beer. From tiny upstart breweries pouring their first-ever festival samples to established legends showcasing anniversary releases, the diversity is staggering.

This year's festival also marked the continued expansion of cider categories, reflecting the growing appreciation for craft cider alongside beer. The addition of spirits this year added another dimension to the event, though let's be honest – we came for the beer, and the beer delivered.

Looking Ahead

As we pack up our tasting glasses and reflect on another incredible GABF, a few things are clear: American craft beer continues to innovate, regional breweries are thriving, and events like this bring together a community that's passionate, welcoming, and always excited to share the next great beer.

To all the breweries who competed, congratulations on being part of this year's festival. To the medal winners, enjoy your well-earned recognition. And to Weldwerks, Russian River, and Pinthouse Pizza – thanks for reminding us why we love this industry so much.

Same time next year? We'll see you in Denver!

Cheers to great beer, great breweries, and the Great American Beer Festival! 🍺