The 2023 Craft Brewers Conference is in the books and with it another World Beer Cup. The world’s most prestigious beer competition, which had been held every two years, became a yearly battle starting last year. Setting itself apart from other competitions, the World Beer Cup commemorates brewing from around the world with judges and entries from around the world.
This year’s competition saw 272 judges from 26 countries, many of whom were from outside the United States. This elite group of judges evaluated 10,213 beers, with 2,376 participating breweries, from 51 countries. Judging of the 176 beer styles took place over nine days totaling 18 sessions.
“The World Beer Cup brings together the finest brewers and beers from around the globe and celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and passion for great beer," said Chris Williams, World Beer Cup competition director. “Receiving a World Beer Cup award is a testament to quality and innovation, and we commend this year’s winners for setting the bar higher than ever.”
Image courtesy of Freetail Brewing
Of the states in the U.S. that medaled, Texas took home 18 medals overall, fourth behind Oregon with 22, Colorado with 25 and California with 50.
Countries with the most entries:
1. United States: 8,135
2. Canada: 444
3. Japan: 223
4. Germany: 189
5. Australia: 152
Outside San Antonio proper the lucky winning Texas breweries were:
🥈SILVER Infamous Brewing Co for Bugsy’s Fire Brush in the American-Style Amber/Red Ale category
🥈SILVER Saint Arnold Brewing, Houston for ‘Pumpkinator’ in the Pumpkin Beer category
🥉BRONZE Saint Arnold Brewing Co for Amber Ale in the English Mild or Bitter category\
🥉BRONZE Five Stones Artisan Brewery for ‘Norma Jean’ in the Fruit Beer category
🥈SILVER Meanwhile Brewing Co for ‘Fore!’ in the Herb and Spice Beer category
🥉BRONZE Pecan Street Brewing Co for ‘Pecan Street Rye Lager’ in the Rye Beer
🥈SILVER Austin Beer Works for ‘Golden Sour’ in the Wood and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category
🥇GOLD Real Ale Brewing for Scots Gone Wild in the Wood and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category
🥈SILVER Pinthouse Brewing Co for ‘Silver for Lasso Pils’ in the Hoppy Lager category
🥈SILVER Holler Brewing Co for ‘Silver for Dollar Pils Y’all’ in the German-Style Pilsener Category.
🥇GOLD Altstadt Brewing Co for ‘Altstadt Hefe’ in the South German-Style Hefeweizen Category.
🥉BRONZE Peticolas Brewing Co for ‘Turtle Kriek in the Belgian Fruit Beer category
🥉BRONZE Flix Brewhouse for ‘Feckin’ Oirish’ in the Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout category
🥈SILVER White Rock Alehouse and Brewery for Big Thicket in the Golden or Blonde Ale category
🥇GOLD 11 Below Brewing Co for Big Mistake in the Wood and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout category
🥈SILVER Karbach Brewing Co for ‘Mother In Lager’ in the International Dark Lager
Of the breweries inside San Antonio proper:
🥇GOLD Freetail Brewing Co for ‘Imagine 14 Years’ in the Hoppy Lager category
🥈SILVER Second Pitch Beer Co for Hometown Lager in the American-Style Amber Lager category
Established in 1996, the World Beer Cup celebrates the art and science of brewing globally and creates greater consumer awareness about different beer styles and flavor profiles. Previously a biennial event, the competition was annualized last year, making 2023 the first back-to-back competition.