3 Portland breweries medal at the Great American Beer Festival
Maine Breweries Take Home Medals at National Beer Festival
In a showcase of regional brewing talent, three Portland‑based breweries earned medals at this year’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado. The event, which attracted more than 7,200 entries from 1,300 breweries across the United States, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., saw 243 craft producers receive recognition for their products.
Orange Bike Brewing claims two medals
Orange Bike Brewing Company, located on Diamond Street in Portland, secured a gold and a silver. Its Pumpkin Ale earned the gold in the Specialty Gluten‑Free Beer category, while the Oktoberfest beer captured silver in the Classic Gluten‑Free Ale or Lager division. Founder and CEO Tom Ruff celebrated the achievement in a news release, saying, “This one’s for our brewers, starting with our head brewer, Jason Kissinger… It’s also for our growers and partners, the state of Maine and the Maine Venture Fund, our Mug Club members and community investors, and every gluten‑free guest who has walked through our doors and finally felt like they could order anything on the menu.”
Allagash Brewing’s flagship wins gold
Allagash Brewing Company’s flagship Allagash White earned a gold medal in the Belgian‑Style Witbier category. The beer, already a staple of Portland’s craft scene, was also selected as one of the five “Landmark Craft Beers” honored during the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame’s second annual induction ceremony in August.
Bissell Brothers adds a bronze
Bissell Brothers Brewing Company’s Precept received a bronze in the American Pilsner category, adding to the trio’s growing list of accolades.
A competitive field
Judges evaluated 7,267 submissions of beer, cider and hop water, representing 49 states and two U.S. territories. The GABF, organized by the Brewers Association, is one of the country’s most respected competitions, and the Portland breweries’ medals underscore Maine’s thriving craft brewing scene.
With gold, silver and bronze honors, the three Portland breweries demonstrate that high‑quality, innovative brews are thriving beyond the state’s borders, and they bring a taste of Maine to beer lovers across the country.
