Brooklyn Brewery Shines at New York State Craft Beer Competition
The 2024 New York State Craft Beer Competition was a thrilling event, especially for Grimm Artisanal Ales, the Brooklyn brewery that clinched the title of Best New York Brewery. This marks the third time in four years that Grimm Artisanal Ales has been honored as the top beer company in New York state. Judging took place in Rochester, and awards were presented in Albany.
Competition Highlights Featuring Grimm Artisanal Ales
This year’s competition saw a record-breaking 1,421 beer entries from 232 breweries across the state. With over 500 breweries in New York, the event showcased the increasing quality and variety of craft beers. Grimm Artisanal Ales stood out by winning multiple medals:
- Three Gold Medals
- One Silver Medal
- One Bronze Medal
Governor’s Cup: Love Is Overtaking Me
The Governor’s Cup for the best beer of 2024 was awarded to “Love Is Overtaking Me,” a Barrel Aged Sour crafted by Kingston Standard Brewing Co. in the Hudson Valley. This exceptional brew is available through the NYS Craft Beer & Chocolate Box Winter Survival Kit.
New York State Farm Brewery Excellence
One notable category at the competition was the New York State Farm Brewery. The winner, Coconut Cluster, is an Imperial Stout made by Heritage Hill Brewhouse in Onondaga County. This beer, which boasts an 8.9% alcohol content, features unique ingredients like coconut cream, Tahitian vanilla beans, and Mexican cocoa nibs, all coupled with New York-produced malt and hops.
Collaboration Beer Award
Another interesting highlight includes the best collaboration beer award, which went to BreakingBird, a Wild & Sour Ale created by Strangebird Beer of Rochester and Breakside Brewery of Portland, Oregon.
Medal-Winning Breweries
Several other breweries from Central New York also took home medals, including ONCO Fermentations, Underground Beer Lab, Talking Cursive, Prison City, Shep’s, and Lunkenheimer.
Variety of Winning Categories
The competition introduced new categories like Cream Ales and Dark Lagers, creating a platform for an even wider variety of beers to be recognized. For example, the Light Lagers (Traditional) category had a noteworthy list of winners:
| Rank | Beer | Brewery |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Eleven | Strong Rope Brewery |
| Silver | Bezucha Brothers | West Kill Brewing |
| Bronze | Brook & Reed | Drowned Lands |
Paul Leone, the executive director of the New York State Brewers Association, expressed his excitement about the quality of beer being produced, noting that the competition continues to bring out the best in New York’s breweries, both old and new.
Growing Craft Beer Industry
With more than 500 breweries throughout New York, the state has become a hub for craft beer enthusiasts. This competition, the largest state-level beer competition, underscores the state’s thriving beer culture and commitment to excellence.
If you’re passionate about craft beer, make sure to explore the vast selection of award-winning beers and support these amazing breweries. Whether it’s a Brooklyn brewery like Grimm Artisanal Ales or a gem like Heritage Hill Brewhouse, there’s always something new to discover in New York’s ever-growing beer scene.
