Several Fairfax County Breweries received major awards from the 2020 Virginia Craft Beer Cup, held annually by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, beating out nearly 300 beers in almost 20 categories. The Cup is the largest state competition of its kind in the United States and brings together brewers from all different regions of the Commonwealth. Congratulations to Fair Winds Brewing Company in Lorton, Mustang Sally Brewing Company in Chantilly, Lake Anne Brew House in Reston, Caboose Brewing Company based out of Vienna, and Sweetwater Tavern (part of the Great American Restaurants group).
 

See the full list of winners and read the full release by Virginia Craft Brewers Guild below. 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kaitlyn Crow kcrow@vacraftbrewersguild.com
 

2020 Virginia Craft Beer Cup Winners Announced
-9th Annual Awards Ceremony-
 

Richmond, VA - The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild announced the 2020 Virginia Craft Beer Cup winners on Monday, August 31, 2020, at Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond, Virginia. The event looked different this year, with face masks, social distancing, and hand sanitizer placed all over the venue, but the excitement in the air was unchanged.


This year’s competition was managed by Head Judge Charlie Harr. 267 beers in almost 20 categories competed for awards. The judging took place Saturday, July 25, at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn, Virginia.


“This was a challenging year due to the pandemic. However, we made several adjustments to operate in a safe environment and follow established guidelines. In the end we had a lot of fun, made new friends and tasted some great Virginia beers,” said Charlie Harr, Head Judge.


The Virginia Craft Beer Cup continues to be the largest state competition of its kind in the United States. The VCBG is committed to giving its members the opportunity to compete, obtain critical feedback from certified judges, and get statewide recognition that will help build their brands. That is why the Guild’s priority this year was to not falter in its efforts to celebrate craft beer in Virginia, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.


“The Virginia Craft Beer Cup is all about sharing what we have learned as craft brewers and small businesses, making memories, and best of all, celebrating the best of what Virginia Brewers have to offer! Besides, you never know who might win,” said Sten Sellier, Beltway Brewing Company. “Having brought a few medals back to our brewery in the past, I can say that bragging rights are always a big plus!”


“The annual VA Craft Beer Cup is such a fun event that brings our breweries together for some healthy competition and camaraderie,” said Janell Zurschmeide, Dirt Farm Brewing. “It allows us to celebrate each other, especially the winners, and further promote our independent breweries.”


The 2020 Virginia Craft Beer Cup winners are as follows:
 

BEST IN SHOW
First Place Black Hoof Brewing Company, Muzzle Loader Munich Dunkel
Second Place Cedar Run Brewery, Goats in the House Pilsner
Third Place Port City Brewing Company, Optimal Wit
 

AMBER ALE
First Place The Board Room VA, Ticket to Ride Red Ale
Second Place Random Row Brewing Co., Scouser Red Ale
Third Place 7 Dogs Brew Pub, Scottish 80
 

AMBER LAGER
First Place Fairwinds Brewing Company, High Barbary
Second Place Tasting Room at Mount Ida Reserve, First Edition
Third Place Mustang Sally Brewing Company, Half Moon Rising
 

BROWN ALE
First Place Old Ox Brewery, Black Ox Rye Porter
Second Place Ballad Brewing, Fast Mail Mild Ale
Third Place Rocket Frog Brewing Company, Wallops Island
 

BOCK
First Place Black Hoof Brewing Company, Broadside Maibock
Second Place Barking Rose Brewing Company + Farm, Dopplebock
Third Place Big Ugly Brewing, Accelerator

 

DARK LAGER
First Place Black Hoof Brewing Company, Muzzleloader Munich Dunkel
Second Place Gloucester Brewing Company, Mobjack Black
Third Place Maker’s Craft Brewery, Thurinigan
 

FRUIT/VEGETABLE
First Place Benchtop Brewing Company, Mermaid’s Lure
Second Place Elation Brewing Company, Rosé Gosé
Third Place Mustang Sally Brewing Company, Getaway Plan
Honorable Mention Stable Craft Brewing, Blueberry Blonde
 

IPA
First Place Stone Brewing Co., Stone IPA
Second Place Fairwinds Brewing Company, Howling Gale
Third Place Heliotrope Brewing, Oxfordcommadisiac
Honorable Mention Random Row Brewing Co., Windswell DIPA
 

SAISON
First Place Old Ox Brewery, Sightseer Saison
Second Place Bingo Beer Co, Patio Vibes
Third Place Ardent Craft Ales, Ardent Saison
 

PALE ALE
First Place Beltway Brewing Company, Approachable Guise
Second Place Twin Creeks Brewing Company, Keep Ya Distance Cream Ale
Third Place Barking Rose Brewing Company + Farm, Conviction
Honorable Mention Random Row Brewing Co., Mosaic Pale Ale
 

KOLSCH
First Place The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery, House Beer
Second Place Sweetwater Taven, Barking Frog Kolsch
 

PALE LAGER
First Place Cave Hill Farms Brewery, Loafing Shed Lager
Second Place Port City Brewing Company, Helles Lager
Third Place Dynasty Brewing, Dynasty Lager
 

PILSNER
First Place Cedar Run Brewery, Goats in the House Pilsner
Second Place Tradition Brewing Company, Tradice
Third Place Bingo Beer Co, Bingo Lager
 

SPECIALTY – OTHER
First Place Blue Mountain Barrel House, Raspberries on Acid
Second Place Benchtop Brewing Company, Friar Storm
Third Place Extra Billy’s Smokehouse & Brewery, Capital Kolsch
 

SOUR
First Place Reason Beer, Gryffon’s Red
Second Place Audacious Aleworks, Anniversary Flanders Red Ale
 

SPECIALTY MIXED
First Place 2 Witches Winery & Brewing Company, Franc-n-Stein
Second Place Fine Creek Brewing Company, Wine Barrel Aged Golden Sour
Third Place Fine Creek Brewing Company, Herbarium Wild Saison
 

SPECIALTY – ALTERNATIVE
First Place That Damn Mary Brewing Company, Holden in the Rye
Second Place St. George Brewing Company, Honey Mead Lager
Third Place Dirt Farm Brewing, Honey Helles
 

SPECIALTY WOOD
First Place Caboose Brewing Company, Fireside Ale
Second Place 2 Silos Brewing Company, Barrel Reserve: Imperial Stout
Third Place Blue Mountain Barrel House, Dark Hollow
 

STOUT
First Place Dynasty Brewing, 838 Stout
Second Place Great Valley Farm Brewery, Stout
 

STRONG ALE
First Place Garden Grove Brewing Co., Fergus Wee Heavy
Second Place Lake Anne Brew House, 2020
Third Place Lake Anne Brew House, Quadiversary
Honorable Mention Tasting Room at Mount Ida Reserve, Murcielago Madison Stout
 

WHEAT BEER
First Place Port City Brewing Company, Optimal Wit
Second Place Trapezium Brewing Co., Chasing Ponies
Third Place Spencer Devon Brewing, Pontoon Bridges
 


Award winners will be featuring their beers in their tasting rooms and through their wholesale and retail partners. The VCBG encourages craft beer enthusiasts to visit these breweries and try these great brews. To learn more about these breweries and plan your taproom trip, visit our Virginia Brewery Map or go to the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s craft beer site to plan your next weekend or vacation.


The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild (Guild) is an association of independent, small and traditional breweries dedicated to growing the craft beer industry in the Commonwealth. The Guild is the state affiliate of the Brewers Association. For information of the Beer Judge Certification Program, go to http://www.bjcp.org/. For more information on the Guild, go to www.vacraftbeer.com and www.vacraftbrewersguild.com.

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