Arizona’s craft beer scene had a sobering weekend at the annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Out of 268 medals awarded, Grand Canyon State breweries earned just a single bronze.
The lone honor went to Lake Havasu’s College Street, which took third in the aged-beer category with Brother Dewey’s Date Night, an 8.1% ABV winter seasonal brewed with locally grown dates and Belgian candi sugar.
Overall, it was a disappointing showing for Arizona beers in the wake of five medals last year, including a gold (for Lumberyard‘s Pinecone Pale Ale) and three silvers.
Further raising Arizona’s expectations this year were acclaimed new breweries like Arizona Wilderness and Huss.
Instead, the world’s largest commercial beer competition – 1,309 breweries, representing all 50 states, submitted 5,507 beers for judging – was a reminder that craft beer is flourishing everywhere.
Among our neighbors, New Mexico earned eight medals (five gold), Utah five, and Nevada three. California led all states with 46 medals, followed by Colorado with 39.
Marble in Albuquerque was named small brewery of the year. Brasserie St. James in Reno, Nev., was named best mid-sized brew pub.
See the full list of winners here.
