Photo by Elvert Barnes.
The beer market is tough and competition is showing no signs of slowing. This week, the Brewers Association released figures that show the U.S. now has 4,000 breweries, and is approaching a historical high. With 4,171 operating breweries in the country in 1873, BA estimates that was the most ever in American history.
These figures are especially pertinent as this past weekend was the Great American Beer Festival, the country’s largest festival and tasting competition, in Denver. With over 6,647 competition entries (20 percent more than in 2014) from 1,552 breweries, there is certainly stiff competition for the best beers in 145 styles.
Alexandria’s own Port City not only came home with three medals for their Optimal Wit (bronze), Monumental IPA (silver), and Porter(silver), but they took home the coveted Brewer of the Year award in the Small Brewery category. With 242 beer experts from 15 countries judging the beers, it is an impressive feat.
Other winners from Virginia included Devils Backbone’s Vienna Lager, Champion Brewing’s Shower Beer pilsner, Brothers Craft Brewing’s Mild and Fair Winds Brewing’s Siren’s Lure Saison, who all took home gold. Lickinghole Creek’s Heir Apparent took silver in the Chili Beer category and Pale Fire Brewing’s Salad Days American Saison took bronze.
Maryland newcomers Jailbreak Brewing received the sole medal for the Old Line State with their gold-worthy Van Dammit Belgian Dark Strong Ale. D.C.’s breweries came home empty-handed.
It should be noted that while these competitions are about the best beer in the style, some of the favorite beers locally are hybrid styles. Many of the beers from D.C. favorites like BlueJacket, Right Proper, and 3 Stars don’t fit neatly into a style and that is part of what makes them great—taking the strengths of different styles to create something unique. Newcomers like Handsome Beer Company are creating their own visions of what a delicious beer should be, regardless of dictations of style. It is certainly not a knock on those who won but more of an accolade that this area has so many varied beers to choose from.
While it is often said that the best beer in the world is the one currently in your hand, it’d be especially difficult to dispute that with an award-winning local beer in front of you.
