American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
The 2019 US Open Beer Championship just wrapped up in Ohio and they’ve announced this year’s winners and the breweries judged to be the best in America!
This year’s championship, the only competition to include beers from professional breweries and award-winning home-brewers, was one of its largest ever.
More than 7,000 beers representing more than 130 different styles were entered and judged by industry experts from England, Canada and the United States.
Judging was blind…judges only knew the defined categories, but not what beers they are tasting.
Sun King Brewing from Indianapolis, Indiana was named Grand National Champion after winning three gold medals and three silver medals. Reuben’s Brewing from Seattle, Washington placed second winning four gold medals. And Atlanta, Georgia-based Monday Night Brewing placed third by winning 2 gold medals, 2 silver medals and a bronze.
It’s also interesting to note that the US Open Beer Championship judges more beer styles than any other competition in the world.
This year’s new style additions included several new barrel aged beer variations including wine, tequila, rum and brandy barrel categories.
But the most unique new style at 2019 US Open Beer Championship may have been the Hemp Beer category. Hemp Beer is a form of beer infused with elements of the cannabis plant, and this year’s gold medal winner was Mango Kush brewed by SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta, Georgia.
Top 10 Breweries
1. Sun King Brewing Co.
2. Reuben’s Brews
3. Monday Night Garage
4. Altstadt Brewery
5. Cherry Street Brewing
6. Piney River Brewing Co.
7. Main & Six Brewing Company
8. Perrin Brewing Company
9. Brew Bus Brewing
10. Cigar City Brewing
10. Birds Fly South Ale Project
10. Wise Man Brewing
And given the homebrewers also entered this year’s competition…It’s interesting to note that home brewers David Byer and John O’Brien from Hot Springs, North Carolina won a bronze medal for their English Barley Wine.
