San Diego breweries win 13 medals at Great American Beer Festival

San Diego breweries secured 13 medals at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado, including a ‘Best Brewery’ distinction. The event, organized by the Brewers Association, is considered one of the most prestigious professional brewing competitions in the United States.

The 2026 festival featured 7,267 entries across more than 100 style categories from 1,300 American breweries and cideries. Due to declining attendance, the multi-day event was reduced from three days to two and relocated from the Colorado Convention Center to the Levitt Pavilion in Denver’s Ruby Hill neighborhood. A panel of 225 certified judges evaluated the entries.