Photo courtesy of the Brewers Association
The 2024 Craft Brewers Conference is in the books and with it another World Beer Cup (WBC). The world’s most prestigious beer competition and a yearly battle between breweries all over the world. Setting itself apart from other competitions, the World Beer Cup commemorates brewing with judges and entries from around the world.
Down a little in numbers from 2023, this year’s competition saw 280 judges from 37 countries, many of whom were from outside the United States. This elite group of judges evaluated 9,300 entries, with 2,060 participating breweries, from 50 countries. Judging of the 172 beer styles took place over nine days totaling 18 sessions.
"Each award represents not only exceptional quality but also innovation and creativity, driving the global craft beer industry forward," said Chris Williams, World Beer Cup competition director. "This year's winners exemplify the spirit of craftsmanship and ingenuity and showcase the diverse flavors and techniques that make beer an art form. Congratulations to this year's winners for their outstanding achievements in brewing."
Of the states in the U.S. that medaled, Texas took home 15 medals overall. Showing that Texas can still more than hold its own against domestic and international competition.
Most entered style categories:
Category 109, Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale: 326 entries
Category 110, West-Coast Style India Pale Ale: 281 entries
Category 40, German-Style Pilsener: 221 entries
Category 108, American-Style India Pale Ale: 213 entries
Category 29, Wood & Barrel-Aged Strong Stout: 198 entries
Out of 330 possible winners, 329 were conferred. Gold was not confirmed in Category 69 ‘Belgian-style or French-style ale.’
Outside San Antonio proper the lucky winning Texas breweries were:
🥇GOLD Galveston Island Brewing for ‘Marchtoberfest’ in the German-Style Maerzen or Franconian-Style Rotbier
🥉BRONZE Karbach Brewing Co for ‘Rhu Barbed’ in the Field Beer category
🥇GOLD Karbach Brewing Co for ‘Pumpkin in Lager’ in the Pumpkin Beer category
🥇GOLD No Label Brewing Co for ‘Perpetual Peace’ in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer category
🥈SILVER Odd Muse Brewing Co for ‘Silver Spaceship’ in the Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale category
🥈SILVER Peticolas Brewing Co for ‘Irish Goodbye’ in the Irish-Style Red Ale category
🥇GOLD Pinthouse Brewing for ‘Green Battles’ in the American-Style Strong Pale Ale category
🥉BRONZE Saint Arnold Brewing Co for ‘Irish Hello’ in the Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout category
🥉BRONZE Texas Leaguer Brewing Co for ‘The Hot Stove’ in the Strong Porter category
🥉BRONZE The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co for ‘Hell Yes’ in the Munich-Style Helles category
🥇GOLD True Anomaly Brewing Co for ‘Flanders Redux’ in the Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale category
🥈SILVER True Anomaly Brewing Co for ‘Red Giant’ in the Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category
🥉BRONZE Union Brewing Co for ‘Mexican Lager’ in the International Pilsener category
Of the breweries inside San Antonio:
🥇GOLD Freetail Brewing Co for ‘401k’ in the American-Style Pilsener category
🥉BRONZE Alamo Beer Co for ‘Fancy Meeting You Beer’ in the American-Style Sour category.
For Freetail this was their second WBC Gold in two years, following last year’s Gold for ‘Imagine 14 Years’ in the Hoppy Lager category. “401K defies and redefines the American Pilsener ideal”, says Jason Davis, Director of Brewing Operations. “We’re humbled to be a part of the innovative tradition that is synonymous with American Craft Beer.”
This is the second medal for ‘401K’ which won silver in 2020 at the Great American Beer Festival.
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.