The 2023 Ohio Craft Brewer’s Cup took place in Dayton over the weekend, and Cincinnati-area breweries were once again big winners at the competition. The 2023 Ohio Craft Brewer’s Cup featured more than 400 entries from 67 breweries across the Buckeye State.
MadTree took home the award for best large brewery, featuring breweries that produce over 15,000 barrels per year. It’s the sixth straight Best Large Brewery award for MadTree – they’ve won every year since 2018. Phantom Forest won gold in the Imperial IPA category. The beer has now won four medals at the Ohio Craft Brewer’s Cup, but this is the first gold. It also won a silver at the US Open in 2020.
Third Eye won best Southwest Ohio brewery, on the strength of four medals – a gold, two silvers, and a bronze. They’ve won Best Southwest Brewery four straight times – every year they’ve been in existence. After winning bronze last year, Higher Purpose won gold in the Stout category. The beer now has eight total medals – one at GABF and World Beer Cup, four at US Open, and two at Ohio Craft Brewer’s Cup.
Third Eye also won Brewery of the Year at Great American Beer Festival last month after winning four medals.
Narrow Path won three medals, including two for sour beers: Oud Bruin won gold for Sour Beer, and POG Kettle Sour won a bronze for Sour/Wild Beer with Fruit. Their Restless Seas won a medal for the second straight year, and it also took home a silver at GABF earlier this year.
Streetside took home a a gold and two bronze. Black Cats won gold for Brown/Dark Ale, Suh, Brah? won bronze for New England/Hazy Pale Ale, and Tiki Time won a bronze for Wood/Barrel Aged Beer under 8%. Black Cats also won a silver medal at the World Beer Cup earlier this year.
Middletown’s NEW Ales Brewing also won a bronze medal in the Herb/Pepper/Spice Beer category for their pumpkin beer, OMG Becky Look At That Pumpkin.
In all, five Southwest Ohio breweries won a total of 13 medals, including three gold. Best in Show went to Matrimony Ale, a cream ale from Blue Heron. A full list of Southwest Ohio area winners is below:
MadTree Brewing Company
Best Large Brewery (15,000+ Barrels)
Phantom Forest (Imperial IPA) – Gold Medal
Legendary Lager (American Lager) – Bronze Medal
Narrow Path Brewing Company
Oud Bruin (Sour/Wild Beer) – Gold Medal
Restless Seas (German Style Ale) – Bronze Medal
POG Kettle Sour (Sour/Wild with Fruit) – Bronze Medal
NEW Ales Brewing
OMG Becky Look At That Pumpkin (Herb/Spice/Pepper Beer) – Bronze Medal
Streetside Brewery
Black Cats (Brown/Dark Ale) – Gold Medal
Suh, Brah? (New England/Hazy Pale Ale) – Bronze Medal
Tiki Time (Wood/Barrel Aged Beer under 8%) – Bronze Medal
Third Eye Brewing Company
Best Southwest Brewery
Higher Purpose (Stout) – Gold Medal
Inner Sight (Brown/Dark Ale) – Silver Medal
Untapped Potential (German Style Ale) – Silver Medal
Kelly’s Private Stash (Wood/Barrel Aged Beer over 8%) – Bronze Medal