GABF 2024: 50 Can’t Miss Breweries at the Fest
As the 42nd iteration of the Great American Beer Festival gets underway in the second week of October, there’s no possible way to sample something from all 500-plus breweries, cidermakers, and beverage producers at the fest. With this year being our 11th straight year of covering GABF and 9th year of attending the fest out in Denver, we thought we could help lead you to the booths we personally think are serving up can’t-miss beers. Some of the breweries below are totally new-to-us but have something about them that have us excited, while many of the others are familiar faces we’re psyched to revisit. (You can listen to a more detailed audio breakdown of what to expect at GABF 2024 in our podcast episode, Road to GABF 2024).
All breweries and beers pouring are subject to change; this list was created based off of the listings on the GABF website as of 10/2/24.
ABV Chicago’s 50 Can’t Miss Breweries at GABF 2024
50. Mythmaker Brewing (Fort Collins, CO) – Meet the Brewer: G-4
Our First Pour: Disintegrator Hoppy Bock
Though Mythmaker has only been around for a few years, head brewer and co-owner Tom Moseman is no newbie to GABF, as his former position at the now-closed Black Bottle netted a few medals over the years. The lineup here is varied and flavorful, with a barrel-soured saison and pumpkin spice amber beer – but a strong hoppy bock with Columbus and Chinook is not something you see every day.
49. Sun King Brewing (Indianapolis, IN) – Chill: B-17
Medal Winners Pouring: Sunlight Cream Ale (2023, 2020, 2015); Cherry Busey (2020, 2017, 2016, 2015); Soul Shakedown Party (2023, 2022)
Our First Pour: Soul Shakedown Party
The Indianapolis brewing veterans at Sun King must have a medal room the size of some small breweries’ entire facilities. The obvious choice here at first is the always-excellent Cherry Busey, but the rum barrel-aged Wee Heavy is not to be missed.
48. Confluence Brewing Company (Des Moines, IA) – Fright: J-16
Our First Pour: Peanut Butter Cup Porter
This is a brewery we’d sworn we’d had on the podcast before due to their positive reputation and relative proximity, but nope, this year’s GABF will be our first real go-round with Confluence beers. It’s hard for me to look past a Fresh Hop beer, which they will be pouring, but a peanut butter cup porter done well is a real weakness for me.
47. Wibby Brewing (Longmont, CO) – Booth FBY2
Medal Winners Pouring: Volksbier Vienna (2020); Wibby Jibby (2023); Moondoor Dunkel (2017)
Our First Pour: Wibby Jibby
At last year’s GABF, Wibby won a Brewery of the Year award for their size on the back of their gold medal for the stylistically fluid (and excellently named) Wibby Jibby which might be a West Coast Pilsner or an India Pale Lager or a Cold IPA, depending on where you look. The other draw for Wibby is they have taken the mantle of “life of the party” from Melvin by having a whole area dedicated to yard games, live music, inflatable flamingo beer koozies, and ample amounts of their excellent lager-heavy portfolio.
46. PIVO Brewery (Calmar, IA) – Blast Off: A-47
Medal Winners Pouring: Decorah Nordic Gruit (2021, 2020, 2019); Old Balltown BBBASCDCBMS (2020, 2019)
Our First Pour: Decorah Nordic Gruit
A brewery pouring a gruit will always bring me to a table, but a brewery pouring their year-round gruit that has won 3 GABF medals has me absolutely stoked to make an early stop. The gruit in question is made with juniper berries, rosemary, bay leaf, black walnuts, bog myrtle, and toasted caraway seed, and I’m more than ready to have my taste buds confused (in a good way). PIVO’s other medal winner with a ridiculous acronym (see above) is an easy second pour choice: a barrel-aged dessert stout that doesn’t kill you on the ABV.
45. Sketchbook Brewing Company (Skokie, IL) – Meet the Brewer: H-5
Medal Winners Pouring: Grodziskie (2023)
Our First Pour: Orange Door
The first of a few hometown picks, north-suburban Sketchbook has been a real steady hand with a variety of styles for a decade now. Their year-round Orange Door IPA is one of those dependable citrus and pine-forward classic IPAs that doesn’t shy away from laying down a bed of malty goodness. Their barrel-aged figgy pudding beer is certainly worth a try as well.
44. Von Ebert Brewing (Portland, OR) – Score: D-63
Medal Winners Pouring: Volatile Substance (2021); Pils (2022)
Our First Pour: Alma
From afar, it seems like Von Ebert has made a decent name for itself amongst the still-crowded Portland beer scene – but I do know for certain that their Volatile Substance is a fantastic beer. But this time, I’ll start with their mixed-culture sour Alma made with peaches.
43. Reuben’s Brews (Seattle, WA) – Fright: J-56
Medal Winners Pouring: Three Ryes Men (2022, 2019); Robust Porter (2023)
Out First Pour: Three Ryes Men
I’m a sucker for their branding, so I’m always drawn to the booth from Reuben’s Brews. But with a double GABF and double World Beer Cup medal-winning barrel-aged barleywine in their Three Ryes Men, you really can’t be wrong.
42. Strangebird Beer (Rochester, NY) – Blast Off: A-59
Our First Pour: Rode Vogel
It’s notable that Strangebird’s hazy double IPA Unfettered Soul, which will be pouring here, won a bronze this year at the World Beer Cup. But what drew me to this brewery was the involvement of Eric Salazar – one-time cellarmaster at New Belgium and Other Half, the former an obvious American pioneer of wood-aged sours at one point in history. Because of Eric’s pedigree, I’m eager to try their Rode Vogel, their take on a Flanders Red.
41. La Cumbre Brewing Co. (Albuquerque, NM) – Prost: C-44
Medal Winners Pouring: Malpais Stout (2018, 2011); Elevated IPA (2011); Project Dank (2013)
Our First Pour: Malpais Stout
A yearly highlight at GABF, La Cumbre makes some incredible IPAs of the dank and classic varieties. But a non-pastry, full-flavored, malt-slaying 7.5% stout is just one of the best things in existence, so that’s where we begin.
40. Une Année Brewery (Niles, IL) – Chill: B-19
Our First Pour: Le Grand Monde 2024-4
Une Année has the distinguished honor of being the only brewery pouring at GABF that was on our very first episode of the podcast. Jerry Nelson’s always had a way with Belgians and sour beers, so I’d recommend checking out either Le Grand Monde pouring. But we’ll take the “2024-4” because there’s only one other Strawberry Rhubarb sour I can recall, and that’s not pouring at GABF this year.
39. Fort George Brewery (Astoria, OR) – Score: D-30
Our First Pour: Electric Surfboard
Sitting on the Columbia River in Astoria in their full city-block long facility with multiple restaurants seems like the best way to enjoy Fort George beer, but since we can’t, I’ll grab their big and bold 9% Double IPA Electric Surfboard, one ounce at a time.
38. Icicle Brewing Company (Leavenworth, WA) – Prost: C-41
Medal Winners Pouring: Alpenhaze (2022)
Our First Pour: Dragontail IPA
The reason this brewery landed on this list is that their Dragontail, listed as a take on a West Coast IPA, pulled a gold at the World Beer Cup this year in the Australian Style Pale Ale category, because why not. Plus their Alpenhaze IPA has a 2023 WBC gold for a hazy pale ale – so that’s enough for me.
37. Pax Verum Brewing (Lapel, IN) – Blast Off: A-45
Our First Pour: Tidal Rift
We ran into this brewery last year somewhat randomly, and they ended up being one of our top highlight booths. They feature beers that are flavorful without being too gimmicky with a focus on technique to make sure they are consistently drinkable. I’ll grab the New Zealand-hopped pilsner, Tidal Rift, for a nice refresher.
36. Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, ME) – Prost: C-8
Medal Winners Pouring: Tripel (2023, 2021, 2016, 2015, 2006); White (2023, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2015, 2010, 2005)
Our First Pour: Allagash Hop Water
Trying to track down Rob Tod is a yearly tradition, so while we attempt that we’ll be drinking through a few Allagash offerings. I am, without any irony, most excited to try their take on hop water. How could it be bad??
35. Our Mutual Friend Brewing (Denver, CO) – Prost: C-57
Medal Winners Pouring: Biere Ovale (2022, 2021); Inner Light (2021, 2020)
Our First Pour: Biere Ovale
If you’re in Denver anyways, we highly recommend the OMF taproom. Failing that, their booth can’t be missed, and they are the type of brewery that wins medals for both foeder saisons and hazy pale ales. The Biere Ovale mixed culture foeder saison has been a standout for me in the past, and there’s no way I’ll be skipping it this year.
34. Pizza Port Brewing Company (Carlsbad, CA) – Booth 23
Medal Winners Pouring: Guillaume (2023, 2022, 2020, 2017, 2015, 2014); Bacon and Eggs (2015)
Our First Pour: Swami’s
A West Coast institution of 7 brewpubs and a tasting room, Pizza Port has over a hundred GABF medals from their multiple locations and decades of existence. Their Bacon and Eggs is a standout coffee porter, but Swami’s is one of those old school West Coast IPAs that utilizes almost all of the “C” hops to dynamic and bitter effect.
33. River North Brewery (Denver, CO) – Fright: J-58 & J-59
Our First Pour: Death of Time
If you’re somehow in a FoBAB mindset at GABF, just hover around the River North booths. There’s not a beer under 12% pouring between them, and you may even be tempted to try a 19-plus percent barrel-aged Quadrupel. We’ll go with the measly 15.7% barrel-aged black barleywine, Death of Time, before probably trying everything else, against our better judgment.
32. Verboten Brewing (Loveland, CO) – Meet the Brewer: H-15
Our First Pour: Smoke Monster
Speaking of FoBAB, this is one brewery that I always associate with top-tier barrel-aged beers, and more specifically, barleywines. And they have a real doozy at the top of my list: a 15% barrel-aged smoked barleywine. Yes, please.
31. Ex Novo Brewing (Corrales, NM) – Prost: C-34
Medal Winner Pouring: Perle Haggard (2020); Sons of Scotland (2022)
Our First Pour: Nevermore 2023
Just the name “Perle Haggard” is going to bring me to the booth, but their Nevermore ‘23 is a bourbon barrel-aged black barleywine with smoked figs and cacao nibs, and can I honestly say I’ve ever had anything like that? No. No, I can not.
30. Phantom Farms Brewing (Cumberland, RI) – Prost: C-58
Our First Pour: Sacred Tree
This one caught my eye because it’s only one of two breweries from Rhode Island in attendance, and I also usually associate the “Farms” in a brewery’s name with esoteric or laboriously made beers. This brand new brewery, opened this year, is headed up on the brewing side by a husband-and-wife duo of medal-winner brewers from Chile. We’ll start with the Sacred Tree, a saison made with Patagonian pepper in a nod to the brewers’ origins.
29. Metazoa Brewing Company (Indianapolis, IN) – Prost: C-52
Medal Winners Pouring: Ain’t Afraid of No Goats (2023); Trash Panda (2021); Wicked Pawsome (2020)
Our First Pour: Ain’t Afraid of No Goats
Another one-time Brewery of the Year winner for their size, this Indianapolis brewery somehow slipped beneath our radar – until now! The Trash Panda, a vanilla latte-inspired blonde ale is certainly worth a try, but I don’t want to miss the 2024 World Beer Cup Gold for German-style Bock, Ain’t Afraid of No Goats.
28. Raices Brewing Company (Denver, CO) – Blast Off: A-48
Our First Pour: Cafecito
Another local to the fest, Raices stands out because they “celebrate Latin American & Caribbean cultures,” and their beer options reflect a wide variety of influences. The Cafecito is a blond ale loaded up with coffee, and I can see that working very well.
27. MORE Brewing Company (Huntley, IL) – Blast Off: A-41
Our First Pour: Mehndi 2023
We know they’re pretty local to us, but a Mehndi tapping always feels special. This vintage of their velvety rich imperial stout was aged in Old Rip Van Winkle, Weller, Elijah Craig and Willett Rye barrels, bringing layers upon layers of depth and complexity.
26. Alvarado Street Brewery (Salinas, CA) – Prost: C-11
Medal Winners Pouring: Mai Tai P.A. (2023, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2015)
Our First Pour: White Label Mai Tai
Not just any California brewery making a name out of bold and flavorful IPAs, Alvarado Street has a “new classic” in their 5-time winner Mai Tai tropical IPA. The draw for me is their double IPA version, the White Label, and how much Mosaic hops I’ll get to enjoy while Craig whines about it.
25. Radiant Beer Co. (Anaheim, CA) – Prost: C-63
Our First Pour: Cherish the Thought
Radiant does a good spread of styles with a heavier emphasis on IPAs, and I’m certainly game for their Fresh Hop Strata beer, Speed of Now. But the kid in me will go for Cherish the Thought which is a cherry vanilla hard cola. They just have to stop me from crushing a half dozen of them while I fire up WWF Royal Rumble on the Super Nintendo.
24. The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co. (Austin, TX) – Prost: C-75
Medal Winners Pouring: Hell Yes! (2018, 2016); Industry Pils (2022, 2016); Rocket 100 (2021, 2018, 2017, 2015); Velvet Revolution (2017)
Our First Pour: Negra Royal
ABGB has the hardware to prove they are one of the country’s best lager makers, so everything and anything pouring at their booth is worth a try. I do have a personal obligation to my yearly Dunkel Jagen©, so I’ll just put my taster down there first before drinking the rest of the lineup.
23. Jack’s Abby Brewing (Framingham, MA) – Prost: C-43
Medal Winners Pouring: House Lager (2018)
Our First Pour: Copper Legend
Seeing as how well-done lagers have regained the respect of craft beer drinkers all over the U.S., Jack’s Abby is in that class that must be feeling vindicated. Over a dozen years of lager making means any pour is likely to be textbook, and I’d like to see how they handle a Festbier, which is their Copper Legend.
22. Boneyard Brewery (Bend OR) – Fright: J-9
Our First Pour: Notorious IPA3
It’s amazing to me that Boneyard only has one GABF medal in its history, because they’ve been a highlight and a staple at the fest every year we’ve gone. I am a pretty vocal critic of most Triple IPAs, but their Notorious is in that small handful of examples that prove the style can actually work.
21. Maplewood Brewing Company (Chicago, IL) – Blast Off: A-25
Medal Winners Pouring: Fat Pug (2022, 2017)
Our First Pour: Barrel-Aged Cuppa
We’ve had some debate over whether or not Maplewood is Chicago’s “third” brewery in terms of consistency, recognition, and reputation (behind Revolution and Half Acre) – and when you look at the range of things they produce with consistent quality in considerable quantity, it becomes hard to argue. A Barrel-Aged Cuppa is always a rarity and a treat – and without specifying which one it is, we can only hope for a Double Barrel Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Cuppa Neat. But even if not, there’s no Cuppa we would skip.
20. False Idol Brewing (North Richland Hills, TX) – Blast Off: A-17
Our First Pour: Imperial Stout
This booth was a big standout last year due to some pretty exceptional barrel-aged offerings, but the pour list on the GABF site is a bit vague with the highest ABV beer listed as simply “Imperial Stout.” Based on last year, we’ll still give it a try, alongside the similarly vaguely named, “Saison.”
19. Lady Justice Brewing (Englewood, CO) – Score: D-38
Our First Pour: Chosen Family
I first heard of Lady Justice through their open letters to the BA regarding the 2023 Craft Brewers Conference and the lack of representation and true safety measures for LGBTQ+ people in attendance. Seeing they are in attendance for GABF gives me hope that their advocacy has led to true change and reflection from the BA on behalf of all attendees, not just those that make up the majority of attendees. I respect their mission, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about the beer. To start, I’ll try their ESB, Chosen Family.
18. Old Irving Brewing Co. (Chicago, IL) – Fright: J-51
Medal Winners Pouring: Beezer (2019), Della (2021)
Our First Pour: Doji
Even though we tend to fluctuate on our feelings about hazy beers, we can’t deny that one of the best in the world is brewed so close to our doorstep. Everyone that appreciates the juicy or hazy style should try Beezer, which just added a World Beer Cup Gold to its cabinet this year. We’ll go with the dry-hopped lager Doji first, though, as it’s a lively and flavorful refresher.
17. Pinthouse Brewing (Austin, TX) – c-60
Medal Winners Pouring: Fresh Hop Training Bines (2022); Green Battles IPA (2018); Jaguar Shark (2014)
Our First Pour: Green Battles IPA
This brewpub & pizzeria out of Austin became known for their fresh hop beers in a time when most fresh hop beers were being made in the Pacific Northwest, so their Fresh Hop Training Bines is going to be high on my list to try. But their Green Battles is also fresh…fresh off of another significant win with a Gold in the Strong Pale Ale category at this year’s World Beer Cup, so I’m looking forward to seeing what that has to offer.
16. Live Oak Brewing Company (Del Valle, TX) – Fright: J-71
Medal Winners Pouring: Hefeweizen (2019)
Our First Pour: Spudweiser
As a part of Craig’s trip to Austin, we were lucky to drink through an entire lineup of Live Oak’s incredible takes on traditional styles. We were also lucky enough to be introduced to Hold Out Brewing (more on them in a minute), and Spudweiser is their collaboration potato adjunct lager and we’d be crazy not to try that first.
15. Firestone Walker Brewing Co. (Paso Robles, CA) – Meet the Brewer: H-10
Medal Winners Pouring: Pivo (2017, 2015, 2013)
Our First Pour: Rip This Joint
We in the midwest might take this brewery for granted, despite nearly three decades of well-earned reputation. It could be the “curse” of being distributed here for as long as I can remember – despite their year-rounds being stellar and their specialty releases falling nothing short of spectacular. For something that hasn’t hit any distribution (and will likely have a timed tapping, with a line), we’ll go for the Side Project barrel-aged stout collaboration Rip This Joint.
14. Hold Out Brewing (Austin, TX) – Meet the Brewer: F-5
Our First Pour: Hesky Czesky
Back in May, a few of the fine folks from Hold Out came to Chicagoland for Dark Lord Day, and we met up with them for some lagers at Goldfinger (just a stone’s throw from Munster, we know). Talking shop with these guys proved their prowess when it comes to lagers, and we’ve had two absolutely killer collaborations between them and Keeping Together for the podcast. So, basically, we’re psyched to dive deeper into their offerings, and we’ll start with the Czech dark lager, Hesky Czesky.
13. Highland Park Brewery (Los Angeles, CA) – Blast Off: A-27
Medal Winners Pouring: DDH Pillow (2023); Timbo Pils (2019); Hand of Josh (2023); Fill Pils (2021)
Our First Pour: Hand of Josh
When we talked to Bob Kunz of Highland Park back in 2016, he told us about how they were using a parking space to house their barrel stock. Now, they’re one of the more notable craft brewers coming out of L.A. – although I’m not sure if they’ve expanded beyond their parking lot at all. They’ve also built something of a reputation around West Coast-style pilsners – something that lives on a Venn Diagram alongside Cold IPAs and India Pale Lagers. We’ll try their Hand of Josh and likely the Timbo Pils while we’re at it.
12. Ghost Town Brewing (Oakland, CA) – Fright: J-30
Medal Winners Pouring: Nose Goblin (2022, 2021)
Our First Pour: Nose Goblin
The last time I had a Double IPA that made as strong of an impression as Ghost Town’s Nose Goblin, it was a decade ago when I first tried Melvin’s 2×4 at GABF. Last year, we put both beers against each other – and it was clear to me that Nose Goblin has taken the crown for me personally. But more significantly, it has earned many medals across several competitions at this point, including back-to-back golds at GABF in 2021 and 2022.
11. Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL) – Fright: J-57
Our First Pour: D.B.V.S.O.D.
It seems silly to head to the booth of the brewery whose beers are constantly in my fridge, but Rev is pouring two of their absolute bangers from their Deep Wood series. Craig and I could probably argue all day about whether D.B.V.S.O.D. or V.S.O.J. are better beers, and we’d both be right in the end. If you want a sumptuous stout, go with the former; and if you want a luscious barleywine, go with the latter.
10. Fremont Brewing (Seattle, WA) – Score: D-31
Our First Pour: 2020 Spice Wars: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Dark Star
This is the booth that most feels like 2014 GABF to me, as Fremont is going all-in on their specialty barrel-aged beers. Although I likely won’t pass on the Brew 8000 BA Barleywine or the Rusty Nail barrel-aged stout with cinnamon and licorice, an aged winter spice-heavy barrel-aged stout sounds like a winner.
9. Fat Head’s Brewery (Middleburg Heights, OH) – Blast Off: A-52
Medal Winners Pouring: Head Hunter (2023, 2011, 2010); Alpen Glow (2023, 2022, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012); Bone Head (2022, 2019, 2015); Hop Juju (2016, 2015, 2013)
Our First Pour: Head Hunter
I mean, is there any other answer? Well, yeah, because Fat Head makes a whole lineup of stellar beers – and Head Hunter might not even be the most decorated of their lineup. But it is still the reigning champion of Gold Medal IPAs and really mustn’t be skipped, even in a room of 10,000 other beers.
8. Cloudburst Brewing (Seattle, WA) – Prost: C-27
Our First Pour: Boycott Uline
At almost a decade into their existence, Cloudburst’s IPAs have started to become known far beyond the PNW. Born from the talent that left Elysian once they sold out, this Seattle brewery might win on great beer names alone, and their Boycott Uline is an IPA for “C” hop lovers that want to taste the resinous pine and pithy grapefruit of an old school West Coast-style beer.
7. Burns Family Artisan Ales (Denver, CO) – Fright: J-11
Our First Pour: Ship of Theseus
Through Wayne Burns’ tenure at Kuhnhenn in Michigan, he earned his reputation as a master of making ridiculously strong beers. With his Denver facility, he hasn’t exactly stopped making those, but he’s also showing off his lighter side here with a German-style Pils and a Kvass. Though I’m a sucker for Kvass (who doesn’t love a bread beer??), their Old Ale, Ship of Theseus (which says it ages gracefully for 25+ years on the bottle), is a must for us.
6. Pure Project (Vista, CA) – Prost: C-62
Our First Pour: Corylus
Though they make just about everything to perfection, we can’t resist the luscious Corylus, a bourbon barrel-aged stout with cacao, toasted hazelnuts, and Brazilian coffee. Their pilsner and West Coast IPA make pretty stellar backups as well.
5. Third Eye Brewing Company (Hamilton, OH) – Prost: C-77
Medal Winners Pouring: Gourd Darn It! (2023); Double Astral (2023); Chai Eye Captain (2023)
Our First Pour: Double Astral
This brewery has really sprinted out of the gates into GABF glory in just a few years, winning a Brewery award (along with three medals) last year. To top it off, they were named Grand National Champion at the U.S. Open Beer Championship. Head Brewer Kelly Montgomery also has a lot of GABF history at his old job with Brink, so a barleywine with his name on it might be a good pick. But we’ll take a rich and chewy imperial oatmeal stout before drinking everything they have to offer.
4. Breakside Brewery (Portland & Milwaukie, OR) – Prost: C-19 & C-20
Medal Winners Pouring: Breakside IPA (2023, 2017, 2014); Cheat Codes (2023); Passionfruit Sour (2021, 2017, 2013)
Our First Pour: La Maison Du Bang!
Us Midwesterners have little understanding of just how big Breakside is in the PNW craft scene, so seeing them on the floor at GABF puts a spotlight on just how special – and important – this brewery is. You can go with any of their multiple-medal winning beers for surefire quality, but La Maison Du Bang! is a black barleywine aged in apple brandy, bourbon, and Nocino barrels – certainly something I’ve never had in the past.
3. The Lost Abbey (Vista, CA) – Prost: C-65
Medal Winners Pouring: Peach Afternoon (2022, 2020)
Our First Pour: Peach Afternoon
Though there may not be a Duck Duck Gooze, Cable Car, or Veritas pouring this year, Peach Afternoon is one of the finest wild ales you’ll find on the whole floor and should not be missed. There’s a lot of variety here as well, including a Belgian Strong Golden Ale, a Winter Warmer, an Old Ale, and a Pilsner – and you know Tomme and crew has got you.
2. WeldWerks Brewing Co. (Greeley, CO) – Meet the Brewer: H-1
Medal Winners Pouring: Medianoche (2017)
Our First Pour: Coconut PVW23 Medianoche
SOY SAUCE BARREL AGED SUSHI GOSE. That’s the first thing people will probably show up for, and you can likely count on a food pairing to go with the rice, wasabi, pickled ginger, and seaweed sour ale. But also, there are always a ton of top-notch barrel-aged stouts to choose from, so we’ll go with the Pappy Van Winkle 23-Year Coconut Medianoche. There’s a reason WeldWerks occupies so much space on the floor – it’s worth trying as much as you can.
1. Russian River Brewing Co. (Windsor & Santa Rosa, CA) – Prost: C-84 & C-85
Medal Winners Pouring: Docta-Ron (2023); Pliny the Elder (2014, 2006, 2005, 2004); STS Pils (2018, 2015, 2014); Supplication (2009, 2007, 2005)
Our First Pour: Pliny for President
Picking a first pour here is almost impossible. First, there’s the Fonio Belgian Blonde, which is born from a Garret Oliver-headed project around an African grain that imparts unique flavor in its beers while supporting a region whose history around beer has been deliberately whitewashed over the years. Then there’s a sour Intinction beer, which will always end up high on a “best-of” list. Supplication is a beer I fell in love with upon first sip back in 2013. Oh and then there’s Pliny the Elder…and STS Pils. The only thing keeping me from drinking everything here is the potential line, but it’s never stopped me before. I guess I’ll go with the Dry-Hopped take on the classic DIPA for my first pour.
