(Elation Brewing Company of Norfolk scores a silver in the Fruit/Vegetable category)
By Jeff Maisey
Breweries from Hampton Roads scored medals in Richmond on Monday where the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild announced the 2020 winners in its ninth annual statewide competition.
Norfolk’s Benchtop Brewing Company was the most successful 757 brewery, taking home a gold medal for its Mermaid’s Lure in the Fruit/Vegetable category and a silver in the Specialty – Other category with its Friar Storm entry.
The Vanguard, a brewpub and distillery in Hampton that produces beer under the Caiseal label, won a gold for its House Beer in the Kolsch category.
Silver medals went to Elation Brewing Company (Norfolk), Tradition Brewing Company (Newport News), and St. George Brewing Company (Hampton). St George won for its Honey Mead Lager, which has won multiple awards in the past three years.
Taking home bronze medals were Big Ugly Brewing Company (Chesapeake) and Maker’s Craft Brewery (Norfolk).
This year’s Virginia Craft Beer Cup competition was managed by Head Judge Charlie Harr. In all, 267 beers in 20 categories competed for awards. Gold, silver and bronze medals are presented in each category.
“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 first place winning beers in each category contend for the Best in Show medals with the overall top beer determining the Cup champion.
Black Hoof Brewing Company, a family-owned microbrewery located in downtown Leesburg specializing in traditional German-style beers, became the first brewery from Northern Virginia to win the Virginia Craft Beer Cup when its Muzzle Loader Munich Dunkel was crowned Best in Show.
New Realm Brewing Company (2019) and Smartmouth Brewing Company (2017) — both located in Hampton Roads — are past Cup winners.
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
(Big Ugly Brewing Company’s Accelerator won a bronze in the Bock category)
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
(Randy Thomas of The Vanguard Brewpub/Caiseal savors his gold medal)
KOLSCH
First Place: The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery/Caiseal, House Beer
Second Place: Sweetwater Taven, Barking Frog Kolsch
Third Place: None
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
Third Place: None
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
(St George Brewing Company’s Honey Mead Lager just keeps winning awards)
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
Third Place: None
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
