2025 Brewers Cup Of California Announces State's Best Beers

Sacramento, CALIF. – April 25, 2025 – The 2025 Brewers Cup of California, a competition organized by the Sacramento Area Brewers Guild with support from several of the state’s brewers guilds and sponsor Craftmaster Stainless, announced the state’s best beers in an awards ceremony on April 25, 2025 at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, California. 

The competition received 1,360 entries from 203 independent craft breweries across California, the most entries the competition has received to-date. A panel of more than 60 qualified judges awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold to the top three beers in 64 style categories.

“We were thrilled to see a record-breaking number of beers entered this year, making this our largest competition yet,” said David Weiss, President of the Sacramento Area Brewers Guild and Head Brewer of Blue Note Brewing. “Providing a platform to recognize the hard work, innovation, and passion of California's independent craft brewers is paramount, and we're proud that this competition continues to grow in significance within the industry.” 

The Guild of the Year award, a title given to the brewers guild whose membership collectively medaled highest in the competition, was awarded to the Los Angeles County Brewers Guild.

Admiral Maltings awarded Best in Show to Geisthaus Brewing Company from Sacramento, California for “Progenitor,” a Kellerbier. 

Berkeley Yeast presented Morgan Territory Brewing from Tracy, California with the Brewery of the Year Award. Morgan Territory also received the Brewery of the Year title in 2023.

The competition posthumously recognized Dr. Patrick Ting, PhD as its 2025 Craft Beer Pioneer. The award recognizes the individuals who have helped shape and propel California’s craft beer industry. Dr. Ting was a renowned hop scientist for Miller Coors where he developed the Citra hop, which has become a cornerstone of modern craft beer.

Winners of the most-entered style categories include:

• Hazy India Pale Ale
• Gold: Eureka Brewing Company – “Just a Phaze”
• Silver: Ambitious Ales – “Professional Human Being”
• Bronze: TapRoom Brewing Company – “North Park Haze
  
  
• American IPAs 
• Gold: Topa Topa Brewing Co. - “We Love L.A.”
• Silver: Trademark Brewing - “Codebreaker”
• Bronze: Auburn Alehouse - “Cross Rut IPA”

The Brewers Cup of California is organized by the Sacramento Area Brewers Guild with support from the Bay Area, Central Coast, Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Diego brewers guilds.

The Brewers Cup of California would like to thank its sponsors Craftmaster Stainless, Admiral Maltings, and Berkeley Yeast for their support. This event would not have been possible without the support of Brewers Cup staff, judges, stewards and countless volunteers.

The full list of winners is available on the Brewers Cup of California website. 

###

About the Brewers Cup of California  

The Brewers Cup of California was established in 2019, by the Sacramento Area Brewers Guild with support from other California brewers guilds. The competition was held in 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024 and most recently in 2025.