Top Beers and Ciders Revealed at Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) showcased outstanding achievements in the brewing and cider-making industry during its 2025 edition. This year, the festival awarded a remarkable total of 347 medals to 273 breweries and cideries.
A Historic Competition
Over the course of seven days, 250 expert judges meticulously evaluated 8,315 beer and cider entries. The breweries represented included participants from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. This year’s competition also featured six cider categories and introduced a special Vera Hop category.
- Total breweries and cideries: 273
- Total medals awarded: 347
- Number of beer and cider entries: 8,315
- Judging panel: 250 experts
- Duration of judging: Seven days
Chris Williams, the competition director for the Brewers Association, remarked on the exceptional standard of entries, emphasizing the creativity and dedication found within the brewing community. He expressed pride in honoring the winners, stating that the medals represent one of the most competitive accolades in the industry.
Key Statistics from GABF 2025
| Category | Entries |
|---|---|
| Juicy/Hazy India Pale Ale | 301 |
| West Coast India Pale Ale | 300 |
| Dortmunder or German-Style Oktoberfest | 186 |
| German-Style Pilsener | 184 |
| Hoppy Lager | 171 |
Top Beers and Ciders
The festival highlighted several standout categories. The category with the highest entries was Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale, which featured 301 submissions. The gold medal winner in this category was DESTIHL Brewery’s TourBus® Double Dry Hopped Hazy IPA.
- Gold: TourBus® Double Dry Hopped Hazy IPA – DESTIHL Brewery
- Silver: MadeWest Hazy – MadeWest Brewing Co.
- Bronze: Cloud Counter – Pollyanna Brewing Co.
Another popular category was the West Coast India Pale Ale, with 300 entries. The top awards in this category went to:
- Gold: How the West Was One: Mosaic – Westbound & Down Brewing Co.
- Silver: Coast Molinos – Los Molinos Beer Co.
- Bronze: Cosmic Guava West Coast IPA – pFriem Family Brewers
Most-Entered Cider Categories
The cider competition also saw impressive participation, particularly in the Fruited Cider category, which received 53 entries. The winners included:
- Gold: Honey Citron – Gowan’s Heirloom Cider
- Silver: Piper’s Pineapple – Gatlinburg Brewing Co.
- Bronze: Huckleberry Cosmic Crisp – 2 Towns Ciderhouse
In total, the 2025 GABF competed across various styles, demonstrating the diversity and quality within the craft brewing landscape.
Looking Ahead
The Brewers Association extends its gratitude to the 300 volunteers and sponsors who made the event possible. As the festival continues to grow, it sets a benchmark for excellence in American brewing and cider-making.
