Highlights from the New York State Craft Beer Competition
For the third time in four years, Brooklyn’s Grimm Artisanal Ales has claimed the title of the best New York brewery. This prestigious honor was part of the 2024 New York State Craft Beer Competition, the largest state-level craft beer competition in the country. The event, held in Rochester and Albany, showcased an impressive array of craft beers from across the state.
New York State Craft Beer Competition Overview
The New York State Craft Beer Competition is a highly celebrated event that began in 2017. This year’s competition saw a record 1,421 beer entries from 232 different breweries. In total, 96 medals were awarded across 30 different beer style categories, emphasizing the diversity and quality of craft beer in New York.
The Best Breweries in New York
Among the winners of the Governor’s Cup, Grimm Artisanal Ales stood out by securing the title of Best New York Brewery. With an impressive haul of three Gold medals, one Silver, and one Bronze, Grimm Artisanal Ales demonstrated consistent excellence. Additionally, they had previously won the best brewery award in both 2021 and 2022.
The Governor’s Cup
Kingston Standard Brewing Co. in the Hudson Valley took home the Governor’s Cup for the best beer of 2024 with their Barrel Aged Sour, “Love Is Overtaking Me.” You can even get this award-winning brew delivered to your door via the NYS Craft Beer & Chocolate Box Winter Survival Kit.
Standout Awards and Special Mentions
Several other breweries also received notable honors. The special award for the best collaboration beer went to “BreakingBird,” a Wild & Sour Ale made by Strangebird Beer in partnership with Breakside Brewery of Portland, Oregon. Heritage Hill Brewhouse earned the title of best New York State Farm Beer with their “Coconut Cluster,” a robust Imperial Stout featuring coconut cream, Tahitian vanilla beans, and Mexican cocoa nibs.
Winning Breweries by Region
Central New York breweries made a strong showing as well, with ONCO Fermentations, Underground Beer Lab, Talking Cursive, Prison City, Shep’s, and Lunkenheimer taking home medals.
Medal Winners
Category | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
---|---|---|---|
Light Lagers (Traditional) | Eleven – Strong Rope Brewery | Bezucha Brothers – West Kill Brewing | Brook & Reed – Drowned Lands |
Amber Lagers | Pleasantbräu Oktoberfest – Soul Brewing Company | Fly In Any Weather – Rising Storm Brewing Company | Polotmavý Peka? – Wayward Lane Brewing |
The Importance of Quality in New York State Craft Beer
Paul Leone, the executive director of the New York State Brewers Association, remarked on the consistently high quality of entries. “It’s incredible to see many of the same breweries win medals each year. It’s a true testament to the quality of the beer in New York State,” Leone stated.
New Categories in 2024
This year, the competition introduced two new categories: Cream Ales and Dark Lagers. Cream Ale, in particular, holds a significant historical connection to New York, adding a touch of tradition to the innovative spirit of the competition.
Get Involved with New York Craft Beer
The New York State Craft Beer Competition offers a splendid opportunity to explore the rich, diverse landscape of New York’s brewing scene. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or just enjoy a casual sip, there’s no better time to dive into the New York craft beer world. With over 500 breweries in the state, there’s a craft beer adventure waiting just around the corner.