SCOTTSDALE, AZ, August 13, 2025 – Pinnacle Brewing Company is pleased to announce that Novo 11° Czech Dark Lager was named “USA Beer of the Year” yesterday at the USA Beer Ratings Competition held in San Francisco, California in the Czech Lager category.
The USA Beer Ratings Awards are judged based on Quality, Value, and Packaging by a panel of industry experts who blind taste the competitors, then consider the packaging separately. The objective is to determine which beers have the highest customer appeal. The judge’s tasting notes for Novo 11° are “Dark golden brown with a sweet nutty aroma, this brew reveals layered notes of toasted barley, oat, and coffee that finish clean and pleasantly complex.”
Novo 11° is one of five Pinnacle Brewing Company beers to achieve a Gold Medal at this year’s competition. The other four are:
- Surveillance Pigeon – Cold Double IPA
- Springtoberfest – Maibock
- Druid, Where’s My Car? – English Extra Stout
- Tori – Japanese Rice Lager
“Pinnacle Brewing is committed to producing classic, true-to-style beers with a contemporary twist based on my experiences in Europe.” said Brewmaster Wyatt Wilson, “I have a special love for Czech lagers, as I think that they are the best beers on the planet. So Novo 11° getting this kind of recognition is especially rewarding.”
Pinnacle Brewing Company is a family-owned business, led by Brewmaster Wyatt Wilson. Their motto, “Beer Reinspired” pays homage to regional traditions while giving license to new interpretations of classic styles.
Instagram: @pinnaclebeer
Facebook: @pinnaclebrewing
For More Information:
Learn More
Stay Informed. Stay Competitive.
Become an Insider to unlock exclusive reporting, data, education, and industry exposure for beer & brewery leaders.
Industry Analysis
Context behind the headlines
Data & Reports
Category performance & trends
On-Demand Education
Expert-led video courses