Area brewers medal at 2023 Great American Beer Festival

Niwot and Gunbarrel-connected brewers were well represented in the slate of this year's medal winners at the Great American Beer Festival. Out of the 40 medals that Colorado brewers took home this year, 11 winners came from Boulder County.

No brewer in the state won bigger this year than Wibby Brewing, whose founder and brewmaster, Ryan Wibby, grew up in Gunbarrel. Wibby Brewing was named Brewery of the Year in the 5,001 - 15,000 barrels per year category. The brewer also received a gold medal for its Wibby Jibby in the American Pilsener category, a beloved style that can be extremely challenging to brew correctly. Wibby competed against 141 entries.

Avery Brewing, located in Gunbarrel, was recognized twice. It took home a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Witbier category for its widely distributed White Rascal, and a silver medal in the Belgian Fruit Beer category for Island Rascal.

Bootstrap Brewing, which was founded in Niwot but has since moved to a larger location in Longmont, medaled, yet again, earning gold for its Wreak Havok in the Strong Red Ale category. Co-owner and head brewer Steve Kaczeus spoke about the win. "Wreak Havoc continues to be our champion with this third GABF medal, and many other competition wins. We love this beer, as do our customers, but it's always amazing for judges to validate that it's a great beer as well."

Four other brewers in Longmont also medaled this year. The Pumphouse, competing against 106 other entries, received a silver medal in the competitive experimental IPA category for its Forager IPA. Left Hand Brewing Company's Sawtooth Ale medaled again, this time taking home a gold medal in the English Mild or Bitter category. Knuckle Puck Brewing won gold for its Blown Tire American Amber, while Oskar Blues Brewery and Tasty Weasel Taproom took home bronze in the Scotch Ale category for its Old Chub.