Billed as the country’s fastest-growing beer competition, Bend, Oregon’-based’s Best of Craft Beer Awards launched in 2014. The 2024 edition of the international event included 1,945 submissions from 389 breweries spread out across 53 states, provinces and countries.
Winners of the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards were announced last week. Medals were awarded to beers and other fermented beverages in 56 award categories. A half-dozen brewing companies with San Diego County ties amassed a total of nine medals, which broke down to three golds, four silvers and a pair of bronzes.
Local double-awardees included Carlsbad-based Burgeon Beer Co. and TapRoom Beer Co. The former took gold for a double-dry-hopped IPA brewed in collaboration with Orange, California’s Everywhere Beer, and a silver for a West Coast Pilsner crafted with Seattle, Washington’s Cloudburst Brewing. Meanwhile, TapRoom notched silvers for its house hazy IPA and a pastry stout infused with ube, coffee, coconut and vanilla.
Additionally, North Park Brewery Igniter newcomer, Barley & Sword Brewing, earned a silver for its best bitter, and Oceanside-based Northern Pine Brewing got a silver for its amber ale.
The following is a full list of this year’s winning beers from brewing companies based or operating in San Diego County…
GOLD MEDALS (3)
Collaboration Beers: Far and Near, Burgeon Beer Co. (Carlsbad) with Everywhere Beer
Hop-forward Session Beers: Timber Giant, Mother Earth Brew Co. (Vista) *
Non-alcoholic Other Beers: Soul Sour, Athletic Brewing (Miramar) **
SILVER MEDALS (4)
English Ales: Staffordshire’s Best, Barley & Sword Brewing (North Park)
Fruit & Field Beers: Ube Latte, TapRoom Beer Co. (North Park)
Hazy or Juicy Pale Ale: PB Haze, TapRoom Beer Co. (North Park)
Hop-forward Lagers: West by Northwest, Burgeon Beer Co. (Carlsbad)
BRONZE MEDALS (2)
Non-alcoholic Hop-forward Beers: Freewave Hazy IPA, Athletic Brewing (Miramar) **
Red or Strong Red Beers: Walker Lake, Northern Pine Brewing (Oceanside)
* Mother Earth Brew Co. was founded in Vista and operates a tasting room there, but its winning beer was physically brewed at the company’s facility in Nampa, Idaho
** Athletic Brewing operates a brewery in Miramar, but its winning beers were brewed at the company’s facility in Milford, Connecticut
A complete list of winners from the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards can be viewed online.