On July 4, 2021, the Canyon Club microbrewery restaurant in Moraga, California was bustling with excitement as patrons savored a refreshing glass of Beta Tested Pilsner. The lively atmosphere was captured by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images, highlighting the vibrant craft beer scene at the establishment. Meanwhile in Minnesota, several breweries were celebrating their triumphs at the World Beer Cup Awards held in Las Vegas.
The prestigious event saw breweries compete for gold, silver or bronze medals in 110 categories. Out of over 9,000 entries from more than 2,000 breweries worldwide, six Minnesota craft breweries emerged victorious. Executive director of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, Jess Talley, praised the local breweries for their passion, talent and hard work that led to their success at this renowned competition. She emphasized how these awards underscored the fact that some of the finest beer in the world is crafted by Minnesota’s very own breweries and brewpubs.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co., Northbound Smokehouse and Brewpub, Excelsior Brewing Co., Lupulin Brewing and BeerClub Brewing all took home medals for their exceptional creations. Pryes Brewing Co., also located in Minnesota, won a gold medal for its outstanding beer offerings. Each of these breweries showcased the diverse and innovative craft beer scene thriving in Minnesota.