The Virginia Craft 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 283 beers in 20 categories. And the judging took place over three days (June 4^th, 5^th, and 12^th) at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn, Virginia.

“The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild and Virginia Craft Beer Cup’s 10^th Anniversary is an amazing milestone,” said Janell Zurschmeide, Dirt Farm Brewing and VCBG Chair.

“Celebrating the 2021 Cup competitors and winners with friends and colleagues is a fitting tribute to our members’ commitment to amazing independent craft beer.”

Award winners will be featuring their beers in their tasting rooms and through their wholesale and retail partners.

And now (drum roll please), the 2021Virginia Craft Beer Cup winners…

BEST IN SHOW

First Place               Fair Winds Brewing Company, Quayside Kölsch

Second Place         The Virginia Beer Company, Terminally Pretty

Third Place              Dynasty Brewing Company, 838 Stout

ALTERNATIVE GRAIN(S), SUGAR(S), OR MIXED STYLES

First Place               Blue Mountain Barrel House, Blueberries on Acid

Second Place         St. George Brewing Company, Honey Meade Lager

Third Place             Blue Mountain Barrel House, Raspberries on Acid

AMBER ALE

First Place               Sweetwater Tavern, Great American Restaurants Pale Ale

Second Place                  Moon Hollow Brewing Company, Lunar Highlands

Third Place              Dragon Run Brewing, One Irish Red

AMBER LAGER

First Place               Old Bust Head Brewing Company, Time Lapse

Second Place         Caboose Brewing Co., Vienna, VA Lager

Third Place              The Bold Mariner Brewing Company, Frogman Lager

BROWN ALE

First Place               Dragon Run Brewing, Beanfield Brown

Second Place         Nansemond Brewing Station, BEEnut Butter Nut Brown Ale

Third Place              The Board Room VA, The Bishop Brown

BOCK

First Place               Sweetwater Tavern, Sidewinder Bock

Second Place         Lake Anne Brew House, Behind Maibock

Third Place             Wasserhund Brewing Company, April Showers

DARK LAGER

First Place               Young Veterans Brewing Company, What About Us Lagers?

Second Place         Twin Creeks Brewing Company, Black Bar Bier

Third Place              Broken Window Brewing Company, Blitzn’d

FRUIT

First Place               Olde Salem Brewing Company, Bare Necessities

Second Place         Dirt Farm Brewing, Fluster Cluck

IPA

First Place               Pale Fire Brewing Company, Arrant IPA

Second Place         Fair Winds Brewing Company, Howling Gale

Third Place              The Vanguard Brewery & Distillery, Snap Guns IPA

KOLSCH

First Place               Fair Winds Brewing Company, Quayside Kölsch

Second Place         Bear Chase Brewing Company, Kodiak Kolsch

Third Place              Ornery Beer Company, Light of Cologne

MIXED FERMENTATION

First Place               Fine Creek Brewing Company, Rosé Gose

Second Place         Reason Beer, Wood Song Red

Third Place              Maker’s Craft Brewery, Barrel Aged Sour Cherry Porter

PALE ALE

First Place               Lost Barrel Brewing, Farm Ale

Second Place         Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, Westerly

Third Place             Old Ox Brewery, Ernest Cream Ale

Honorable Mention Cave Hill Farms Brewery, Pathfinder Pale Ale

PALE LAGER

First Place               The Virginia Beer Company, Terminally Pretty

Second Place         7 Dogs Brew Pub, CBL Lager

Third Place              Iron Pipe Alewerks, Four Horsemen of Helles

PILSNER

First Place               New Realm Brewing Co., Euphonia Pilsner

Second Place         Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, Found Artifacts

Third Place              Rocket Frog Brewing Company, Žába

PORTER

First Place               Black Hoof Brewing Company, Duck Blind Baltic Porter

Second Place         Port City Brewing Company, Porter

Third Place              Old Ox Brewery, Black Ox

SPECIALTY IPA

First Place               Ballad Brewing, Love Wins Wheat IPA

Second Place         Eastern Divide Brewing Company, Cliffhanger Session IPA

Third Place              Precarious Beer Project, Jiu Jitsu Shih Tzu

Honorable Mention 2 Silos Brewing Co., Mosaic Goat

STOUT

First Place               Dynasty Brewing Company, 838 Stout

Second Place         The Virginia Beer Company, Elbow Patches

Third Place             Sweetwater Tavern, High Desert Imperial Stout

STRONG ALE

First Place               Olde Salem Brewing Company, Death Letter

Second Place         Beltway Brewing Company, Art in Execution

Third Place              Broken Window Brewing Company, The Highlander

VEGETABLE/SPICE

First Place               Tucked Away Brewing Company, Local National (Jalapeño)

Second Place         Water’s End Brewery, Christmas Quad

Third Place              That Damn Mary Brewing Company, Smack It Like Its Hot

WHEAT BEER

First Place               Ornery Beer Company, Down Wit It

Second Place         The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Fat Bird

Third Place             Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve, Leipziger Gose

WOOD & SMOKE

First Place               Cedar Run Brewery, Barrel Aged Gus Imperial Stout

Second Place         Brothers Craft Brewing, Resolute

Third Place              Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Tom Cat Wheatwine

Honorable Mention Mountain Valley Brewing, Porter’s Porter

“The Guild is excited to celebrate its 10^th Anniversary said Brett Vassey, VCBG President & CEO, and recognizing the winners of the 2021 Virginia Craft Beer Cup is the best way to celebrate.”

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