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2022 – U.S. Open Beer Championship in the News

On TV, Radio, Newspapers, Blogs, etc.

WISH-TV – Indy
Dave Colt (founder and brewmaster) talks about U.S. Open Beer Championship on Channel 8 WISH-TV – Indy
https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/sun-king-takes-top-honors-at-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship/
Sun King Brewery Interview - 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship

The Record Courier  – Nevada
Shoe Tree named second best brewer in U.S.
https://www.recordcourier.com/news/2022/jul/20/shoe-tree-named-second-best-brewer-us/

CarsonNow – Carson City, Nevada
Shoe Tree Brewing in Carson City, Minden bring home 6 U.S. Open Beer Championship medals
https://carsonnow.org/story/07/18/2022/shoe-tree-brewing-carson-city-minden-bring-home-6-us-open-beer-championship-medals

Pasadena Star News
Southern California craft breweries win gold in the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/07/18/southern-california-craft-breweries-win-gold-in-the-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship/

That’s So Tampa
Six Tampa Bay breweries win U.S. Open Beer Championship medals
https://thatssotampa.com/tampa-bay-brewery-winners/

Beer Connoisseur
Wallenpaupack Brewing Co. Wins Two Awards at US Open Beer Championship
https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/wallenpaupack-brewing-co-wins-two-awards-us-open-beer-championship

Sacramento Business Journal
Moonraker Brewing Gets Big Honor at U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2022/07/18/moonraker-brewing-us-open-beer-championship.html

Fox 2 – Detroit
10 Michigan breweries pick up awards at US Open Beer Championship
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/10-michigan-breweries-pick-up-awards-at-us-open-beer-championship

Fox 59
Sun King Brewery named 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championships winner
https://fox59.com/indiana-news/sun-king-brewery-named-2022-u-s-open-beer-championships-winner/

WTHR – Channel 13 – Indianapolis
Sun King takes top honors at national beer competition
https://www.wthr.com/article/money/business/small-business/sun-king-brewery-takes-top-honors-at-national-beer-competition/531-5891cd25-5728-48cd-adf5-2c42ffcfb958

Hamilton County Reporter
Sun King Brewery earns Grand National Champion title at U.S. Open Beer Competition
https://readthereporter.com/sun-king-brewery-earns-grand-national-champion-title-at-u-s-open-beer-competition/

Texas Outdoor Odysseys –
Dallas/Fort Worth Medal Winners at the U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://do214.com/p/us-open-beer-championship-2022-dallas-fort-worth-medal-winners

Charlotte Observer
Charlotte brewery makes Top 10 at the U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article263351713.html

In Niagara – Ontario
Two Ukrainian-solidarity beers by Niagara College win silvers at U.S. beer championship
https://www.insauga.com/two-ukrainian-solidarity-beers-by-niagara-college-win-silvers-at-u-s-beer-championship/

The Denver Post
Colorado Breweries Win 15 Medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://www.denverpost.com/2022/07/12/colorado-us-open-beer-championship/

The Denver Gazette
Colorado Breweries Win 15 Awards at the U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://denvergazette.com/life/food-dining-beer/15-colorado-craft-beers-win-awards-at-us-open-beer-championship/article_9bb66d0b-74be-55bf-ad66-712e0cab8252.html

The Lincoln Star
Lincoln Brewery Wins Gold Medal at U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://journalstar.com/entertainment/dining/lincoln-brewery-wins-gold-medal-at-u-s-open-beer-championships/article_ee6e58d6-2431-59fc-a97e-34271a9bc4ee.html

The Cincinnati Enquirer
Cincinnati breweries dominate at US Open Beer Championship
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/nightlife/bars-and-clubs-news/2022/07/13/us-open-beer-championship-cincinnati-breweries-dominate/10031049002/

WDTN – Channel 2
Cincinnati’s Third Eye Brewing named one of top breweries in US
https://www.wdtn.com/nexstar-media-wire/us-open-beer-championship-names-best-breweries-funniest-beer-names-of-2022/

WISH-TV
Sun King earns Grand National Champion honors
https://www.wishtv.com/news/inside-indiana-business/sun-king-earns-grand-national-champion-honors/

Inside Indiana Business
Sun King earns Grand National Champion honors
https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/sun-king-named-earns-grand-national-champion-honors

K2 Radio – Wyoming
Laramie Brewery Makes Top 10 at 2022U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://k2radio.com/laramie-brewery-makes-top-10-at-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship/

WBTCV – Charlotte
Charlotte brewery ranks in the top 5 in U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://qclife.wbtv.com/2022/07/13/charlotte-brewery-ranks-top-5-us-open-beer-championship/

KOIN Channel 6 Oregon
14 Oregon beers win medals in 2022 US Open Beer Championships
https://www.koin.com/local/14-oregon-beers-win-medals-in-2022-us-open-beer-championships/

Paper City Magazine – Texas
North Texas Breweries Win Big in the ‘Super Bowl’ of Beer — See the State’s Triumphant Brews
https://www.papercitymag.com/restaurants/north-texas-craft-beer-winners-super-bowl-beer/

Laramie Live – Wyoming
Laramie Brewery Makes Top 10 at 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://laramielive.com/laramie-brewery-makes-top-10-at-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship/

Triad Business Journal – Winston-Salem NC
Graham brewery wins gold at national beer competition; two others in Triad medal
https://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2022/07/13/graham-brewery-wins-gold-medal.html

MYSA
San Antonio brewery wins 2 gold, 3 medals at 2022 U.S. Beer Open
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-brewery-US-Beer-Open-17299468.php

Boulder Daily Camera
Area breweries win medals at U.S. Open
https://www.dailycamera.com/2022/07/12/area-breweries-win-medals-at-u-s-open/

Loveland, CO
Loveland brewer earns medal in national beer competition
https://www.reporterherald.com/2022/07/14/loveland-brewer-earns-medal-in-national-beer-competition/

Breweries in PA
BRÜ DADDY’S Brewing Wins at US Open Beer Championship For 3rd Year In A Row
https://breweriesinpa.com/bru-daddys-brewing-wins-at-us-open-beer-championship-for-3rd-year-in-a-row/

Channel 8 Tampa
US Open Beer Championship names best breweries, funniest beer names of 2022
https://www.wfla.com/nextstar-news-wire/us-open-beer-championship-names-best-breweries-funniest-beer-names-of-2022/

OutThere Colorado
15 Colorado craft beers win awards at US Open Beer Championship
https://www.outtherecolorado.com/news/15-colorado-craft-beers-win-awards-at-us-open-beer-championship/article_9fdfece8-02eb-11ed-b588-337f097949c1.html

Texas Craft Brewers Guild
Texas Craft Brewers Take Home 36 Medals at U.S. Open Beer Championship

Texas Craft Brewers Take Home 36 Medals at U.S. Open Beer Championship

Beer In the Big D
North Texas Hauls in 19 medals at the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://www.beerinbigd.com/2022/07/north-texas-hauls-in-19-medals-at-2022.html

Breweries in PA
Wallenpaupack Brewing Wins Two Awards at the 2022 US Open Beer Competition
https://breweriesinpa.com/wallenpaupack-brewing-wins-two-awards-at-the-2022-us-open-beer-competition/

2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship Winners From Pennsylvania
https://breweriesinpa.com/2022-u-s-open-beer-championship-winners-from-pennsylvania/

The Hill
US Open Beer Championship names best breweries, funniest beer names of 2022
https://thehill.com/homenews/nexstar_media_wire/3558018-us-open-beer-championship-names-best-breweries-funniest-beer-names-of-2022/

Country 103.7
Charlotte Brewery Makes the Top 10 at U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://country1037fm.com/listicle/charlotte-brewery-makes-the-top-10-at-u-s-open-beer-championship/

Wellsvillesun.com
Model A Brewing Among Top Breweries Honored at The US Open Beer Championship
https://wellsvillesun.com/blog/2022/07/12/model-a-brewing-among-top-breweries-honored-at-the-us-open-beer-championship/

Washington Beer Blog
Washington Brewers win big at U.S. Open Beer Championship
http://washingtonbeerblog.com/washington-brewers-win-big-at-u-s-open-beer-championship/

Fox 8 – NC
North Carolina snags victories in US Open Beer Championship 2022
https://myfox8.com/news/north-carolina/north-carolina-snags-victories-in-us-open-beer-championship-2022/

NC Beer Guys
North Carolina Breweries Win 30 medals at the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship

North Carolina Breweries Win 30 medals at the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship

Daily Bulletin –  California
Southern California craft breweries win gold in the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://www.dailybulletin.com/2022/07/18/southern-california-craft-breweries-win-gold-in-the-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship/

Craft Brewing Business
Beers to know this week: Winners at the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/beer-of-the-month/beers-to-know-this-week-winners-at-the-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship/

Better on Draft
Michigan’s 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship Winners
https://www.betterondraft.com/articles/michigans-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship-winners

ESPN102.3 – Sioux Falls
U.S. Open Beer Champions of Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa 
https://espnsiouxfalls.com/u-s-open-beer-champions-of-minnesota-south-dakota-iowa

Third Eye Brewing wins third overall at 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship
https://mmamckinney.com/2022/07/third-eye-brewing-wins-third-overall-at-2022-u-s-open-beer-championship.html

American Craft Beer
2022 US OPEN BEER CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
https://www.americancraftbeer.com/2022-us-open-beer-championship-winners/

WJON FM95.3
Minnesota Beers Win Awards At U.S. Open Beer Championships
https://wjon.com/minnesota-beers-win-awards-at-u-s-open-beer-championships/ 

Southlake Style – Texas
Cowtown Brewing Co. Wins Silver Lager Award
https://www.southlakestyle.com/food/cowtown-brewing-co-wins-silver-lager-award/

The Patch – Dunedin, FL
Cueni Brewing Wins Big + Local Business Owners Love Tiki
https://patch.com/florida/dunedin/cueni-brewing-wins-big-local-business-owners-love-tiki

Abbeyfeale
Sun King takes top honors at 2022 US Open Beer Championship – WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather
https://abbeyfealegolfclub.com/sun-king-takes-top-honors-at-2022-us-open-beer-championship-wish-tv-indianapolis-news-indiana-weather/ 

Biz West
Area breweries win medals at U.S. Open
https://bizwest.com/2022/07/12/area-breweries-win-medals-at-u-s-open/

News 4 – Oklahoma
US Open Beer Championship names best breweries, funniest beer names of 2022
https://kfor.com/news/nexstar-media-wire/us-open-beer-championship-names-best-breweries-funniest-beer-names-of-2022/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sun King Crowned Grand National Champion at the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship

Sun King Crowned Grand National Champion at the 2022 US Open Beer Championship

Sun King Crowned
Grand National Champion at the 2022 U.S. Open Beer Championship

(July 11, 2022)The annual U.S. Open Beer Competition returned to its normal schedule at its new event center in Oxford, Ohio following two years of pandemic-related schedule changes. Breweries sent more than 9,000 brews representing over 150 styles of beer to be judged, along with home brews that have medaled at the 2021 American Homebrew Association’s national competition.

U.S. Open Beer Competition president Dow Scoggins today announced all medal winners, and Sun King Brewery of Indianapolis took home the top recognition as Grand National Champion, which goes to the brewery earning the most winning entries, earning four gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

Sun King also earned Grand National Champion status in 2019, “an amazing accomplishment that demonstrates outstanding consistency in the quality of Sun King brews,” Scoggins said, adding that the U.S. Open is a blind competition where the judges only know the categories being judged, not the beers or their breweries. Sun King’s gold medal winners included Sunlight Cream Ale, Cherry Busey Belgian Fruit Beer, Barrel Aged Churrolicious, and Golden Girls Barrel-Aged Sour.

Shoe Tree Brewing in Minden, NV placed second overall, winning three gold medals and a silver. Their gold medal winners were Coco Burrito Porter, Taquito Burrito Porter, and Lahontan Brown Ale. Shoe Tree Brewing in Carson City, NV also won two medals.

Third Eye Brewing of Cincinnati took third place overall, earning two gold medals and three silver medals. Their Dark Aura Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout and Double Astra Imperial Chocolate Oatmeal Stout won gold in their respective styles. Third Eye is currently building a new production brewery in Hamilton, Ohio to help meet the demand for their beers.

The U.S. Open is the only major championship to allow gold-medal-winning beers from the AHA National Homebrew Competition to compete against professional breweries. This year, for only the second time in the history of the U.S. Open, Homebrewer Caleb Meinke of Cambridge, WI won a gold medal for his American Wheat Beer.

The Top Ten Breweries
1. Sun King Brewery, Indiana
2. Shoe Tree Brewing, Nevada
3. Third Eye Brewing, Ohio
4. Monday Night Brewing, Georgia
5. Pilot Brewing, North Carolina
6. Vallensons’ Brewing, Texas
7. Moonraker Brewing Company, California
8. Bonds Brewing, Wyoming
9. DC Brau Brewing, Washington, DC
10. Forgotten Star Brewing, Minnesota
10. Primeval Brewing, Indiana

For a complete list of medal winners: Click Here

What’s in a Name?
U.S. Open beer judges always enjoy the creativity behind the names that breweries choose for their products, and judge winners subjectively (based on laughter volume) at the competition’s conclusion. This year’s Top 10 on the laughs meter included:

Top 10 Beer Names
· Still Not as Bitter as Your Ex – N.E.W. Ales Brewing
· Up Schitt’s Kriek – Lost Province Brewing
· It Gose in Your Moutha – Spider Bite Beer Co.
· Kolsch Me if You Can – Pilot Brewing
· Who’s A Good Beer? – Streetside Brewery
· I Need More Cowbelgian – The Common Beer Company
· It’s Pronounced “Phrankensteen” IPA – Listermann Brewing
· There Gose my Pickle – Cueni Brewing Co.
· Tastes Like Flannel – Red Bear Brewing
· Julius Squeezer IPA – Elmhurst Brewing Company

Too Pure to be Pink is Pure Gold
The U.S. Open Beer Championship partnered with the Pink Boots Society, an organization that assists, inspires and encourages women in the fermented/alcoholic beverage profession through education, to create the Pink Boots Blend Category. The organization has partnered with Yakima Chief Hops for several years to sell a special hops blend to benefit the Pink Boots scholarship fund, and all beers developed using this hop blend were eligible to enter the category. Too Pure to Be Pink, brewed by Wild Leap Brew Co. in LaGrange, GA, brought home the gold medal. All entry fees for the category – more than $4,000 – will be donated to the scholarship fund.

Ukrainian Relief
Jon Downing, who sits on the U.S. Open Beer Competition board of directors, helped establish a brewery in Ukraine in the 1990s; the Competition added two new categories at his suggestion to benefit the Ukraine Red Cross: Resist Ukrainian Anti-Imperial stout and Ukraine Gold Ale. Midwest Coast Brewing won the gold for its Ukrainian Gold and Final Gravity Brewing the gold for its Ukrainian Anti-Imperial Stout. Entry fees or $1700 were donated to the fund.

2017 U.S. Open Beer Championship – Top 10 Breweries and Medal Winners

Top 10 Breweries 2017
1. Cherry Street Brewing Cooperative – Cumming, Georgia
2. Black Tooth Brewing – Sheridan, Wyoming
3. Lynnwood Brewing Concern – Raleigh, North Carolina
4. Cigar City Brewing – Tampa Bay, Florida
5. Ecliptic Brewing – Portland, Oregon
6. La Quinta Brewing – La Quinta, Texas
7. Appalachian Mountain Brewing – Boone, North Carolina
8. Guadalope Brewing – Texas
9. Revelry Brewing – Charleston, South Carolina
10. Cameron’s Brewing – Oakville, Ontario
10. Straub Brewing – St Marys, Pennsylvania

2017 U.S. Open Medal Winners
Golden or Blonde ale

Gold – 805 – Firestone Walker Brewing – California
Silver –  Miss Conduct – Moonraker Brewing – California
Bronze –  Debbie Jeau – Brink Brewing – Ohio

English Summer Ale
Gold –  Caught Looking – Black Tooth Brewing – Wyoming
Silver –  All Call – Lakewood Brewing – Texas
Bronze –  Lil Sunshine – Latitude 42 Brewing – Michigan

English Pale Ale
Gold – 10/6 English Pale Ale – Rabbit Hole Brewing – Texas
Silver – Special Pale Ale – Wellington Brewery – Ontario
Bronze – Pale 31 – Firestone Walker Brewing – California

IPA
Gold –  Two Seam – Strike Brewing – California
Silver – Ibex – Crooked Goat Brewing – California
Bronze –  Dankbot – Insight Brewing – Minnesota

Imperial IPA
Gold – Daniel’s Double – Appalachian Mountain Brewing – North Carolina
Silver – Rez Gets Smashed – Witch’s Hat – Michigan
Silver – Idiot IPA – Coronado Brewing – California
Bronze –  Side Hop – 26 Degree Brewing – Florida

Triple IPA
Gold –  Dire Wolf IPA – Alameda Brewing – Oregon
Gold – Lambda – Melvin Brewing – Oregon
Silver – Doubble Hopulus IPA – Pike Brewing – Washington
Bronze – Simtra – Knee Deep Brewing – California

Bitter
Gold –  One Eyed Grouse – Cameron’s Brewing – Ontario
Silver – Lambton Dragon – Insight Brewing – Minnesota
Bronze –  Beer 101 Bitter – Niagara College Teaching Brewery – Ontario

ESB
Gold – Treasure Chest – The Schmohz Brewing Co. – Michigan
Silver – Santa Fe Pale Ale – Santa Fe Brewing – New Mexico
Bronze – Banksy – Burning Beard Brewing – California

English Mild Ale
Gold – Uncle – Rhinegeist Brewery – Ohio
Silver – Pickwick – Mystery Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze – EKG Amber – Foxhole Brewhouse – Minnesota

Brown Ale
Gold – Race Rocks – Lighthouse Brewing – British Columbia
Silver – Maduro – Cigar City Brewing – Florida
Bronze – Bricktop Brown – Perrin Brewing –  Michigan
Bronze – Sweet Jose – Lonerider Brewing – North Carolina

Strong/Imperial Brown Ale
Gold – Winter Coat – StormBreaker Brewing – Oregon
Silver – Black Lab Porter – Middleton Brewing – Texas
Bronze – Wookie Down – Sweetwater Brewing – Georgia

Brown Porters
Gold –  Capella Porter – Ecliptic Brewing – Oregon
Silver – Ponderous – FigLeaf Brewing – Ohio
Bronze – Devil’s Companion – Insight Brewing – Minnesota
Bronze – Dancing Problems – Wise Man Brewing – North Carolina

Robust Porters
Gold – Pioneer Valley Porter – New City Brewing – Massachusetts
Gold – Double Decker – Brew Bus Brewing – Florida
Silver –  Caldera Pilot Rock Porter – Caldera Brewing – Oregon
Bronze – Pops Porter – Wynwood Brewing – Florida

Imperial Porter
Gold – Black Eye – Scratchtown Brewing – Nebraska
Silver – Pagan Night – Stilt House Brewery – Florida
Bronze – Cacao Porter – ENKI Brewing – Minnesota

Classic Irish Dry Stout
Gold –  Dry Stout – Reuben’s Brews – Washington
Silver – St. Stephen’s Green – Mystery Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze  – Kiss my Irish Stout –  Lynnwood Brewing Concern – North Carolina

Foreign Stout
Gold – Foreign Exchange Stout – The Exchange Brewery – Ontario
Silver – Black Mamba – Lauderale – Florida
Bronze –  Belikin Stout – Belize Brewing – Belize

American Stout
Gold – Sir Moch-a-lot Stout – Exile Brewing – Iowa
Silver – Camacho – Infamous Brewing – Texas
Bronze – Little Bull – Mt. Tabor Brewing – Washington
Bronze – Sasquatch – 903 Brewers – Texas

Cream Stout
Gold –  Moozie – Brink Brewing – Ohio
Silver –  Mackeson – Florida Beer Company – Florida
Silver –  Fur Slipper – Hopfusion Ale Works – Texas
Bronze – Lily Flagg Milk Stout – Straight to Ale – Alabama

Oatmeal Stout
Gold – Pure Imagination – Verboten Brewing
Silver – Volcano Mudslide Sweet Stout – Feather Falls Brewing – California
Bronze – Shinnicked Stout – Muskoka Brewery – Ontario
Bronze – The Poet – New Holland Brewing – Michigan

British Imperial Stout
Gold –  Marshal Zhukov – Cigar City Brewing – Florida
Silver –  Little Betty – Nebraska Brewing – Nebraska
Bronze – Cryptid – Coppertail Brewing – Florida

American Imperial Stout 
Gold – O.A.S.I.S – Cherry Street Brewing – Georgia
Silver – Imperial Stout – American Harvest Brewpub – Michigan
Bronze – Night Tripper – New Holland Brewing – Michigan
Bronze – The Nightman Cometh – Drekker Brewing – North Dakota

Old Ale
Gold – Old Snaggletooth – Foxhole Brewhouse – Minnesota
Silver – Vintage 2016 – Fortnight Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze – Beer 101 Strong Ale – NC Teaching Brewery –  Ontario

English Barley Wine
Gold – Shipfaced – Silver Harbor Brewing – Michigan
Silver – Old Scratch Barleywine – Great Dane Brewing – Wisconsin
Bronze – Auld Tallywhacker – Latitude 42 Brewing – Michigan

American Barley Wine
Gold – Keg Nog – Burnside Brewing – Oregon
Silver – Sledge Hammer – Peticolas Brewing – Texas
Bronze – Barleywine – Liquid Mechanics Brewing – Colorado

Scottish Ale
Gold – Scotch Ale – Guadalupe Brewing – Texas
Silver – Caber Tosser – Hunter’s Handmade Brewery – Michigan
Bronze – Old Chub – Oskar Blues Brewery – Colorado

Strong Scottish Ale
Gold – Cinnaster Scotch Ale – Badger State Brewing – Wisconsin
Silver – Real Heavy – Real Ale Brewing – Texas
Bronze – Twisted Whisker Scotch Ale – Barley Brown’s Brewpub – Oregon

Irish Red Ale
Gold – Piper Down – Ballast Point Brewing
Silver – Samuel Adams Irish Red – Samuel Adams Brewery – Pennsylvania
Bronze – Irish Goodbye – Peticolas Brewing – Texas

American Amber / Red
Gold – Bobber’s Big Red Rye – Boiler Brewing – Nebraska
Silver – Hopsconsin – Great Dane Pub & Brewing – Wisconsin
Bronze – Heatwave Amber Ale – La Quinta Brewing – California

Imperial Red Ale
Gold – Off With Your Red IPA – Rabbit Hole Brewing
Silver – Velvet Hammer – Peticolas Brewing
Bronze – Red Rider – The DreamChaser’s Brewery
Bronze – Melisandre – Rock Bottom Brewery Orchards

American Pale Ale
Gold – Powder – Coppertail Brewing – Florida
Silver – Stick’s Pale Ale – Bootstrap Brewing – Colorado
Bronze – Grunion – Ballast Point – California

West Coast IPA
Gold – Hop Sauce – Lynnwood Brewing Concern – North Carolina
Silver – Descender IPA – Goodlife Brewing – Oregon
Bronze – Big Swell IPA – Maui Brewing – Hawaii

East Coast IPA
Gold – Grace and Grit – Great Raft Brewing – Lousiana
Silver – Yard Breather – The Dreamchaser’s Brewery – North Carolina
Bronze – Haze Craze – Torched Hop Brewing – Georgia 

American Brown Ale
Gold – Bitch Creek – Grand Teton’s Brewing – Idaho
Silver – Brown Bear – Big Bear Brewing – Florida
Bronze – JP’s Meetinghouse – Brothers Cascadia Brewing – Washington

American-Style Black Ale
Gold – Once You Go – Lynnwood Brewing Concern – North Carolina
Silver – Bet on Black Dark Cascadian Ale – Feather Falls Brewing – California
Bronze – Black Imperial IPA – Reuben’s Brew – Washington
Bronze – Turmoil – Barley Brown’s Brewpub – Oregon

American Strong Pale Ale
Gold – Hop on Top – Lynnwood Brewing – North Carolina
Silver – Goofy Foot – Moonraker Brewing – California
Bronze – Classic IPA – Full Sail Brewing – Oregon

International Style Pale Ale
Gold – Hop Anatomy – Revision Brewing – Nevada
Silver – Pale Ale – Yee Haw Brewing –  Tennessee
Bronze – Hand Truck Pale Ale – Barley Browns Brewpub – Oregon

Altbier
Gold –  Little Red Cap – Grimm Brothers Brewhouse – Colorado
Silver – Altbier – Reuben’s Brew Small Batch – Washington
Bronze – Amber Altbier – Liquid Mechanics Brewing – Colorado

German Kolsch
Gold – Kolsch – Blue Moon Brewing – Colorado
Silver – Kolsch – Liquid Mechanics Brewing – Colorado
Silver – Gateway Kolsch – Sawdust City – Ontario
Bronze – Keene Kolsch – Elm City Brewing

German Wheat
Gold – Dragons Breath Dark Hefe – Bayern Brewing – Montana
Gold – Dancing Trees Hefeweizen – Feather Falls Brewing – California
Silver – Total Victory – DC Brau – Washington D.C.
Bronze – Reinheitsgeboot – Appalachian Mountain Brewery – North Carolina

German Hefeweizen
Gold – Weisstheimer – 8th Wonder Brewery – Texas
Gold – Weihenstephan Hefeweissbier – Weihenstephan – Germany
Silver – Hula Mastah – Arkane Aleworks – Florida
Bronze – Shotgun Betty – Lonerider Brewing – North Carolina

French / Belgian Saison
Gold – Chapeau Gris – Quarter Barrel Brewery – Ohio
Gold – Spring City Saison – Raised Grain Brewing – Wisconsin
Silver – Dirty Frenchman – Cherry Street Brewing – Georgia
Bronze – FiFi – Locavore Beer Works – Colorado

Belgian Pale Ale
Gold – Garnet – Middletown Brewing – Texas
Silver – G.P.A – Gino’s Brewing – Illinois
Bronze – Mons Blonde D’Abbaye – Belgh Brasse – Canada

French / Belgian Ale
Gold – Lazy Lover – Revelry Brewing – South Carolina
Silver – Emmalynn –  White Street Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze – Le Champ De Vesna – Hansa Brewery – Ohio

Belgian Dubbel
Gold – Soest Road circa 1995 – Public House Brewing – Missouri
Silver – Wild Duck – Tripping Animals – Florida
Bronze – Dub Sack – Melvin Brewing(Jackson) – Wyoming
Bronze – Cadence – Reformation Brewery – Georgia

Belgian Tripel
Gold – Monk With Us – Tradesman Brewing – South Carolina
Gold – Third Man – Brasserie Saint James – Nevada
Silver – Farm’s Edge: Dinnsen’s Orchard – Fullsteam Brewery – North Carolina
Bronze – Captains Trips – Elm City Brewing – New Hampshire

Belgian Quadrupel
Gold – Wiseman’s View – Appalachian Mountain Brewing – North Carolina
Silver – BROHEAD FRED – Apocalypse Ale Works – Virginia
Bronze – Responsibly – Nebraska Brewing – Nebraska

Sour/Belgian Lambic
Gold – Red 5 Standing By – Revelry Brewing – South Carolina
Silver – Phoenix of Flanders – Wild Ride Brewing – Oregon
Bronze – Sleeping Dragons – Green Bench Brewing – Florida

Belgian Witbier
Gold – Walloon Witbier – Badger State Brewing – Wisconsin
Silver – Spotted Cow – Amsterdam Brewing – Ontario
Bronze – Scattered Sun – Southbound Brewing – Georgia

Berliner-Style Weisse
Gold – Coriolis Effect – Sawdust City Brewing – Ontario
Silver – Noble Star Galactic Collision – August Schell Brewing – Minnesota
Bronze – Street Weisse – Crooked Lane Brewing – California

Gose
Gold – Prophets & Nomands Gose – Collective Arts Brewing – Ontario
Silver – Pokemon Gose – Grand Canyon Brewing – Arizona
Bronze – PSBC Gose – Pasteur Street Brewing – Vietnam

American Light
Gold – Straub Light – Straub Brewery – Pennsylvania
Silver – 3 Speed – Amsterdam Brewing – Ontario
Bronze – Pinky Restraint – Derrick Flippin(Homebrewer)  – North Carolina

American Lager/Pilsener
Gold – La Bit…Tibi – Amos Lager – Belgh Brasse –  Quebec
Silver – Captain’s Log Lager – Cameron’s Brewing – Ontario
Bronze – La Choby – Brick Works Brewing – Delaware
Bronze – Huda – Carlsberg Vietnam – Vietnam

American Premium Lager
Gold –  Long Day Lager – Red Hare Brewing – Georgia
Silver – Sessions Premium Lager – Full Sail Brewing – Oregon
Bronze – California Craft Lager – Mission Brewing – California

American Amber/CA Common
Gold –  McSteamy – Barnaby Brewing – Alaska
Gold –  Boatwright – Tradesman Brewing – South Carolina
Silver – Dream Steam – Keith Eisel(Homebrewer) – North Carolina
Bronze – Pinsetter Amber Lager – Real Ale Brewing – Texas

Bohemian Pilsener
Gold – Steam Whistle Pilsner – Steam Whistle Brewing – Ontario
Gold – 2nd Set Pilsner – Urban South Brewery – Louisiana
Silver – Highway 1 – Bankhead Brewing – Texas
Bronze – Buffalo Rodeo – Dekker Brewing – North Dakota

German Lager / Pilsener
Gold – Ta Ta – Cherry Street Brewing – Georgia
Silver – Chico Temido – Pedernales Brewing – Texas
Bronze – Simmer Pils – Discreation Brewing – California

International Style Pilsner
Gold – Session Cerveza – Full Sail Brewing – Oregon
Silver – Sweetwater Mexican Lager – Sweetwater Brewing – Georgia
Bronze – Pachanga – Sun King Brewing – Indiana

American Imperial Pilsner
Gold – Wild Boy Hopped Lager – Straub Brewery – Pennsylvania
Silver – Beavo – Firestone Walker Brewing – California
Bronze – Schell’s American Pale Lager – August Schell Brewing – Minnesota

Munchner Helles, Light
Gold – Helles Lager – New Oberpfalz Brewing – Indiana
Silver – Samuel Adams Gold Hour – Samuel Adams Brewery – Pennsylvania
Bronze – Heliopolis – Red River Brewing – Louisiana
Bronze – Helles Angel – Black Cloister Brewing – Ohio

Munchner Dunkel / Dark
Gold –  Tall Dunkel and Handsome – Loma Brewing – California
Silver – Munich Dark – Capital Brewery – Wisconsin
Bronze – Dunkel – Yee-Haw Brewing – Tennessee

Marzen / Oktoberfest/
Gold –  Lobo Oktoberfest – Pedernales Brewing – Texas
Silver – Marzen Lager – Revelation Craft Brewing – Delaware
Bronze – Oktoberfest – Spilled Grain Brewhouse – Minnesota

Vienna
Gold –  Firebrick – August Schell Brewing – Minnesota
Silver – Gustaw – Taft’s Ale House – Ohio
Bronze – 914 Vienna Lager – Yonkers Brewing – New York
Bronze – Thanks for the (Decoctoion) Pot Dan – Derrick Flippin(Homebrewer) – North Carolina

Schwarzbier
Gold – Black Flag – Hansa Brewery – Ohio
Silver – The Black Lager – Silversmith Brewing – Ontario
Bronze – Babe’s Blackfin Lager – Babe’s Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse – California

Bock
Gold –  Mystic Bock – Arches Brewing – Georgia
Silver – Five O’Bock Somewhere – La Quinta Brewing – California
Bronze – Boulder Bock – Straub Brewery – Pennsylvania

Dopple / Strong Bock
Gold – Regulator – Rahr & Sons Brewing – Texas
Silver – Emancipator – Spilled Grain Brewhouse – Minnesota
Bronze – Spectator – On Tour Brewing – Illinois

Baltic Porter 
Gold – Black Eagle Porter – Black Tooth Brewing – Wyoming
Silver – Teddi – Rock Bottom Brewery Orchards – Colorado
Bronze – Baltic Porter – Elm City Brewing – New Hampshire
Bronze – Old Mad Joy – Great Raft Brewing –  Louisiana

American Cream Ale
Gold – Kinnikinnick Kream – Spilled Grain Brewhouse – Minnesota
Silver – NEP Cream Ale – Norris English Pub and Brewery – Indiana
Bronze – Cosmic Cream Ale – Cameron’s Brewing – Ontario
Bronze – Canu – Uberbrew – Montana

American Light Wheat
Gold – Float Trip – Piney River Brewing – Missouri
Silver – Wagon Box Wheat – Black Tooth Brewing – Wyoming
Bronze – Tumble Wheat – Altitude Chophouse & Brewery – Wyoming

American Wheat Dark
Gold – Shredder’s Wheat – Barley Brown’s Brewpub – Oregon
Silver – Walnut Wheat – Piney River Brewing – Montana

American Specialty Wheat
Gold – Sex A Peel – Infamous Brewing – Texas
Silver – Oberon – Bell’s Brewing – Michigan
Bronze – Session Wheat – Full Sail Brewing – Oregon
Bronze – Window Screen Wheat – Crow Hop Brewing – Colorado

American Style Fruit Beer
Gold – Raspberry Uber – Nickel Brook Brewing – Ontario
Silver – Raspberry Wheat – Alaskan Brewing – Alaska
Silver – Watermelon Gose – Boiler Brewing – Nebraska
Bronze – Watermelon Wheat – Tailgate Beer – Tennessee

Belgian Style Fruit Beer
Gold – Butler Brew Ale of Eros – Butler Brew Works – Pennsylvania
Silver – Dragon Fruit Gose – Pasteur Street Brewing – Vietnam
Bronze –  Cape Canaveral – Launch Pad Brewing – Colorado
Bronze –  Cherry Bussey – Sun King Brewing – Indiana

Vegetable beer
Gold – Ceres – Nickel Brook Brewing – Ontario
Silver – Cucumber Saison – Resurgence Brewing – New York
Bronze – Rhubarb Gose – Birds Fly South Ale Project – South Carolina

Coconut
Gold – NORM – Wormtown Brewery – Massachusetts
Silver – White Mountain Porter – Big Island Brewhaus – Hawaii
Bronze – Imperial Coconut Porter – Maui Brewing – Hawaii

Pumpkin
Gold – Pumpkin Texas Honey Ale – Guadalupe Brewing – Texas
Silver – Good Gourd – Cigar City Brewing – Florida
Bronze – Pumpkin Pedaler – StormBreaker Brewing – Oregon

Herb and Spice beer
Gold – La Nina – LauderAle – Florida
Silver – Birra Morena Unica – Drive Beer S.R.L. – Italy
Bronze – Tropic Pressure – Big Storm Brewing – Florida

Chili Beer
Gold – El Diablo – Latitude 42 Brewing – Michigan
Silver – Pyro’s Prost – Hop Dogma Brewing – California
Bronze – Gimme Swelter – Arkane Aleworks – Florida

Chocolate / Cocoa Beer
Gold – Darkest Day – Loveland Aleworks – Colorado
Silver – Curb Check – Brew Bus Brewing – Florida
Bronze – Cyclo – Pasteur Street Brewing – Vietnam

Coffee beer
Gold – Coffee Maple Achromatic – WeldWerks Brewing – Colorado
Silver – 2016 Four Seasons “Winter” – Mother Earth Brew Co. –  California
Bronze – Whole Hog Espresso Stout – Stevens Point Brewing – Wisconsin
Bronze – Midnight Espresso – Motorworks Brewing – Florida

Rye / Roggen Beer
Gold – Rickshaw Rye IPA – Crank Arm Brewing – North Carolina
Silver – Rockbiter Roggenbier – Hop Dogma Brewing – California
Bronze – Rastafa Rye Ale – Blue Point Brewing – New York
Bronze – Hairpin – Hopfuison Ale Works – Texas

Smoked / Rauch Beer
Gold – Caldera Rauch Ur Bock – Caldera Brewing – Oregon
Silver – My Turn Series Nathan Smoked Dark Lager – Lakefront Brewery – Wisconsin
Bronze – Burnt Fog – Track 7 Brewing – California

Honey Beer
Gold – Old Town Honey Wheat – La Quinta Brewing – California
Silver – Feisty Blonde – Hopfuison Ale Works – Texas
Silver – Summer Honey Wheat – Blue Moon Brewing – Colorado
Bronze – Honey Kolsch – Rogue Ales – Oregon

Wood / Barrel aged pale beer
Gold – Tequila Barrel Aged IPA – Stillmank Brewing – Wisconsin
Silver – New Wood Brett Saison – Cameron’s Brewing – Canada
Bronze – BAM – Sun King Brewing – Indiana

Wood / Barrel aged dark beer
Gold – Bourbon Barrel Aged Koffi Porter – La Quinta Brewing – California
Silver – Barrel Aged Savanah Brown – Coastal Empire Beer – Georgia
Bronze – Fig & Raisin – Mother Earth Brewing – North Carolina

Wood / Barrel aged strong beer
Gold – Samuel Adam Utopias – Boston Beer Company – Massachusetts
Gold – Damebier on Maple – Cherry Street Brewing – Georgia
Silver – Garage #6 – Monday Night Brewing Georgia
Bronze – 1314 – Blacktooth Brewing – Wyoming

Wood/Barrel-Aged Strong Stout
Gold – Oort Imperial Stout – Ecliptic Brewing – Oregon
Silver – Tears of My Enemies – Monday Night Brewing – Georgia
Bronze – Wonderwall – Cherry Street Brewing – Georgia 

Wood/Barrel-Aged Sour Beer
Gold – The Topsail – Cape May Brewing – New Jersey
Gold – New Fashioned – Pure Project – California
Silver – Prichard’s BA Excommunication – Max Lagers Brewery – Georgia
Bronze – Lion’s Mane – JDubs Brewing – Florida

Wood/Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale
Gold – Barrel Aged Scottish Reign – 5th Street Brewing – Ohio
Silver – Commando – Sprecher Brewing – Wisconsin
Bronze – Dambier – Cherry Street Brewing – Georgia
Bronze – Kings Reserve – Hairless Hare Brewing – Ohio

Wood/Barrel-Aged Barley Wine
Gold – Port Barrel Aged Hurly Burly – Out of Bounds Brewing
Silver – Mirror Mirror – Deschutes Brewery – Oregon
Silver – Apple Brandy Cold North Wind – Port Jeff Brewing – New York
Bronze – Guardian’s Slumber – Stone Brewing – California

Aged Beer
Gold – Funken City – Insight Brewing – Minnesota
Silver – Quadtum Leap – Revelry Brewing – South Carolina
Bronze – Barley Wine 2014 – Latitude 42 Brewing – Michigan

Out of Bounds Pale Ale
Gold – Hot Streak IPA – Black Tooth Brewing
Silver – Blood Orange Citrus Breeze – Coastal Empire Beer Co. – Georgia
Bronze – ‘ONA – Infamous Brewing

Out of Bounds IPA
Gold – Voodoo Ranger Juicy Mandarina IPA – New Belgium Brewing – Colorado
Silver – Lorenzini IPA – Maui Brewing – Hawaii
Bronze – Golden Guava – Track Seven Brewing – California
Bronze – Maui Express – Denver Beer Company – Colorado

Experimental Beer
Gold – Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout – Cigar City Brewing – Florida
Silver – Sin Mint Temptress – Lakewood Brewing – Texas
Bronze – Edge of A Dream – Appalachian Mountain Brewing – North Carolina

Specialty/Anything Goes
Gold –   No Rules – Perrin Brewing – Michigan
Silver – Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Brown Ale – Big Bear Brewing – Florida
Bronze – Sweep The Leg – Infamous Brewing Company – Texas

American-Belgo-Style Ale
Gold – Forequarter Five – Great Dane Pub & Brewing – Wisconsin
Silver – White IPA – Badger Hill Brewing – Minnesota
Bronze – Whitewall Wheat – Crank Arm Brewing – North Carolina

Kellerbier or Zwickelbier
Gold – Spectra Hoppy Pilsner – Ecliptic Brewing – Oregon
Silver – Ol’ Keller – Hop Dogma Brewing – California

Brett Beer
Gold – Thrice Rice – Green Bench Brewing – Florida
Silver – 1904 – Brasserie Saint James – Nevada
Bronze – Crossed Eyed Lefty – Denver Beer Company – Colorado

Sessions Beer
Gold – Hyper Retro – Platform Beer Company – Ohio
Silver – Blackberry Beret – Yee-Haw Brewing – Tennessee
Bronze – Blk Wlf – Able Seedhouse and Brewery – Minnesota

Session IPA
Gold – Spinnaker –  Moonraker Brewing – California
Silver – Creekside Session Ale – 42 North Brewing – New York
Bronze – The Show – Big Storm Brewing – Florida

Gluten-Free Beer
Gold – Gluten-Free Saison – The Exchange Brewery – Ontario
Silver – Ghostfish IPA – GhostFish Brewing – Washington
Bronze – When Life Gives You Hops Make Lemons – Oak & Dagger Public House – North Carolina

Near Gluten Free
Gold – Pure Imagination – Verboten Brewing – Colorado
Silver – Citra Pale Ale – Bone Hook Brewing – Florida
Bronze – Stone Delicious IPA – Stone Brewing – California

Hard Root Beer
Gold – Root Beer – Mission Brewing – California
Silver – Root Beer – Sprecher Brewing – Wisconsin

Peanut Butter/Nuts Beer
Gold – Peanut Butter Porter – Liquid Mechanics Brewing – Colorado
Silver – Pecan Chocolate Stout – Guadalupe Brewing Company – Texas
Bronze – Roadside Peanut Butter Porter – Crooked Handle Brewing – Ohio

Root Beer 
Gold – Saranac Root Beer – Saranac Brewing – New York
Silver –  Root Beer – Sprecher Brewing – Wisconsin
Bronze – Bear Wizz Root Beer – Adirondack Brewery – New York

Non-Alcoholic 
Gold – MADD Virgin – Hill Street Beverage – Canada
Silver – Designated Draft – Hill Street Beverage – Canada
Bronze – Partake Brewing IPA – Partake Brewing – Canada

Lagers

Category 54: American Light Lager
These beers are extremely light colored, light in body, and high in carbonation. Calorie level should not exceed 125 per 12 ounce serving. Corn, rice, or other grain or sugar adjuncts are often used. Flavor is mild, and hop bitterness and aroma is negligible to very low. Light fruity esters are acceptable. Chill haze and diacetyl should be absent.
ABV: 3.50% – 4.40%
IBUs: 5-10
Color SRM: 1.5-4

Category 55: American Lager/Pilsner
Light in body and color, American lagers are very clean and crisp and aggressively carbonated. Flavor components should be subtle and complex, with no one ingredient dominating the others. Malt sweetness is light to mild. Corn, rice, or other grain or sugar adjuncts are often used. Hop bitterness, flavor and aroma are negligible to very light. Light fruity esters are acceptable. Chill haze and diacetyl should be absent.
ABV: 4.10% – 5.10%
IBU: 5-14
Color SRM: 2-4

Category 56: American Premium Lager
This style has low malt (and adjunct) sweetness, is medium bodied, and should contain no or a low percentage (less than 25%) of adjuncts. Color may be light straw to golden. Alcohol content and bitterness may also be greater. Hop aroma and flavor is low or negligible. Light fruity esters are acceptable. Chill haze and diacetyl should be absent.
ABV: 4.10% – 5.10%
IBU: 6-15
Color SRM: 2-6

Category 57: American Amber Lager
A. Subcategory: American-Style Amber Lager
American-style amber lagers are light amber to amber or copper colored. They are medium bodied. There is a noticeable degree of caramel-type malt character in flavor and often in aroma. This is a broad category in which the hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma may be accentuated or may only be present at relatively low levels, yet noticeable. Fruity esters, diacetyl, and chill haze should be absent.
ABV: 4.80% – 5.40%
IBUs: 18–30
Color SRM: 6–14

B. Subcategory: California Common Beer
California Common Beer is light amber to amber in color and is medium bodied. There is a noticeable degree of caramel-type malt character in flavor and often in aroma. Hop bitterness impression is medium to medium high and is balanced with a low to medium-low degree of fruity esters and malt character and give an impression of balance and drinkability. Hop flavor and aroma is low to medium-low. California Common Beer is a style of beer brewed with lager yeasts but at ale fermentation temperatures. Diacetyl and chill haze should be absent.
ABV: 4.60% – 5.70%
IBUs: 35-45
Color SRM: 8-15

Category 58: Bohemian Pilsener
Bohemian pilseners are medium bodied, and they can be as dark as a light amber color. This style balances moderate bitterness and noble-type hop aroma and flavor with a malty, slightly sweet, medium body. Extremely low levels of diacetyl and low levels of sweet corn-like dimethylsulfide (DMS) character, if perceived, are characteristic of this style and both may accent malt aroma. A toasted-, biscuit-like, bready malt character along with low levels of sulfur compounds may be evident. There should be no chill haze. Its head should be dense and rich.
ABV: 4.1%-5.1%
IBU: 30-45
Color SRM: 3-7

Category 59: German Lager/Pilsener
A classic German Pilsener is very light straw or golden in color and well hopped. Hop bitterness is high. Noble-type hop aroma and flavor are moderate and quite obvious. It is a well-attenuated, medium-light bodied beer, but a malty residual sweetness can be perceived in aroma and flavor. Very low levels of sweet corn-like dimethylsulfide (DMS) character are below most beer drinker’s taste threshold. Other fermentation or hop related sulfur compounds, when perceived at low levels, may be characteristic of this style. Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be perceived. There should be no chill haze. Its head should be dense and rich.
ABV: 4.6%-5.3%
IBU: 30-40
Color SRM: 3-4

Category 60: International Style Pilsner
International-Style Pilseners are straw to pale. Chill haze should not be perceived. These beers are often brewed with rice, corn, wheat, or other grain or sugar adjuncts making up part of the mash. Residual malt aroma is very low and does not predominate but may be perceived. Very low levels of DMS aroma are acceptable. Fruity-ester and diacetyl aromas should not be perceived. Hop aroma is low. Residual malt sweetness is very low and does not predominate but may be perceived. Hop flavor is low. Hop bitterness is low to medium. Very low levels of DMS flavor if perceived are acceptable. Fruity-ester and diacetyl flavors should not be perceived. Body is light to medium.
ABV: 4.60% – 5.30%
IBU: 17 – 30
Color SRM: 3 – 4

Category 61: American Imperial Pilsner
Imperial pilseners are full bodied, and they can be as dark as a light amber color. This style balances moderate bitterness and noble-type hop aroma and flavor with a malty, slightly sweet, medium body. Extremely low levels of diacetyl and low levels of sweet corn-like dimethylsulfide (DMS) character, if perceived, are characteristic of this style and both may accent malt aroma. A toasted-, biscuit-like, bready malt character along with low levels of sulfur compounds may be evident. There should be no chill haze. Its head should be dense and rich.
ABV: 6.0%-10.0%
IBU: 30-60
Color SRM: 10-35

Category 62: Münchner Helles
This beer should be perceived as having low bitterness. It is a medium-bodied, malt-emphasized beer; with malt character often balanced with low levels of yeast produced sulfur compounds (character). Certain renditions of this beer style approach a perceivable level of hop flavor (note: hop flavor does not imply hop bitterness) and character but it is essentially balanced with malt character to retain its style identity. Malt character is sometimes bread-like yet always reminiscent of freshly and very lightly toasted malted barley. There should not be any caramel character. Color is light straw to golden. Fruity esters and diacetyl should not be perceived. There should be no chill haze.
ABV: 4.80% – 5.60%
IBU: 18-25
Color SRM: 4-5.5

Category 63: Münchner Dunkel/Dark Larger
Subcategory: Münchner Dunkel
These light brown to dark brown beers have a pronounced malty aroma and flavor that dominates over the clean, crisp, moderate hop bitterness. This beer does not offer an overly sweet impression, but rather a mild balance between malt sweetness, hop bitterness and light to moderate mouthfeel. A classic Münchner Dunkel should have a chocolate-like, roast malt, bread-like or biscuit-like aroma that comes from the use of Munich dark malt. Chocolate or roast malts can be used, but the percentage used should be minimal. Noble-type hop flavor and aroma should be low but perceptible. Diacetyl, ale-like fruity esters and chill haze should not be perceived.
ABV: 4.80% – 5.30%
IBU: 16-25
Color SRM: 15-20

Subcategory: Dark Lager
This beer’s malt aroma and flavor are low but notable. Its color ranges from a very deep copper to a deep, dark brown. Its body is light. Non-malt adjuncts are often used, and hop rates are low. Hop bitterness, flavor, and aroma are low. Carbonation is high. Fruity esters, diacetyl, and chill haze should not be perceived.
ABV: 4.80% – 5.30%
IBU: 14-20
Color SRM: 14-25

Category 64: Märzen/Oktoberfest 
Märzens are characterized by a medium body and broad range of color. They can range from golden to reddish orange. Sweet maltiness should dominate slightly over a clean, hop bitterness. Malt character should be light-toasted rather than strongly caramel (though a low level of light caramel character is acceptable). Bread or biscuit-like malt character is acceptable in aroma and flavor. Hop aroma and flavor should be low but notable. Ale-like fruity esters should not be perceived. Diacetyl and chill haze should not be perceived.
ABV: 5.1%-6.0%
IBU: 18-25
Color SRM: 4-15

Category 65: Vienna-Style Lager
Vienna-Style Lagers are copper to reddish brown. Chill haze should not be perceived. Viennas are characterized by malty aroma, which should have a notable degree of toasted and/or slightly roasted malt character. Hop aroma is very low to low, deriving from noble-type hops. They are also characterized by slight malt sweetness, which should have notable toasted and/or slightly roasted malt character. Hop flavor is very low to low, deriving from noble-type hops. Hop bitterness is low to medium-low, clean and crisp. DMS, diacetyl, and ale-like fruity esters should not be perceived. Body is medium.
ABV: 4.80% – 5.40%
Bitterness (IBU): 22 – 28
Color SRM: 12 – 26

Category 66: Schwarzbier
These very dark brown to black beers have a mild roasted malt character without the associated bitterness. This is not a full-bodied beer, but rather a moderate body gently enhances malt flavor and aroma with low to moderate levels of sweetness. Hop bitterness is low to medium in character. Noble-type hop flavor and aroma should be low but perceptible. There should be no fruity esters. Diacetyl should not be perceived.
ABV: 3.80% – 4.90%
IBU: 22-30
Color SRM: 25-30

Category 67: Bock
Subcategory: German Bock
Traditional bocks are made with all malt and are strong, malty, medium- to full-bodied, bottom-fermented beers with moderate hop bitterness that should increase proportionately with the starting gravity. Hop flavor should be low and hop aroma should be very low. Bocks can range in color from deep copper to dark brown. Fruity esters should be minimal.
ABV: 6.30% – 7.60%
IBU: 20-30
Color SRM: 20-30

Category 68: German Heller Bock/Maibock
The German word helle means light colored, and as such, a heller Bock is light straw to deep golden in color. Maibocks are also light-colored bocks. The malty character should come through in the aroma and flavor. Body is medium to full. Hop bitterness should be low, while noble-type hop aroma and flavor may be at low to medium levels. Bitterness increases with gravity. Fruity esters may be perceived at low levels. Diacetyl levels should be very low. Chill haze should not be perceived.
ABV: 6.3%-8.1%
IBU: 20-38
Color SRM: 4-10

Category 69: Strong Bock
Subcategory: German Strong Doppelbock
Malty sweetness is dominant but should not be cloying. Malt character is more reminiscent of fresh and lightly toasted Munich-style malt; more so than caramel or toffee malt character. Some elements of caramel and toffee can be evident and contribute to complexity, but the predominant malt character is an expression of toasted barley malt. Doppelbocks are full bodied and deep amber to dark brown in color. Astringency from roast malts is absent. Alcoholic strength is high, and hop rates increase with gravity. Hop bitterness and flavor should be low and hop aroma absent. Fruity esters are commonly perceived but at low to moderate levels.
ABV: 6.60% – 7.90%
IBU: 17-27
Color SRM: 12-30

Subcategory: German Strong Eisbock
A stronger version of Doppelbock. Malt character can be very sweet. The body is very full and deep copper to almost black in color. Alcoholic strength is very high. Hop bitterness is subdued. Hop flavor and aroma are absent. Fruity esters may be evident but not overpowering. Typically these beers are brewed by freezing a Doppelbock and removing resulting ice to increase alcohol content.
ABV: 8.60% – 14.30%
IBU: 26-33
Color SRM: 18-50

Category 70: Baltic-Style Porter
A true smooth cold-fermented and cold lagered beer, brewed with lager yeast. Black to very deep ruby/garnet in color. Overall, Baltic Porters have a very smooth lagered character with distinctive caramelized sugars, licorice and chocolate-like character of roasted malts and dark sugars. Roasted dark malts should not contribute bitterness, or astringent roast character. A low degree of smokiness from malt may be evident. Debitterized roast malts are best used for this style. Because of its alcoholic strength, aroma may include gentle (low) lager fruitiness (berries, grapes, plums, not banana; ale-like fruitiness from warm temperature fermentation is not appropriate), complex alcohols, cocoa-like, roast malt (and sometimes coffee-like roast barley, yet not bitter). Hop aroma is very low, though a hint of floral or sweet hop aroma can complement aromatics and flavor without dominance. Baltic Porters are not hop bitter dominated and expressed as low to medium-low. Baltic porters range from having medium to full body complemented with a medium-low to medium level of malty sweetness. No butterscotch-like diacetyl or sweet corn-like dimethylsulfide should be apparent in aroma or flavor.
Alcohol by Volume: 7.60% – 9.10%)
IBU: 35-40
Color SRM: 40+