7 VA Breweries Medal At Great American Beer Festival

VIRGINIA — Seven Virginia breweries won medals this past weekend at the Great American Beer Festival that wrapped up Saturday in Denver.

The festival is the nation’s largest for professional brewers and hands out some of the industry’s most sought-after accolades. The festival ran over nine days, with 250 beer experts from 10 countries serving as judges.

Judges evaluated nearly 9,445 entries from 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, including collaborations between professional breweries and pro-am collaborations from professionals and amateurs. Among those, 303 medals were awarded to 263 breweries across 99 categories and 175 beer styles. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded.

In Virginia:

• Gold Medal winners: Kodiak Kolsch beer, Bear Chase Brewing Co., 33665 Bear Chase Lanein Bluemont, German-Style Koelsch; Rock Hill Irish Red beer, Barley Naked Brewing Co., 15 Tech Parkway in Stafford, Irish-Style Red Ale; Scout beer, Vibrissa Beer, 122 E. Main St. in Front Royal, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout; Oktoberfest beer, Port City Brewing Co., 3950 Wheeler Ave. in Alexandria, Vienna-Style Lager
• Silver Medal winner: Passionfruit on Acid beer, Blue Mountain Barrel House, 495 Cooperative Way in Arrington, Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer
• Bronze Medal winners: Buttons the Bear bear, Bear Chase Brewing Co., 33665 Bear Chase Lane in Bluemont, Oatmeal Stout; Midnight Rider Imperial Porter beer, Great American Restaurants – Sweetwater Tavern Merrifield, 3066 Gate House Plaza in Falls Church, Strong Porter