American breweries earned significant acclaim at the 2025 Brussels Beer Challenge, securing 28 medals. This marks a substantial leap from last year’s 19 awards for the burgeoning US craft beer scene. The competition is a premier global event, celebrating brewing excellence worldwide. This achievement underscores the rising quality of US craft beer and confirms American brews’ place on the international stage. The success of US craft beer at this prestigious event is a testament to the dedication of American craft breweries.
US Craft Beer Breweries and West Coast Stars Shine
pFriem Family Brewers stood out among the participating US craft breweries. This esteemed Oregon brewery won four medals. Their accolades spanned pale ales, lagers, and lambics. Firestone Walker Brewing Company also delivered a strong performance. They collected three prestigious medals. Their iconic IPA, Union Jack, was crowned Best American Beer and clinched gold in the English IPA category. This award highlights its timeless quality and is a significant US craft beer award. Firestone Walker’s Pivo Pils also earned gold. It won in the Italian-style Pilsner category. This victory is notable for a lager in a competitive style. pFriem’s Lager secured a gold medal too. It triumphed in the Helles category. Notably, it bested entries from Germany. It even surpassed other Oregon breweries like Heater Allen Brewing, further cementing the quality of US craft beer.
A Nationwide Sweep of US Craft Beer Awards
In total, 18 US craft breweries received medals at the Brussels Beer Challenge. This reflects a broad talent pool within the US craft beer movement. The US collected six gold medals, eight breweries earned silver awards, and fourteen received bronze medals. This widespread success demonstrates US craft beer’s diversity. Awards were distributed across many styles, with US beers medaling in categories like ESB, Pacific IPA, and fruit beer. Barrel-aged stouts, honey beers, and chocolate/coffee beers were also recognized, showcasing the breadth of US craft beer quality. Night Shift Brewing secured a bronze medal for their Whirlpool beer in the American Pale Ale category, another notable mention for US craft beer.
The Prestige of the Brussels Beer Challenge for US Craft Beer
The 2025 Brussels Beer Challenge marked its 14th edition. It took place in Marche en Famenne, Belgium. The event drew an impressive 1,701 entries from 36 countries. Eighty international beer experts served as judges, meticulously evaluating each submission. The competition is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious beer contests and an important global beer competition. Results were officially announced on November 17, 2025, providing valuable data on US craft beer performance.
Brewers Association Fuels Global Ambitions for US Craft Beer
The Brewers Association played a vital role. Its Export Development Programme (EDP) facilitated US brewery participation. The EDP covered competition entry fees and arranged consolidated shipping to Belgium. This support is crucial for international outreach, helping US craft beer gain global visibility and distribution. Lotte Peplow, the Brewers Association’s European ambassador, praised the brewers. She highlighted their exceptional skill and creativity. Steve Parr, a director at the Brewers Association, affirmed that American craft beer deserves a global presence, a sentiment echoed by the recent US craft beer awards.
A Resounding Message for Craft Beer News: The Strength of US Craft Beer
These 28 medals send a powerful message about US craft beer. They confirm American craft beer’s competitive edge globally. This international recognition significantly boosts export prospects for US craft beer. It highlights the innovation and dedication of US brewers. The news from Belgium offers a promising outlook for US craft beer awards and solidifies the ongoing evolution and success of US beer on the world stage, particularly for American craft breweries.
