Arizona breweries have garnered significant national recognition, collectively winning eight medals, including three prestigious gold awards, at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival competition. The awards highlighted brewing excellence from various corners of the state, with winners spanning from Tucson to Kingman, showcasing the diverse and growing craft beer scene in the region.
Phoenix-based Wren House Brewing Co. distinguished itself by leading the state's medal count with two gold medals. One of their top honors was for its festbier, which secured a gold in the highly competitive Dortmunder or German-style festbier category. This category alone saw 161 entries, making Wren House's achievement particularly notable. This specific festbier had previously won gold in 2022, marking its second triumph in this national competition. The brewery expressed its dedication to this particular brew, stating in an online post that "This beer is an absolute labor of love." Wren House Brewing Co.'s second gold medal was awarded for its whiskey barrel-aged marzen, which excelled in the distinct wood- and barrel-aged beer category. The brewery's team has been actively involved in experimenting with various barrel-aged beers, many of which are developed and made available for members of its Saguaro Society.
The state's third gold medal was claimed by Saddle Mountain Brewing Co., located in Goodyear. Their innovative dill pickle-infused sour, creatively named "Dill You Take Me Higher?", earned the top prize in the experimental beer category. This particular win underscores a willingness within Arizona's brewing community to explore unique flavor profiles and push the boundaries of traditional beer styles, leading to national acclaim.
Beyond the gold medalists, two other Arizona breweries received recognition with silver medals. Corbett Brewing, situated in Tucson, earned a silver award in the smoke beer category for its Cypress Pils. This beer was acknowledged for its quality among its peers. Further north in Kingman, Rickety Cricket Brewing was also honored with a silver medal. Their Barrel Aged Bee’s Knees 2025 was recognized in the barley wine or wheat wine category, adding to the state's diverse collection of award-winning brews.
These recent accolades at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival continue a positive trend for Arizona's brewing industry. In the previous year, a total of seven Arizona breweries also received awards at the same festival. This consistent performance indicates a sustained level of high-quality brewing across the state, with both established and experimental breweries achieving national recognition year after year. The widespread nature of the wins, covering different styles and locations, reflects the robust health and innovative spirit of Arizona's local beer landscape.