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● LIVE Updated 2h ago · 13 sources tracked

Colorado breweries win big at a vastly changed Great American Beer Festival

Colorado breweries took home a total of 34 to 41 medals at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival, with 27 breweries earning hardware. The festival had a new look and feel this year, having downsized and moved from its longtime location. Golden-based Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. won a second consecutive Brewery of the Year honor.

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  • ✓ Colorado breweries won 34 medals at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival.
  • ✓ 27 Colorado breweries earned hardware at the awards ceremony on Oct. 11.
  • ✓ Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. won a second consecutive Brewery of the Year honor.
  • ✓ The Great American Beer Festival awarded 336 medals to breweries and cideries.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 13 independent reporting domains (80% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

The 2026 Great American Beer Festival featured a revamped format and a downsized event, which was a departure from previous years.

Live updates

  1. Colorado breweries win big at 2026 Great American Beer Festival

    Colorado breweries took home a total of 34 to 41 medals at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival, with 27 breweries earning hardware. The festival had a new look and feel this year, having downsized and moved from its longtime location. Golden-based Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. won a second consecutive Brewery of the Year honor.

    Why it matters

    The Great American Beer Festival is an annual competition that recognizes the best breweries and beers in the US. This year's festival was notable for its changes in format and location. The competition awarded a total of 336 medals to breweries and cideries.

    What is confirmed

    • Colorado breweries won 34 medals at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival.
    • 27 Colorado breweries earned hardware at the awards ceremony on Oct. 11.
    • Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. won a second consecutive Brewery of the Year honor.
    • The Great American Beer Festival awarded 336 medals to breweries and cideries.
    • Colorado breweries/cideries also won 41 medals at the revamped Great American Beer Festival.

    What to watch next

    • Details on the new format and location of future Great American Beer Festivals
    • Reactions from other winning breweries and cideries
    Sources used for this update (13)
    1. WGN-TV — These are the top breweries of 2026, per Great American Beer Festival awards
    2. WAVY.com — Local brewers take home honors at Great American Beer Festival
    3. Brewers Association — Here Are the Nation’s Best Beers and Ciders of 2026
    4. FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News — Oceanside brewery named among champions at Great American Beer Festival
    5. Westword — Colorado breweries win big at a vastly changed Great American Beer Festival
    6. KTAR News 92.3 FM — Arizona breweries win 8 medals at national beer competition
    7. www.insidernj.com — Insider NJ’s Morning Intelligence Briefing: 10/13/2026 - Insider NJ
    8. www.westword.com — Colorado breweries win big at 2026 Great American Beer Festival
    9. www.denverpost.com — Colorado breweries/cideries win 41 medals at revamped Great ...
    10. coloradobeer.org — Colorado Brewers Collect 34 Awards at Great American Beer ...
    11. travelboulder.com — Colorado Breweries Win 34 Medals at Great American Beer Festival
    12. bizwest.com — Area breweries win Great American Beer Festival medals
    confidence 80%
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