The Great American Beer Festival award ceremony is one of the highlights of the year in craft beer. It is a great time for new breweries to have their beers judged against the best in the country, all on a level playing field, by a group of nationally recognized beer judges. The Festival competition awards gold, silver, and bronze medals in 107 beer-style categories.
It was not too long ago that Florida’s craft beer community did not have enough members to fill the big table at a restaurant. Now, with over 220 craft breweries and brewpubs, there is significant competition in the craft beer scene but there is the same amount of camaraderie.
As a testament to the monumental growth of craft beer across the globe, the Great American Beer Festival continues to grow and invite more breweries from across the United States. That means more amazing beers submitted for the judging at the festival competition, one of the most prestigious and competitive in the world. That also means that Florida’s craft breweries are facing stiffer competition from breweries both new and old. This is not a knock against Florida’s breweries, as some of the best beer in the world is crafted in the Sunshine State, just an acknowledgement of the level of competition that everyone is working with.