3 MD Breweries Medal At Great American Beer Festival

MARYLAND — Three Maryland breweries won medals this past weekend at the Great American Beer Festival that wrapped up Saturday in Denver.

The festival is the nation’s largest for professional brewers and hands out some of the industry’s most sought-after accolades. The festival ran over nine days, with 250 beer experts from 10 countries serving as judges.

Judges evaluated nearly 9,445 entries from 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, including collaborations between professional breweries and pro-am collaborations from professionals and amateurs. Among those, 303 medals were awarded to 263 breweries across 99 categories and 175 beer styles. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded.

In Maryland:

• Gold Medal winner: Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Atom Smasher beer, Rock Bottom Brewery, 7900 Norfolk Ave. in Bethesda, Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer
• Silver Medal winners: Milk Stout beer, Waredaca Brewing Co.-Gaithersburg, 4017 Damascus Road in Laytonsville, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout; and Oktoberfest beer, Silver Branch Brewing Co., 8401 Colesville Road, No. 150 in Silver Spring, Vienna-Style Lager