The Virginia Craft Brewers Cup is a very big deal in the Mid-Atlantic brewing community. It remains the largest state competition of its kind in the United States and the most important Virginia-only craft beer competition in the Commonwealth.

Sponsored annually by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, this year’s competition featured 267 beers in almost 20 categories. The judging took place Saturday, July 25, at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn, Virginia, in the midst of a worldwide pandemic that has altered the beer biz significantly….

“This was a challenging year due to the pandemic. However, we made several adjustments to operate in a safe environment and follow established guideline, said Head Judge Charlie Harr. In the end we had a lot of fun, made new friends and tasted some great Virginia beers.”

And the 2020 Virginia Craft Beer Cup winners are as follows:

BEST IN SHOW
First Place – Black Hoof Brewing Company, Muzzle Loader Munich Dunkel
Second Place – Cedar Run Brewery, Goats in the House Pilsner
Third Place – Port City Brewing Company, Optimal Wit

AMBER ALE
First Place – The Board Room VA, Ticket to Ride Red Ale
Second Place – Random Row Brewing Co., Scouser Red Ale
Third Place – 7 Dogs Brew Pub, Scottish 80

AMBER LAGER
First Place – Fairwinds Brewing Company, High Barbary
Second Place – Tasting Room at Mount Ida Reserve, First Edition
Third Place – Mustang Sally Brewing Company, Half Moon Rising

BROWN ALE
First Place – Old Ox Brewery, Black Ox Rye Porter
Second Place – Ballad Brewing, Fast Mail Mild Ale
Third Place – Rocket Frog Brewing Company, Wallops Island

BOCK
First Place – Black Hoof Brewing Company, Broadside Maibock
Second Place – Barking Rose Brewing Company + Farm, Dopplebock
Third Place – Big Ugly Brewing, Accelerator

DARK LAGER
First Place – Black Hoof Brewing Company, Muzzleloader Munich Dunkel
Second Place – Gloucester Brewing Company, Mobjack Black
Third Place – Maker’s Craft Brewery, Thurinigan

FRUIT/VEGETABLE
First Place – Benchtop Brewing Company, Mermaid’s Lure
Second Place – Elation Brewing Company, Rosé Gosé
Third Place – Mustang Sally Brewing Company, Getaway Plan
Honorable Mention – Stable Craft Brewing, Blueberry Blonde

IPA
First Place – Stone Brewing Co., Stone IPA
Second Place – Fairwinds Brewing Company, Howling Gale
Third Place – Heliotrope Brewing, Oxfordcommadisiac
Honorable Mention – Random Row Brewing Co., Windswell DIPA

SAISON
First Place – Old Ox Brewery, Sightseer Saison
Second Place – Bingo Beer Co, Patio Vibes
Third Place – Ardent Craft Ales, Ardent Saison

PALE ALE
First Place – Beltway Brewing Company, Approachable Guise
Second Place – Twin Creeks Brewing Company, Keep Ya Distance Cream Ale
Third Place – Barking Rose Brewing Company + Farm, Conviction
Honorable Mention – Random Row Brewing Co., Mosaic Pale Ale

KOLSCH
First Place – The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery, House Beer
Second Place – Sweetwater Taven, Barking Frog Kolsch

PALE LAGER
First Place – Cave Hill Farms Brewery, Loafing Shed Lager
Second Place – Port City Brewing Company, Helles Lager
Third Place – Dynasty Brewing, Dynasty Lager

PILSNER
First Place – Cedar Run Brewery, Goats in the House Pilsner
Second Place – Tradition Brewing Company, Tradice
Third Place – Bingo Beer Co, Bingo Lager

SPECIALTY – OTHER
First Place – Blue Mountain Barrel House, Raspberries on Acid
Second Place – Benchtop Brewing Company, Friar Storm
Third Place – Extra Billy’s Smokehouse & Brewery, Capital Kolsch

SOUR
First Place – Reason Beer, Gryffon’s Red
Second Place – Audacious Aleworks, Anniversary Flanders Red Ale

SPECIALTY MIXED
First Place – 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company, Franc-n-Stein
Second Place – Fine Creek Brewing Company, Wine Barrel Aged Golden Sour
Third Place – Fine Creek Brewing Company, Herbarium Wild Saison

SPECIALTY – ALTERNATIVE
First Place – That Damn Mary Brewing Company, Holden in the Rye
Second Place – St. George Brewing Company, Honey Mead Lager
Third Place – Dirt Farm Brewing, Honey Helles

SPECIALTY WOOD
First Place – Caboose Brewing Company, Fireside Ale
Second Place – 2 Silos Brewing Company, Barrel Reserve: Imperial Stout
Third Place Blue Mountain Barrel House, Dark Hollow

STOUT
First Place – Dynasty Brewing, 838 Stout
Second Place – Great Valley Farm Brewery, Stout

STRONG ALE
First Place – Garden Grove Brewing Co., Fergus Wee Heavy
Second Place – Lake Anne Brew House, 2020
Third Place – Lake Anne Brew House, Quadiversary
Honorable Mention – Tasting Room at Mount Ida Reserve, Murcielago Madison Stout

WHEAT BEER
First Place – Port City Brewing Company, Optimal Wit
Second Place – Trapezium Brewing Co., Chasing Ponies
Third Place – Spencer Devon Brewing, Pontoon Bridges

“The Virginia Craft Beer Cup is all about sharing what we have learned as craft brewers and small businesses, and celebrating the best of what Virginia Brewers have to offer! Besides, you never know who might win,” said Sten Sellier, Beltway Brewing Company. “Having brought a few medals back to our brewery in the past, I can say that bragging rights are always a big plus!”

Congratulations to all of this year’s Virginia Craft Beer Cup winners….Live long and prosper!