Colorado breweries win big at 2026 Great American Beer Festival

Key Points:

• Colorado breweries and cideries earned a total of 41 medals at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival, including 16 gold, 12 silver, and 13 bronze, with seven first-time winners and Cannonball Creek winning brewery of the year in its category for the second consecutive year.
• The festival underwent significant changes by moving to an outdoor hillside venue in Denver, which offered scenic views and larger pour sizes but presented challenges in accessibility for attendees with mobility issues and logistical problems such as insufficient bathroom facilities and lack of water stations.
• Despite initial transportation concerns, attendees adapted well using free neighborhood parking, shuttles, rideshares, and bicycles; the festival also shifted its awards ceremony to an open event involving all attendees rather than an industry-only gathering.
• Notable Colorado winners included Dostal Alley Brewpub & Casino taking gold in the new craft malt category, Wild Blue Yonder Brewing winning gold in the Mexican-Style Pale Lager category alongside a silver for 105 West Brewing Co., and Snow Capped Cider earning Cidermaker of the Year.
• Organizers plan to address logistical issues such as bathroom access and water availability for future festivals, with a key focus on improving accessibility on the hillside venue to enhance the experience for all attendees.