My observations: As someone who lives near Sacramento, I'm first looking for local winners. And yet again, it appears many breweries NEAR Sac are entering, but none IN Sac are. And it's the same near Sac breweries winning each year - Sudwerks for some basic German style, Morgan Territory usually for barleywines but this year two German styles, Moksa for something. I'm sure New Glory could win in something if they ever entered, maybe Track 7. That said, I found it honestly shocking that Flatland got gold in the Juicy or Hazy IPA category, which surely is one of the most competitive categories, for Anhyzer Kush. I had this there just a few weeks ago, and finished my last can a few days ago. I like Flatland, but I only buy beers to take home because I'm there and I don't want to make another trip somewhere else. I thought this was a replacement level IPA, at least compared to the other Sac-area offerings. I can easily find hazies I prefer over Flatlands at any particular visit to New Glory or Fieldwork. I don't mean to criticize them - I go there a lot and congratulate them on a pretty big win. Notable winner I didn't expect to see: RRBC Intinction in the fruited BA sour category, which RRBC pretty much solely created in the US. Usually in high-stakes competitions, for beer and wine, the generally acknowledged kings don't enter, because if they win, they were expected to; if they lose, then their rein is over they got passed by yada yada. So, kudos to RRBC to throw the book out the window and go for it! Notable absentee: Fieldwork, when are you ever gonna enter this? I see all the other California craft titans winning, like Bottle Logic, Alvarado Street, The Bruery, etc. You are my favorite brewery that I get on the reg, and I know you make better beer than many award winners I see!
Yeah I was thinking of mentioning that. I texted him congrats. Also told him I need to restock before the end of the year. His rye ale is that good; his beers have a really nice fine creamy texture across the board.
He's high on my list of brewers to check out. Unfortunately I don't find myself in the Napa area often. But as my kids get older and my folks visit more often they want to expand their experience of northern California so we've started meeting up away from our place. I might have to lobby for Napa next time we do. I love a good rye ale, not enough of them around these days
Glad to see all the love North Park, Ghost Town, and Faction received. Hope Flatland does more Anhyzer Kush in the future, I'd love to try it fresh. Was stoked to be there to see @Sixtel walk the stage to collect Moksa's medal. Congrats to all the medalists!
California Brewers normally do pretty well at the GABF, but this year was particularly strong. By my count, looks like California Brewers took home 77 or 78 medals (so many, I had a hard time counting them all). Congratulations to everyone who won a medal this year.
SLICE BEER CO from Lincoln, CA got a Gold as well. Neon Lites wins Gold at the Great American Beer Festival in the Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale category.
I have been a member for three years and tried close to 30 of their beers including the rye ale. We are up in St Helena quarterly to pickup our beers (make a day of it). When we first purchased the membership, we only made it up once the first year. Just too busy. Our schedule seems to be more aligned this year.
Add Original Patterns in Oakland picking up a medal. Oakland has a nice beer scene going on. I need to visit Ghost Town and Original Patterns (drink their cans from a local beer store). I have been to Faction several times, but it's been many years. Great view of SF and the bay while drinking a few.
The ghost town location on MacArthur is a nice courtyard with lots of tables where you can enjoy a huge selection alongside some fine Oakland hipster specimens. The food I've had was solid too. And I agree, Oakland is building up quite a solid beer scene. Better than SF and the peninsula for sure. Especially if you throw Alameda (Faction and Almananc and the Admiral Malting tasting room) and Emeryville (Wondrous) in the mix.
I think their brewing capability is fairly limited as well. At least that's the impression I got from my visits there. Wouldn't mind seeing some of their IPAs/DIPA's in PDX as well, but I doubt that's going to happen any time soon.
