Cosmic Cali wins gold for world's best hazy IPA

In 2025, the Best of Craft Beer Awards recognized Cosmic Cali, a collaborative hazy IPA, as the world's best. This award-winning beer is a product of a collaboration between Spider Bite Beer Co. from Holbrook and Great South Bay Brewing from Bay Shore, both located in Long Island, New York. Judges at the competition tasted over 1200 beers from around the globe, with hazy IPAs becoming one of the most popular categories based on the 69 entries. The collaboration combines the two breweries' existing beers, Cosmic Juice IPA and Going Back to Cali IPA, resulting in a unique flavor that impressed the judges. Following Cosmic Cali in the awards were two runners-up. The silver medal was awarded to Icy Fog from McMenamins Old Saint Francis School, a brewery and hotel located in Bend, Oregon. This beer features a blend of different malts and hops to evoke tropical fruit flavors alongside notes reminiscent of candied oranges. Additionally, the bronze medal went to Professional Human Being from Ambitious Ales based in Long Beach, California. This hazy IPA is designed with a variety of hops providing fruity aromas, including papaya and gooseberry, and it also has a citrus-forward finish. Within the context of craft beer competitions, such results reflect broader trends and shifts in consumer preferences. Despite some brewers and aficionados becoming weary of hazy IPAs due to negative experiences with poorly crafted versions, successful beers like Cosmic Cali rejuvenate interest and remind drinkers of why they enjoyed this style in the first place. However, localized distribution remains a challenge for many award-winning beers, requiring fans to visit breweries to experience them, as shipping beer across state lines is often prohibited. As the craft beer industry continues to thrive, awards such as the Best of Craft Beer Awards highlight not only the creativity behind the beers but also the diversity of the breweries involved. These competitions play a crucial role in promoting both established brands and emerging players in the craft beer scene.