Western North Carolina breweries earned 5 medals at the 2025 World Beer Cup award ceremony, held on May 1st at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis during the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America. 

 Hosted by the Brewers Association, the World Beer Cup is considered one of the most prestigious beer and cider competitions globally. This year’s event saw 8,375 entries from 1,761 breweries across 49 countries, judged over 14 sessions by an international panel of 265 experts.  

Western North Carolina’s 2025 World Beer Cup winners include:

• Gold – Chocolate Porter, Diatribe Brewing Co. – Asheville (Chocolate Beer)
• Gold – Daycation Gold, Highland Brewing Co. – Asheville (German-Style Koelsch)
• Silver – Hi-Wire Lager, Hi-Wire Brewing – Asheville (International-Style Pilsener)
• Silver – Forest Hills, Olde Hickory Brewery – Hickory (Old Ale or Strong Ale)
• Gold – Weizenbock, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Mills River (South German-Style Weizenbock)

Earlier in the week, also in Indianapolis, the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild accepted the 2025 Brewers Association Recognition Award on behalf of the NC Beer Community, acknowledging the state’s independent craft beer industry’s extraordinary collective response to Hurricane Helene. The award, which was created to recognize, “an individual, company, or group whose inspiration, enthusiasm, and support have contributed to the craft brewing movement” is presented annually by the Brewers Association, the national organization that serves to, “promote and protect American craft brewers”, and represents nearly 6,500 professional members nationwide.

When Hurricane Helene devastated the region in September 2024 - leaving communities without water, power, and safe shelter - the small and independent breweries throughout North Carolina mobilized without hesitation. Taprooms were transformed into supply hubs, delivery trucks became aid vehicles, and breweries stepped into roles far beyond their usual duties. Statewide, the response was immediate and deeply human. 

“We are humbled by this recognition, which we accept on behalf of the hundreds of North Carolina breweries who embody the true spirit of neighborly love,” said Lisa Parker, Executive Director of the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild. “In the middle of unimaginable loss, our breweries did what they always do, support their communities. Their actions aren’t just acts of generosity, they are declarations of unity and resilience.”

Through the Pouring for Neighbors campaign, led by the Guild and supported by brewery and retail partners nationwide, over $250,000 has been raised for the recovery and rebuilding of Western North Carolina. Funding now continues to be directed to the newly formed NC Craft Brewers Foundation, which has distributed $152,000 in grants, ensuring breweries can rebuild and continue serving their communities.

Source: North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild.