We blame the industry for this… It used to be that when we wrapped up our Weekend Picks on Friday, we could coast through the weekend. There was little need to check in for updates -things were pretty much done. But clearly all that’s changed – especially with the GABF having just wrapped up!

So here’s some of what’s happened in the world of craft beer while you were off enjoying yourselves.

234 Breweries Win Big-Time Medals at Last Weekend’s GABF – (Denver, CO) – Yes, the GABF is a major league drink-fest, but it’s also a competition and there are a lot of happy brewers flying home with medals today. This year’s competition featured 90 beer categories, covering 145 different beer styles. Winners were chosen from 5,507 entries, submitted by 1,309 breweries, hailing from all 50 states and Washington, DC.

GABF Competition Highlights – Fifty-two breweries won awards as first time entries in last weekend’s competition.

Four Breweries Tied For Most Medals Won, With Three Medals Each:

• 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
• Barley Brown’s Brew Pub
• Devils Backbone Brewing Co.-Outpost
• Left Hand Brewing Co.

Top Three Winning States:

• New Jersey: 19% with 16 entries and three medals
• Alaska: 13% with 16 entries and two medals–tied with Washington, D.C.: 13% with 8 entries and one medal
• New Mexico: 10%  with 84 entries and eight medals

More Nifty GABF Stats:

• 710 breweries in the festival hall
• More than 3,500 beers served at the festival
• 49,000 attendees
• 222 judges from 10 countries
• Average number of beers consumed by the visiting American Craft Beer Crew: 102
• Category with highest number of entries: American-Style India Pale Ale: 279

5 Stupid Questions Alert (Washington, DC) – Be sure and check in with us tomorrow when we recklessly pose 5 stupid questions to Tony Magee, the Founder & CEO of Lagunitas Brewing Company. Tony doesn’t want for attitude and he gives back as good as he gets. Do not miss one of our most outrageous 5 Stupid Questions ever!

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