2015 GABF Winners

I don't think you'll every find out which beers were entered in each category since the organizers simply don't publish that list nor provide enough information to all us to identify any entries other than the medal winners.

 

Not quite meaningless. At least one knows that the medal winners are beers of good quality according to the judging criteria.

 

Anybody know the criteria for a "Field" beer?

 

What's the difference between a "Double Red" and an "Imperial Red"? I've had the gold medal winners in both and I'd love to know what makes them different..

 

Gotta love what Barley Brown's are doing, they're killing it. Just wish I got to OR more often to sample their offerings!

 

Dude. That's a dime a dozen IPA. Solid though. No doubt. Lucky they medaled. If I lived in NC I'd be drinking Foothills Jade IPA over Pernicious all day long. ;-)

 

Uh, yeah Pabst!!!!!!!
Keepcrankin' out those great cream ales you are so known for
I guess??! $??&€?*£?

 

I was wondering the same thing. Both great beers, but both in the same category to me

 

Maybe they just wanted to make a way to give Gold to both beers, both are great.

 

Check the entry instructions for Brewers. IIRC they will be described or referenced there so Brewers can decide which category to enter a beer.

 

If this was really meaningless, as some have suggested, then no one would enter the competition.

These are blind tastings, with qualified judges, what could be more meaningful?

Congrats to this year's winners.

 

Not required to enter a beer to have a booth.

 

Ac golden ctayt was pretty terrible thefirst time around, how it won its category I will never know...

 

Bosque Brewing Acequia wins Gold for Wet Hop IPA. I'll keep mentioning Bosque until people pay attention.

 

Couple things:

1. Firestone absolutely deserves any awards they receive. Super well established, kick ass beer brewed properly. I truly believe Pivo was the best tasting German pils there.

2. Yes, this is all subjective, and based on people who are BJCP certified, etc etc. But at the end of the day, if there are 336 entries for American IPA it does come down to what beer the judges like the most, I'm assuming --- pending that it's in the style parameters.

 

I can see many reasons why you can't assume Heady would win the competition. First, while the beer is widely considered one of the best in the world, it's built that reputation on its scarcity along with its taste. With GABF being a blind tasting competition, there's no guarantee that its taste alone would carry it to a medal. Second, there's always a chance that Heady doesn't rate well against the specific style guidelines that are used in judging. Third, a quick perusal of the past winners shows that The Alchemist has entered beers before.

I will grant you that the GABF results should not be considered the absolute authority on the best beers around. They only can judge what is entered. Also, as mentioned elsewhere, they're judging to style guidelines, not personal preference. Just look at the Pumpkin Beer category. There was no gold medal awarded. It's like a dog show with respect to judging to style. Additionally, while I would like all breweries to enter, I can certainly understand why a brewery wouldn't. There really is no reason for Heady to be entered. As I said above, it has a stellar reputation built on taste and scarcity. Why risk being judged poorly on a blind taste test when winning isn't raising the profile of your beer? This logic could apply to RR and PtE, also.

In the end, my overall point is that we should look at the winners as good beers that fit very well in their respective style categories.

 

Apparently its the best stout in American right now....NOT

 

Glad to see Veritas 015 win gold in the Wood/BA sour category! This year's Veritas was such an amazing blend.