(The Virginia Beer Company’s Terminally Pretty won second place in the overall Best in Show category)

The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild (VCBG) announced the 2021 Virginia Craft Beer Cup winners on Monday, August 16 at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery’s West Creek location. For the first time, the overall Best in Show winner — Fair Winds Brewing Company this year — was unable to attend the ceremony and hoist the Cup.

This year’s competition was managed by Head Judge Charlie Harr. 283 beers in 20 categories from 95 independent craft breweries competed in the largest competition in VCBG history. Judging took place over three days (June 4th, 5th, and 12th) at Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn, Virginia.

“The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild and Virginia Craft Beer Cup’s 10th Anniversary is an amazing milestone,” said Janell Zurschmeide, Dirt Farm Brewing and VCBG Chair. “Celebrating the 2021 Cup competitors and winners with friends and colleagues is a fitting tribute to our members’ commitment to amazing independent craft beer.”

“This year’s competition was phenomenal,” said Charlie Harr, Head Judge. “Each brewery clearly exemplified their passion and their skills in the great beers put forward. That same passion was also shown by the tremendous judges as they worked to find the best of the best.”

The Virginia Craft Beer Cup continues to be the largest state competition of its kind in the United States. The VCBG is committed to giving its members the opportunity to compete, obtain critical feedback from certified judges, and get statewide recognition that will help build their brands. The VCBG is also developing additional media, retail marketing, and tourism opportunities for Cup winners this year, ranging from a Cup Winner Beer Trail to digital medals for labels and retail POS displays.

“The Guild is excited to celebrate its 10th Anniversary and recognizing the winners of the 2021 Virginia Craft Beer Cup is the best way to celebrate,” said Brett Vassey, VCBG President & CEO.

The 2021 Virginia Craft Beer Cup winners are as follows:

BEST IN SHOW

First Place             Fair Winds Brewing Company, Quayside Kölsch

Second Place        The Virginia Beer Company, Terminally Pretty

Third Place            Dynasty Brewing Company, 838 Stout

 

ALTERNATIVE GRAIN(S), SUGAR(S), OR MIXED STYLES

First Place             Blue Mountain Barrel House, Blueberries on Acid

Second Place        St. George Brewing Company, Honey Meade Lager

Third Place            Blue Mountain Barrel House, Raspberries on Acid

 

AMBER ALE

First Place             Sweetwater Tavern, Great American Restaurants Pale Ale

Second Place        Moon Hollow Brewing Company, Lunar Highlands

Third Place            Dragon Run Brewing, One Irish Red

 

AMBER LAGER

First Place             Old Bust Head Brewing Company, Time Lapse

Second Place        Caboose Brewing Co., Vienna, VA Lager

Third Place            The Bold Mariner Brewing Company, Frogman Lager

 

BROWN ALE

First Place             Dragon Run Brewing, Beanfield Brown

Second Place        Nansemond Brewing Station, BEEnut Butter Nut Brown Ale

Third Place            The Board Room VA, The Bishop Brown

 

BOCK

First Place             Sweetwater Tavern, Sidewinder Bock

Second Place        Lake Anne Brew House, Behind Maibock

Third Place            Wasserhund Brewing Company, April Showers

 

DARK LAGER

First Place             Young Veterans Brewing Company, What About Us Lagers?

Second Place        Twin Creeks Brewing Company, Black Bar Bier

Third Place            Broken Window Brewing Company, Blitzn’d

 

FRUIT

First Place             Olde Salem Brewing Company, Bare Necessities

Second Place        Dirt Farm Brewing, Fluster Cluck

 

IPA

First Place             Pale Fire Brewing Company, Arrant IPA

Second Place        Fair Winds Brewing Company, Howling Gale

Third Place            The Vanguard Brewery & Distillery, Snap Guns IPA

 

KOLSCH

First Place              Fair Winds Brewing Company, Quayside Kölsch

Second Place         Bear Chase Brewing Company, Kodiak Kolsch

Third Place             Ornery Beer Company, Light of Cologne

 

MIXED FERMENTATION

First Place              Fine Creek Brewing Company, Rosé Gose

Second Place         Reason Beer, Wood Song Red

Third Place             Maker’s Craft Brewery, Barrel Aged Sour Cherry Porter

 

PALE ALE

First Place              Lost Barrel Brewing, Farm Ale

Second Place         Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, Westerly

Third Place             Old Ox Brewery, Ernest Cream Ale

Honorable Mention Cave Hill Farms Brewery, Pathfinder Pale Ale

 

PALE LAGER

First Place              The Virginia Beer Company, Terminally Pretty

Second Place         7 Dogs Brew Pub, CBL Lager

Third Place             Iron Pipe Alewerks, Four Horsemen of Helles

 

PILSNER

First Place              New Realm Brewing Co., Euphonia Pilsner

Second Place         Wheatland Spring Farm + Brewery, Found Artifacts

Third Place             Rocket Frog Brewing Company, Žába

 

PORTER

First Place             Black Hoof Brewing Company, Duck Blind Baltic Porter

Second Place        Port City Brewing Company, Porter

Third Place            Old Ox Brewery, Black Ox

 

SPECIALTY IPA

First Place              Ballad Brewing, Love Wins Wheat IPA

Second Place         Eastern Divide Brewing Company, Cliffhanger Session IPA

Third Place             Precarious Beer Project, Jiu Jitsu Shih Tzu

Honorable Mention 2 Silos Brewing Co., Mosaic Goat

 

STOUT

First Place             Dynasty Brewing Company, 838 Stout

Second Place        The Virginia Beer Company, Elbow Patches

Third Place            Sweetwater Tavern, High Desert Imperial Stout

 

STRONG ALE

First Place              Olde Salem Brewing Company, Death Letter

Second Place         Beltway Brewing Company, Art in Execution

Third Place             Broken Window Brewing Company, The Highlander

(Relaxed and fun atmosphere for the 2021 Virginia Craft Brewers Cup ceremony inside Hardywood Park West Creek). 

VEGETABLE/SPICE

First Place              Tucked Away Brewing Company, Local National (Jalapeño)

Second Place         Water’s End Brewery, Christmas Quad

Third Place             That Damn Mary Brewing Company, Smack It Like Its Hot

 

WHEAT BEER

First Place              Ornery Beer Company, Down Wit It

Second Place         The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Fat Bird

Third Place            Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve, Leipziger Gose

 

WOOD & SMOKE

First Place              Cedar Run Brewery, Barrel Aged Gus Imperial Stout

Second Place         Brothers Craft Brewing, Resolute

Third Place             Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Tom Cat Wheatwine

Honorable Mention Mountain Valley Brewing, Porter’s Porter