Colorado’s Triumph at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival
The 2025 Great American Beer Festival was a noteworthy event for Colorado’s craft beer scene, as local breweries took center stage with remarkable achievements. Notably, three of Colorado’s distinguished breweries were honored with significant accolades in the Brewer and Brewery of the Year categories. Their collective efforts led the state to capture an impressive total of 36 medals, showcasing the vibrancy and creativity of the region’s brewing community.
Leading the charge was Cannonball Creek Brewing Co., famed for their consistency, having secured medals at 13 consecutive GABF competitions. This year, they continued their legacy by winning a bronze for Trump Hands in the Session IPA category. Additional medals included a bronze for Deer Pallet in the International-Style Pale Ale section and a silver for Mindbender in the American-Style Strong Pale Ale category. Their perseverance and innovation earned them the prestigious 501–1,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year award.
Spotlight on River North and Westbound & Down Brewing
River North Brewery had a stellar performance, securing gold in the Coffee Beer Category with Squirrels Just Want to Have Fun and another gold for River North White in the Belgian-Style/French-Style Specialty Ale category. This achievement marked their fourth consecutive year earning a medal at the GABF, further solidifying their status with the top recognition in the 1,001–2,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year category. Matt Hess, founder of River North Brewery, expressed his pride in both their longstanding offerings and new creations being acknowledged.
Westbound & Down Brewing demonstrated their prowess by winning an incredible seven medals. Their collection included a silver for Scenic Route in the Session IPA category and a gold for Westbound Italian Pils in the Italian-Style Pilsener category, among others. Achieving top accolades in the 5,001–15,000 Barrels Brewery and Brewer of the Year category, Westbound & Down made a national statement as well. Their sister brand, Aspen Brewing, also garnered a gold for Casa Bonita in the Mexican-Style Pale Lager category, highlighting Colorado’s diverse brewing talent.
Other Notable Achievements from Colorado Breweries
Other Colorado breweries continued to illustrate the state’s brewing excellence by earning medals across various categories. New Terrain and Left Hand Brewing maintained their standing streaks with multiple wins at this year’s festival. Meanwhile, Banded Oak Brewing left the industry with a final bronze for Manny’s Way Mexican Lager in the Contemporary American-Style Lager category, cherishing a bittersweet victory following their closure.
In addition to beer, Colorado cider makers captured six medals in cider categories, showcasing the state’s craftsmanship beyond the traditional realm of brewing. Snow Capped Cider and Haykin Family Cider were among the awarded, highlighting the continued diversity and innovation within Colorado’s fermentation arts.
