Oregon’s vibrant Oregon craft beverage scene has once again demonstrated its national prowess, with breweries and cideries from the Beaver State clinching an impressive 29 medals at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF). The prestigious competition, held annually in Denver, Colorado, recognized the exceptional quality and innovation emerging from the Oregon craft beverage industry, solidifying its position in craft fermentation.
Oregon Craft Beverage Dominance at the Great American Beer Festival
The 2025 GABF saw a record-breaking 1,555 breweries and cideries from across all 50 states and Washington D.C. submit a staggering 8,315 entries. Expert judges, numbering 250, meticulously evaluated these submissions over seven days and three judging phases, awarding a total of 347 medals. Amidst this fierce national competition, Oregon’s producers stood out, securing 29 accolades and reinforcing the state’s reputation as a leader in craft fermentation and the broader Oregon craft beverage landscape.
Top Oregon Performers in Oregon Craft Beverage and Award-Winning Styles
Among Oregon’s notable winners, UPP Liquids from Bend emerged as a standout, earning a remarkable five medals – two gold, two silver, and one bronze. This exceptional performance also landed UPP Liquids the coveted Brewery of the Year award in its size category (251-500 barrels), a testament to its brewing excellence within the Oregon craft beverage sector.
2 Towns Ciderhouse, a well-regarded cidery based in Corvallis, celebrated dual wins for their Oregon craft beverage contributions. Their ’14th Anniversary Cider’ secured a Gold Medal in the No/Low-Tannin Cider category, while ‘Huckleberry Cosmic Crisp®’ earned a Bronze Medal in the Fruited Cider category, showcasing their mastery in crafting both traditional and innovative ciders, a highlight for the craft cider awards.
Other Oregon breweries also garnered significant recognition, contributing to the Oregon craft beverage success. pFriem Family Brewers in Cascade Locks took home three medals, impressively winning two in the Belgian-Style Sour Ale category, including a Gold for ‘Spontanée’ and a Bronze for ‘Fruited Spontanée’. Von Ebert Brewing was awarded two gold medals for ‘Drink Me Potion’ (American Fruit Beer) and ‘Clubhaus Lager’ (American-Style Light Lager), showcasing Von Ebert Brewing gold. Breakside Brewery & Taproom earned a Bronze for its iconic ‘Breakside IPA’, which continues its legacy as the most-winning IPA in GABF history, cementing its Breakside IPA legacy within Oregon craft beer circles.
Further accolades were awarded to Grains of Wrath Brewing for a Gold in the American-Style IPA category, Monkless Belgian Ales for a Silver in American-Belgo-Style Ale (‘Capitulation’), Oregon City Brewing Co. for a Bronze in Belgian Fruit Beer (‘My Cerise Amour’), Deschutes Brewery for a Gold in Classic Non-Alcohol Ale or Lager (‘Super Stoked’), and Alesong Brewing & Blending for another gold medal in the mixed fermentation beer category, contributing to the impressive tally of Oregon breweries medals.
The Prestigious Great American Beer Festival for Oregon Craft Beverage Excellence
Now in its 39th edition, the Great American Beer Festival stands as the nation’s largest and most prestigious professional beer competition. Hosted by the Brewers Association, the GABF serves as a benchmark for brewing quality and innovation. For 2025, the festival introduced new categories such as Vera Hop, Mexican-Style Pale Lager, and International Amber Lager, reflecting evolving consumer tastes and brewing trends. The awards ceremony, a highlight of the festival and a key event for GABF 2025 winners, took place on October 11, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center.
A Testament to Oregon’s Craftsmanship in Oregon Craft Beverage
The collective success of Oregon’s breweries and cideries at the 2025 GABF is more than just a tally of medals; it’s a powerful statement about the dedication, creativity, and high standards upheld throughout the state’s craft beverage sector. These awards not only bring national recognition to the individual winning establishments but also bolster Oregon’s overall reputation as a premier destination for exceptional beer and cider, including renowned Oregon craft beer. The news serves as a vibrant update for the craft beer community, highlighting ongoing excellence from the Pacific Northwest and reinforcing the strength of the Oregon craft beverage movement.
