By Dathan Kazsuk | .
The 2025 North Carolina Brewers Cup wasn’t just another beer competition—it was a full-on tidal wave of North Carolina craft pride, crashing down with a record-breaking 935 entries from 123 breweries across the state. That’s right, 935 beers lined up to see who would take home gold, silver, or bronze, making this year’s showdown the largest commercial beer competition in the entire South.
Over two days in late August, judges gathered at White Labs Brewing Co. in Asheville and Raleigh Brewing here in the capital city to sip, sniff, and score every single brew—completely blind, no labels, no bias. The competition followed the same stringent guidelines used at the Great American Beer Festival, covering 36 different style-based categories. One of the most talked-about categories was the uniquely North Carolina “Homegrown” division, where at least 55% of the ingredients had to come from right here in the state. If you’re looking for local pride poured into a pint glass, this was it.
Pulling off an event this big isn’t easy, but the NC Craft Brewers Guild made it happen, backed by an army of certified judges from across the Southeast and support from heavy hitters like Pro Refrigeration, Tryon Distributing, Lowes Foods, and G&A Partners.
And while there were winners from every corner of the state, a handful of breweries stood out by striking gold. Lost Province Brewing Co. in Boone snagged the top spot in the English Porter and Brown Ales category with their Black Cat porter, proving that mountain beer can still bring the heat—or, in this case, the malt.
Green Man Brewery, an Asheville staple, earned gold with its own Green Man Porter in the American Porter, Amber, and Brown Ales category. Hendersonville showed up strong too, with Oklawaha Brewing Company winning with Dead West in the American Pale Ale category and Guidon Brewing Co. bringing home gold for their crisp and clean Guidon Kölsch.
Asheville’s Diatribe Brewing Co. took home the smoke crown with its perfectly executed Rauchbier, while Mountain Layers Brewing Company in Bryson City turned back time and won the Historic Beer category with Smoke Over Lublin.
That’s seven gold medals spread across the state—seven reasons to raise a glass. These wins don’t just reflect the skill of individual breweries; they showcase the depth and diversity of North Carolina’s beer scene. From smoky European styles to hyperlocal creations, it’s clear our state can go pint-for-pint with anyone.
As for which brewery claimed the most medals overall, we’ll have to wait until November 18, when the NC Craft Brewers Conference hosts the North Carolina Beer Industry Awards Banquet. That’s where the full breakdown of who dominated the competition will finally be revealed. Until then, the speculation will flow just as freely as the beer itself. Hopefully, I’ll get the invite. Wink, wink.
Here in the Triangle, the real fun begins as we tally up which local breweries grabbed hardware and how they’re shaping the region’s reputation. Whether it’s a hop-forward IPA brewed in Durham, a robust porter crafted in Raleigh, or a tart farmhouse ale out of Chapel Hill, the Triangle continues to prove it’s one of the top beer hubs in the state.
So, here’s to another year of North Carolina beer history in the making. With 935 beers battling it out and seven striking gold, this year’s Brewers Cup wasn’t just a competition—it was a celebration of craft, community, and the kind of dedication that keeps our pint glasses full and our taste buds happy.
Cheers to all who brewed, judged, and toasted along the way.
Clouds Brewing – Baklava Blond (Specialty Beer)
Compass Rose Brewery – Scott’s View (Scottish & Irish Beer)
Compass Rose Brewery – Tidal Break (American-Style IPA)
Edit Beer Co. – Illusion of Truth (Juicy/Hazy Pale Ale)
Eno River Brewing – Second Pick (Sour Fruit or Field Beer)
Fullsteam Brewery – Cricket Hill (British Pale & Bitter Ale)
Hatchet Brewing Co. – ’Merican (American-Style Sour Ale)
Ponysaurus Brewing Co. – Gosé (European Sour Ale)
Atomic Clock Brewing Co. – Time’s Arrow (NC Home Grown)
Compass Rose Brewery – Scott’s View (Scottish & Irish Beer)
Eno River Brewing – Blue Tape Special 2024: Point of Origin (Stouts)
Fullsteam Brewery – Southern Basil (Field & Special Beers)
Hatchet Brewing Co. – Manguava Sour Ale (Sour Fruit or Field Beer)
Sneaky Penguin Brewing Company – Midnight Waddle (Dark European Lager)
Trophy Brewing Co. – Foam Party (Pilsner Style & Hoppy Lager)
Edit Beer Co. – Season 34 (Session IPA)
Ponysaurus Brewing Co. – Reserve Ale (Belgian Strong Ale/Monastic Ale)
Tarboro Brewing Company – Sexy Canoe (Pale European & International Lager)
Clouds Brewing – Rain Czech (Dark European Lager)
BMC Brewing – East Meets West Lager (Smoke Beer)
Oaklyn Springs Brewery – Wandering Waves (Pilsner Style & Hoppy Lager)
Tobacco Wood Brewing – Subject to Change: Blueberry Raspberry
Cheesecake Sour (Sour Fruit or Field Beer)
Atomic Clock Brewing Co. – Grandfather Paradox (NC Home Grown)
