Great American Beer Festival names top champion breweries for 2026
Nine producers claimed champion titles at the Great American Beer Festival over the weekend in Denver. The honors celebrate the top-performing beer and cider makers from across the nation.
Judges evaluated brews of multiple styles and production sizes. Brewers were able to submit “their beer or cider to be judged by the festival’s professional judge panel,” according to the competition overview.
The annual event recognizes champion breweries based on their annual production volume. The winning producers include:
- Mieza Blendery of Alexandria, Virginia: 0 to 250 Barrels
- UPP Liquids of Bend, Oregon: 251 to 500 Barrels
- Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. of Golden, Colorado: 501 to 1,000 Barrels
- Craft Coast of Oceanside, California: 1,001 to 2,000 Barrels
- Morgan Territory Brewing of Tracy, California: 2,001 to 5,000 Barrels
- Fieldwork Brewing Company of Berkeley, California: 5,001 to 15,000 Barrels
- Breakside Brewery & Taproom of Milwaukie, Oregon: 15,001 to 100,000 Barrels
- Goose Island Beer Co. of Chicago: Over 100,000 Barrels
- Snow Capped Cider of Austin, Colorado: Cidermaker of the Year
Cannonball Creek Brewing won that same category last year, Nexstar’s KDVR reported. That win continued their success.
Brews and ciders from 38 states and the District of Columbia earned medals. Six brews from Breakside Brewery & Taproom won medals over the weekend. Goose Island and UPP Liquids each brought home four medals.
Snow Capped Cider and Gowan’s Heirloom Cider of Philo, California, each secured five medals. Hard work paid off.
The Great American Beer Festival serves as a public tasting event and industry gathering. Panels evaluate entries against specific style guidelines. Organizers announce awards at the end of the weekend program.
Medal recipients celebrated their honors in Denver following the formal award ceremonies.
