Oxford, Ohio (July 9, 2019) – Breweries from Russia to Rhode Island sent in more than 7,000 beers representing over 130 different styles for the 2019 U.S. Open Beer Championship. The competition is the only one to include beers from professional breweries and award-winning home-brewers, with judges from England, Canada and the United States.

Sun King Brewing from Indianapolis, Indiana was named Grand National Champion after winning three gold medals and three silver medals. Sun King’s gold medal winners included Pachanga Pilsner, Cherry Busey Belgian Fruit Beer and Midnight Choir Wild Beer. Sun King’s silver medal winners were Shadow Proof Imperial Stout, Barrel Aged Proof and Brandy Barrel Aged Touched by an Angel.

Reuben’s Brewing from Seattle, Washington placed second winning four gold medals. The gold medal winners were Chocolate Box: Hazelnut Praline Imperial Stout, Triple Crush Juicy DIPA, Ink Black Ale and Triumvirate Pale Ale. While Monday Night Garage Brewing out of Atlanta, Georgia placed third by winning 2 gold medals, 2 Silver medals and a bronze. Their gold medal winners were Barrel Aged Como Te Llamas and Last Will and Testament Ale

The U.S. Open is the only major championship to allow winning beers from the AHA’s National Homebrew Competition to compete against professional breweries. This year, home brewers David Byer and John O’Brien from Hot Springs, North Carolina won a bronze medal for their English Barley Wine.

Judging in the U.S. Open Beer Championships is blind; the judges know only the categories, but they do not know what beers they are tasting. The final round of judging was held at the Grandfather’s Barn in Oxford, Ohio.

The U.S. Open Beer Championships judges more beer styles than any other competition in the world. This year, the new styles included a half dozen new barrel aged beers. Most barrel aged beers use whiskey barrels, but this year’s competition included wine, tequila, rum and brandy barrel categories. But, the most unique new style was 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 Crush brewed by SweetWater Brewing in Atlanta, Georgia.

The U.S. Open Beer Championship also “awarded” YMCA Camp Campbell Gard in Hamilton, Ohio a donation of hundreds of ice packs used to pack and deliver U.S. Open Beer entries. YMCA Camp Campbell Gard near Cincinnati has one of the best summer camps in the country for special needs children.

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

Top 10 Most Creative Beer Names
The judges also named a “Judges Award” for the top ten “Most Creative Names.” Among the favorites:
1. This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things – Great Raft Brewing – Louisiana
2. Hazed & Infused Pale Ale – Boulder Beer Company – Colorado
3. Knot Another Dumb Blond Ale – Redbone Magic Brewing – Texas
4. Mother Fuggleb Imperial Brown Ale – Eudora Brewing – Ohio
5. Weirdo with a Beardo Scotch Ale – Big T Brew Pub – Michigan
6. Driving Miss Hazy Ale – Gilgamesh Brewing – Oregon
7. My Dad Barleywine – Atlanta Brewing – Georgia
8. Pit happens Berliner Weiss – Kros Strain Brewing – Texas
9. Light My Friar – American Icon Brewery – Florida
10. SweetWater Brewing Company – Peach Love & Happiness – Georgia
10. Mass Whole Lager – Wormtown Brewery – Massachusetts

Complete List of Medal Winners – Click Here