Brewbound Best of 2023 Awards

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Brewbound revealed its 2023 Award Winners and class of Rising Stars today during the multimedia trade publication’s Brewbound Live business conference in Marina del Rey, California.

The Brewbound Awards celebrate beverage-alcohol companies for their achievements and impact throughout the last year. The Awards serve as an appreciation of notable industry members, trend setters, breakout brands, change agents and up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Winners of the 10th annual Brewbound Awards include:

Craft Brewery of the Year

Lawson’s Finest Liquids

Waitsfield, Vermont-based Lawson’s Finest Liquids achieved several milestones in 2023, including achieving B Corporation Certification and completing 100% solar powered brewing operations with Vermont’s largest solar canopy. Beyond the beer, Lawson’s donated around $40,000 to the Vermont Strong fund, which went to helping flood victims in the state.

Large Brewery of the Year

Athletic Brewing Company

Last year, Athletic became the 13th largest Brewers Association-defined craft brewery by volume. The company was also the second biggest craft growth leader, with five of the top craft growth brands in off-premise retailers, per Circana data. In the on-premise channel, the company began a slow roll out of draft beer this year.

Beyond Beer Company of the Year

BeatBox Beverages

Founded in 2013 by Justin Fenchel, Aimy Steadman and Brad Schultz, party punch maker BeatBox Beverages is just beginning to hit its stride. The Austin, Texas-based company posted triple-digit off-premise growth this year, coming on the heels of more than doubling its sales from 800,000 cases shipped in 2021 to 2 million cases shipped in 2022.

Beer Champions of the Year

The National Black Brewers Association’s Founding Members

The National Black Brewers Association (NB2A) was founded by former Sacramento Mayor, NBA all-star and Oak Park Brewery owner Kevin Johnson to help promote the Black brewing community, as Black-owned breweries account for less than 1% of craft breweries in the U.S. The organization has quickly put a spotlight on Black-owned craft breweries thanks to the work of the organization’s founding members.

Person of the Year

Garrett Marrero, Maui Brewing, Founder & CEO

Maui Brewing founder and CEO Garrett Marrero sprung into action during the August wildfires in Maui that killed nearly 100 people and displaced thousands of others. He and his team helped by running supply missions, collecting vital items for the survivors and getting drinking water to those in need.

Brewbound Rising Stars

In addition to the Award winners, Brewbound also honored seven emerging alcoholic beverage companies as part of its 2023 class of Rising Stars.

Alvarado Street Brewery, Monterey, California

Big Grove Brewery, Iowa City, Iowa

Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., Inglewood, California

Dokkaebier, Oakland, California

Stateside Vodka, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Torch & Crown Brewing Company, New York City

Trace Brewing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania