Colorado Brewers Collect 21 Awards at World Beer Cup®

16 Colorado breweries, 14 of which are independent craft breweries, earned medals at the global beer competition this year

DENVER, CO  (May 1, 2025) — The Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) is pleased to congratulate the 14 Colorado craft breweries that collected a total of 18 awards at the World Beer Cup award ceremony on May 1, 2025 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN where awards were given in 112 beer-style categories.

The Brewers Association started the global competition in 1996 to celebrate the art and science of brewing. World Beer Cup winners were selected by an international panel of 265 beer judges from 37 countries. Widely recognized as the “Olympics of Beer,” the World Beer Cup saw an impressive field of 8,375 beers from 1,761 breweries in 49 countries.

“Colorado continues its tradition of making high quality world class beers! From Barley Wines to Belgian-style beers to Session IPAs, Colorado proved that they are able to brew a diverse range of beers for every palate,” says CBG Executive Director Shawnee Adelson. “Equally impressive is the consistency breweries like River North, Verboten, The Post, Westbound & Down and Cellar West showed with their streaks.”

Notable World Beer Cup trends:

• The biggest Colorado Winner was River North with three medals this evening, tapping into adjunct beer categories, Chocolate, Pumpkin and Coffee, all of which River North has medaled in twice over the past three years. River North also took home mid-sized brewery of the year at the Colorado Brewers Cup earlier this year
• Verboten medaled for a fourth year in a row including a third year in a row with victory for “Grow Old With You” in the Barley Wine-Style Ale category
• The Post won for a second year in a row with “East County Fine Malt Liquor” in the Other Strong Beer Category
• Six first-time winners: New Terrain Brewing Company, Wibby Brewing, Stodgy Brewing Co., Mythmaker Brewing, Best Day Brewing, and Mash Lab Brewing
• Since 1996, Colorado has averaged 20 medals per World Beer Cup. Since 2012, Colorado has been above average
• Several beers have been building on prior year WBC medals including:
  • Dear You – Ratio Beerworks (2 total)
  • Old Fortwaukee – Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing (2 total)
  • East County Fine Malt Liquor – The Post Brewing Co. (2 total)
  • Grow Old With You – Verboten Brewing (3 total)

2025 Colorado Craft Beer Award-Winning Winners:

Gold Medal Winners:

• Verboten Brewing  – Mountain Man (Old Ale or Strong Ale)
• Mash Lab Brewing – Burnout Brown (English-Style Brown Ale) – first time winner!
• New Terrain Brewing Company – Suntrip (Belgian-Style Witbier) – first time winner!
• Cellar West Brewery – Gallus (Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale)
• Verboten Brewing – Grow Old With You (Barley Wine-Style Ale)

Silver Medal Winners:

• River North Brewery – Pumpkin Spice J. Marie (Pumpkin Beer)
• Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing – Old Fortwaukee (American Light Lager)
• Stodgy Brewing Co. – Gin Golden Sour (Wood and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer) – first time winner!
• Ratio Beerworks – Dear You (American-Belgo-Style Ale)
• The Post Brewing Co. – East County Fine Malt Liquor (Other Strong Beer)
• River North Brewery – Squirrels Just Want to Have Fun (Coffee Beer)
• Westbound & Down Brewing Co. – Westbound IPA (American-Style Strong Pale Ale)

Bronze Medal Winners:

• Elevation Beer Co. – ​​Coconut Oil Man (Field Beer)
• Wibby Brewing – Moondoor Dunkel (Munich-Style Dunkel) – first time winner!
• Mythmaker Brewing – Lichtenhainer (Historical Beer) – first time winner!
• Westbound & Down Brewing Co. – Scenic Route – (Session India Pale Ale)
• Best Day Brewing – Kolsch (Classical Non-Alcohol Ale or Lager) – first time winner!
• River North Brewery – Midnight Hike (Chocolate Beer)

“Congratulations to all of Colorado’s breweries!” says Adelson.

For the full list of 2025 World Beer Cup award winners, visit WorldBeerCup.org.

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About the Colorado Brewers Guild: The Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) is a nonprofit trade association with the mission to promote, protect, and propel independent craft breweries in the State of Craft Beer through advocacy, community, education, and public awareness. The majority of the state’s 400+ licensed breweries and brewpubs are members. See a list of events that support membership, learn how to become a member, and more at coloradobeer.org.

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