According to the Brewers Association, the top six states with the most medals awarded at the 2023 Great American Beer Festival were:
- California (73)
- Colorado (36)
- Oregon (23)
- Texas (19)
- Ohio (18)
- Washington (14)
These states are all home to a large number of breweries, and they consistently produce high-quality beers. However, it’s worth noting that California, Texas, and Ohio are among the most populous states in the country, so it’s not surprising that they would win a lot of medals.
If we look at the number of people in the state per medal awarded, the top six states are:
- Colorado
- Oregon
- Montana
- Delaware
- California
- Wyoming
Colorado, Oregon, and California make this list as well, establishing themselves as brewing leaders regardless of their populations. Montana is represented by Outlaw Brewing in Bozeman and Lewis & Clark in Helena with two medals each. Deleware’s three medals were awarded to Autumn Arch Beer Project and Musings Fermentation Underground in Newark, and Thompson Island in Rehoboth Beach. Both medals in the small state of Wyoming were won by Black Tooth Brewing in Sheridan.
It’s also worth noting that some states over-performed based on the number of breweries they have:
- Utah (11 breweries per medal)
- Colorado (12.2 breweries per medal)
- Delaware (12.3 breweries per medal)
- California (13.3 breweries per medal)
- Oregon (13.8 breweries per medal)
- Washington DC (16 breweries per medal)
- Louisiana (16 breweries per medal)
Colorado, California, and Oregon show up once again. Utah had medals from Uinta, Templin Family Helles, and Steamy Wonder in Salt Lake City, and Black Hill in Saint George. Washington DC had a bronze from Atlas Brew Works. Louisiana was represented by Parish in Broussard, Agile in Baton Rouge, and Brieux Carré in New Orleans.