Werk Force Brewing Clinches 3 Medals At 2025 U.S. Open Beer Championship

PLAINFIELD, IL — Werk Force Brewing Co. was once again victorious at this year's U.S. Open Beer Championship, clinching two gold and one silver medals.

Werk Force, which operates a tap room at 14903 S. Center St., secured gold medals for two barrel-aged beers — the Hell Bear and the Stupid Sticky Fingers, a collaboration with the Wisconsin-based Rocky Reef Brewing Company.

The Hell Bear tied for first place with the Florida-based Mathews Brewing Company brew in the Chili Pepper Beer category, and Stupid Sticky Fingers won in the category for Collaboration Beer — Dark Beers.

Werk Force's three-year barrel-aged Family Reserve Sleepy Bear beer took silver in the Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter category.

"Massive thanks to our team, our fans, and everyone who’s raised a glass with us along the way," the Werk Force team wrote in a post on Facebook. "Cheers to pushing the boundaries, loving the craft, and brewing beers that make us proud."

Werk Force also received three awards for two of its barrel-aged beers and a shandy at the 2024 championships, Patch reported.

Other Illinois breweries that won medals in this year's championship included Brothership Brewing in Mokena, Adams Street Brewery in Chicago and Brother Chimp Brewing in North Aurora.