Wisconsin breweries took home 10 medals at the 2016 U.S. Open Beer Championship, although none were named among the top breweries of the year.
The contest, held in Oxford, Ohio, included more than 90 categories for ales, lagers, hybrids, barrel aged, special and non-alcoholic beers. In total, there were more than 5,000 entries.
Glendale-based Sprecher Brewing Co. took home four awards, including golds for its root beer, hard root beer and XII, a Belgian quadruple.
“The U.S. Open is an increasingly tough contest reflective of all the good brewers in the world. Last year almost 4,000 beers were entered; this year almost 5,000. Given the competition, we’re delighted our brewmaster, Craig Burge, and his crew earned so much recognition,” said Anne Sprecher, communications manager for Sprecher. “We’d also like to congratulate the other Wisconsin breweries that won awards in this competition. Well deserved.”
Middleton-based Capital Brewery, a former grand national champion, had the second best showing amongst Wisconsin entries. It received a gold in the American Amber/California Common category for Wisconsin Amber and silvers in Muncher Dunkel/Dark and Bock for Munich Dark and Maibock respectively.
Stevens Point Brewery took home a silver for in sessions beer for Point S.P.A. and a bronze in American Premium Lager for Point Special Lager.
Waukesha-based Raised Grain Brewing Co., which moved into its own facility just last year, took home a bronze in Imperial Red Ale for its Paradocs Red IIPA.
