This weekend, downtown Denver played host to the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), an event that drew more than 500 breweries from across the U.S. and over 40,000 beer enthusiasts from around the world. The annual gathering, organized by the Brewers Association, is not only the largest beer-tasting event in the country but also features one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the industry.
India Pale Ales (IPAs) have long been the cornerstone of craft beer in America, and they continue to dominate the market. Despite changes in the beer landscape since GABF’s inaugural competition in 1987, IPAs still account for a commanding 46% of the $29 billion craft beer industry. This year’s competition saw 8,836 beers entered, with IPAs making up a large portion of those entries across eight different subcategories.
Of particular note were the top three most-entered styles: Juicy/Hazy IPA, West Coast IPA, and American Style IPA. In keeping with GABF tradition, each category awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals, similar to the Olympic Games.
In the highly competitive Juicy/Hazy IPA category, the gold medal went to Professional Human Being, a 7.2% ABV beer from Ambitious Ales in Long Beach, California. This IPA, double dry-hopped with Nelson, Citra, and Motueka hops, showcases a smooth, creamy texture with bold tropical fruit and melon flavors. While the beer isn’t distributed nationwide, visitors to the brewery can enjoy it on tap or take home a 4-pack of tall cans for about $20.
Meanwhile, the gold medal in the West Coast IPA category also stayed in Long Beach. Trademark Brewing earned top honors for its Codebreaker, a 7% ABV IPA that balances dankness with crispness, offering alternating notes of apricot and pine. The brewery sells 4-packs of 16 oz. cans for $18, available for online orders within California.
With two Long Beach breweries taking home top prizes, this year’s GABF underscored the city’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in the craft beer scene.
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