:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Beer-in-the-World-According-to-the-World-Beer-Cup-FT-BLOG0525-a3d8aae08d314bbca11688da75632d84.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "What the World Beer Cup Taught Us About the State of Brewing in 2025")
- The 2025 World Beer Cup showcased 8,375 entries from over 1,700 breweries across 37 countries, judged in 112 style categories by an international panel, with hazy IPAs being the most-entered category (290 entries).
- Everywhere Brewing Co. (CA) and Pinthouse Pizza (TX) each won gold medals in the most competitive IPA categories — Juicy or Hazy IPA and West Coast-style IPA, respectively — while Colorado breweries collectively brought home 18 awards.
- Cider made its debut in the competition, with Oregon’s 2 Towns Ciderhouse earning six medals across new apple-forward categories, highlighting a growing industry trend toward expanded beverage styles beyond traditional beer.
Every beer lover longs to discover the holy grail: the prized brews that stand out from the crowd and prove themselves to be among the finest the world has to offer. The pinnacle of that pursuit is the World Beer Cup, where top brewers from around the globe come together to both compete and celebrate the best of the best.
In May, the Brewers Association, which organizes the event, announced the winners of the 2025 competition. The results offered unique insight into the current trends shaping the industry.
More than 1,700 breweries competed in this year’s event, which many dub “the Olympics of beer,” held in May during the Brewers Association’s Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis. The style that attracted the most entries, and consequently the most attention, was hop-forward beers.
The juicy or hazy India pale ale category received the most entries, totaling 290. Everywhere Brewing Co. of Orange, California, won gold in this category for Shifted Visions. Hana Koa Brewing Co. from Hawaii took home silver, while Riverside NEOPA from Guggman Haus in Indianapolis earned the bronze.
There were 253 entries in the West Coast-style IPA competition. Pinthouse Pizza in Austin won gold for its Mosaic Takedown. Ghost Town Brewing earned silver for Chasmic Absorption Through Whirlpools of Disarray, and New York’s Wayward Land Brewing won bronze for its beer, Terraform.
This year’s World Beer Cup attracted 8,375 entries from 37 countries. An international panel of judges evaluated beers across 112 categories to determine the medalists. Entries were assessed based on style, color, appearance, aroma, and flavor.
“This roster of 2025 winners represents the pinnacle of craft brewing and cideries, demonstrating what’s achievable through dedication and passion,” said Chris Williams, competition director for the World Beer Cup.
The German-Style Pilsener category, which had 186 entries, saw Arbeiter Brewing Co. of Minneapolis win gold for its Haha Pils. Canada’s Snake Lake Brewing Co. took silver for Kinabik Pilsner, while California’s MadeWest Brewing earned bronze for Planks.
Colorado, which has long been at the forefront of the craft beer movement in America, once again showcased its strength. Fifteen breweries from Colorado brought home 18 awards across various categories.
“Colorado continues its tradition of making high-quality, world-class beers,” says Shawnee Adelson, executive director of the Colorado Brewers Guild. “From barleywines to Belgian-style beers to session IPAs, Colorado proved that they are able to brew a diverse range of beers for every palate.”
Denver’s River North Brewery earned three medals by exploring adjunct beer categories: chocolate, pumpkin, and coffee. The Denver brewer has won medals in each of these categories twice over the past three years.
Hard cider was included in this year’s judging, with five apple-forward categories introduced. Corvallis, Oregon-based 2 Towns Ciderhouse amassed an impressive six medals. The cidery won gold in Experimental, Barrel-Aged of Specialty Cider (2019 Pommeau), Fruited Cider (Raspberry Cosmic Crisp), and Tannic Cider (2023 Cidre Bouché).
The World Beer Cup, which began in 1996, is considered among the most prestigious competitions in the beer industry. Next year’s Cup is scheduled to be held in Philadelphia.
Understanding Cider Categories
For the first time in its history, the World Beer Cup included hard cider in its judging, introducing apple-forward categories that reflect the growing complexity of the craft cider movement. Here’s what those new categories mean:
Experimental, Barrel-Aged or Specialty Cider: Ciders in this group push the boundaries — often aged in barrels, blended with other fruits, or featuring non-traditional fermentation techniques. Think of this as the playground for innovation.
Fruited Cider: This category highlights ciders made with added fruit beyond apples or pears — such as berries, citrus, or stone fruit — resulting in a range of sweet, tart, and juicy profiles.
Tannic Cider: Made from heirloom or bittersweet apple varieties, these ciders offer a structured, wine-like mouthfeel with subtle bitterness and drying tannins — a style prized by connoisseurs.
Modern Cider: Usually made with dessert apples like Gala or Fuji, these ciders are often filtered, bright, and fruit-forward. They represent the more accessible, everyday style found in most stores.
Traditional Cider: Crafted with cider-specific apple varieties, these tend to be more rustic, complex, and fermented with wild or native yeasts. Expect earthy aromas and nuanced acidity.
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