The Brewers Association announced the winners of the 2016 World Beer Cup today at the conclusion of the annual Craft Brewers Conference, held this year in Philadelphia, PA.  Montana’s Philipsburg Brewing Co. won the silver medal in the American-Style Wheat Beer With Yeast category for its Haybag American Hefeweizen.

Photo Credit: Philipsburg Brewing Co.

Billed as the most prestigious beer competition in the world and held every two years, the 2016 World Beer Cup had 6,596 beers entered by 1,907 breweries representing 55 countries, according to a press release issued by the Brewers Association. In other words, its a big deal for the team from Philipsburg.

Entries were judged by an international panel of 253 judges from 31 countries who awarded 287 out of 288 total possible awards, (gold, silver and bronze in each of 96 beer style categories). The judges did not present a gold medal in the Fresh or Wet Hop Ale category.

“Brewing has no boundaries or borders,” said Charlie Papazian, founder, Brewers Association. “The World Beer Cup recognizes the very best in the global community of brewers—their innovation, creativity and the craft of beer and brewing.”

According to the Brewers Association:

• The average number of beers entered per category was 69, up from 50 in 2014—a marker of the 2016 World Beer Cup’s high level of competitiveness.
• The category with the most entries was American-Style India Pale Ale with 275 entries.
• The second most-entered category was Imperial India Pale Ale with 181 entries.
• The third most-entered category was American-Style Pale Ale with 167 entries.

The 287 awards were won by 253 breweries, with few breweries earning more than one award.

• 225 breweries won one award.
• 22 breweries won two awards.
• 6 breweries won three awards.

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