Cape May Brewing Co. Awarded Bronze Medal Win at 2023 Great American Beer Festival

Cape May Brewing Co. in Cape May, New Jersey, a leading player in the craft beer scene, has once again been recognized for its brewing excellence. The renowned brewery clinched a prestigious bronze medal at the esteemed 2023 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), an event meticulously organized and presented by the Brewers Association®.

The accolade was bestowed upon Cape May Brewing Company in the highly competitive Vienna-Style Lager category, showcasing their exceptional brew, Oktoberfest. This amber-style lager boasts a smooth and clean profile, achieved through a meticulous fifty-degree fermentation process, allowing it to mellow to perfection during the lagering phase. Oktoberfest strikes a harmonious balance, with a subtle hop presence, focusing on a grain bill featuring Vienna, Munich, Caramunich, Pilsen, and Melanoidin malts.

“This bronze award for our Oktoberfest beer is a great honor,” says Cape May Brewing Company Co-Founder Bob Krill. “Considering the enormous amount of competition in the craft brewing industry, this is a huge win for CMBC and NJ craft beer.”

This isn't the first time Cape May Brewing Company has garnered acclaim at the GABF. Their seasonal offering, Honey Porter, secured a bronze medal in the Brown Porter category during the 2019 Great American Beer Festival Competition, marking a testament to their consistent brewing prowess.

"Wow, how exciting for our production team here at Cape May Brewing Co.!” says Brandon Greenwood, Chief Brewing Officer & Brewmaster. “We strive every single day to make world class beer and it's so nice to receive recognition of this endeavor at such a prestigious event as the Great American Beer Festival.”

The GABF is celebrated globally for its role in acknowledging and honoring brewing excellence. Medals awarded during this competition are highly sought after within the brewing community, symbolizing the epitome of brewing skill and artistry. The 2023 edition featured an extensive array of top-tier brews vying for honors in 99 beer categories encompassing 175 different beer styles and subcategories. A distinguished panel of judges, totaling 250 professionals from across the world, meticulously evaluated the entries. The results were unveiled during an intimate ceremony held at the Bellco Theatre in Denver on Saturday, September 23, 2023, as part of the Great American Beer Festival. This event was made accessible to a global audience through a live stream via The Brewing Network, magnifying the celebration of brewing excellence.

The success of the Great American Beer Festival is made possible by the tireless efforts of a Professional Judge Panel comprising 250 judges from various corners of the world, along with the contributions of over 300 dedicated volunteers. Over a span of three phases across nine days, a staggering 9,200+ entries were evaluated, representing 2,033 breweries hailing from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Cape May Brewing Company's achievement at the 2023 GABF stands as a testament to their commitment to brewing excellence and innovation in the craft beer landscape.

"The Great American Beer Festival competition serves as a platform for the finest brews from around the world to undergo rigorous scrutiny to earn the title of ‘the best of the best,’” remarked Chris Williams, competition director of the Great American Beer Festival. "The beer community's unwavering commitment to pushing the frontiers of innovation and quality is truly commendable. The Brewers Association takes great pride in recognizing the achievements of this year's victors."