American breweries dominate global beer competition

In May 2025, the United States hosted the World Beer Cup, a prestigious international beer competition that attracted 8,375 entries from 49 countries. Renowned as 'the Olympics of beer,' this event showcased the best breweries and ciders from around the world, with a panel of judges evaluating the entries based on various characteristics such as style, color, aroma, and flavor. The West Coast played a standout role, with California leading the pack, earning a total of 76 medals, more than any other U.S. state. Oregon, Washington, and Colorado followed with 35, 24, and 21 medals, respectively, illustrating a strong presence of craft breweries in these regions. The competition marked a significant milestone, particularly for cider categories as they made their debut in the World Beer Cup this year. Oregon's 2 Towns Ciderhouse gained recognition by medaling in four out of five cider categories and winning three gold medals for its exceptional creations. Ciders such as 'Cidre Bouche,' 'Raspberry Cosmic Crisp,' and '2019 Pommeau' earned top honors, showcasing the growing popularity of cider as a competitive craft beverage. Chris Williams, the competition director, highlighted the rapid growth of the craft beer and cider industry on the West Coast as a key factor contributing to the success of American entries. The upsurge in quality craft beverages in the U.S. reflects a burgeoning community of innovative brewers and cidermakers who are dedicated to exploring new styles and flavors. Juicy or hazy India pale ales (IPAs) also stood out in the beer competition, with the U.S. sweeping the podium by taking gold, silver, and bronze medals in this highly competitive category. The winning brewery in the IPA category was Everywhere, based in Orange, California, with their entry 'Shifted Visions.' This type of ale garnered the most submissions during the event, underscoring its wide appeal among beer enthusiasts. Overall, the 2025 World Beer Cup underscored the dominance of American breweries and highlighted the creative talents of local artisans. The results celebrated a rich tapestry of flavors, styles, and innovations, paving the way for future competitions and further establishing craft beer and cider as key players in the global alcoholic beverage industry. As these industries continue to evolve, they promise to bring forth even more exciting offerings that captivate drinkers' palates across the world.