Asheville, NC, September 4, 2025
News Summary
Local breweries in North Carolina have achieved success at the 2025 North Carolina Brewers Cup, with several beers securing prestigious gold medals. The competition highlighted the state’s vibrant craft brewing scene, including a category dedicated to locally sourced ingredients. The announcement for Brewery of the Year is set for November, adding to the excitement of the NC Craft Brewers Conference. Additionally, North Carolina breweries excelled internationally at the World Beer Cup, reinforcing the state’s reputation in the craft beer industry.
Asheville, NC – Local breweries in North Carolina have achieved remarkable success at the recently concluded 2025 North Carolina Brewers Cup, where several beers secured prestigious gold medals. This year’s competition, hosted by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild, marked its 14th year and showcased the best of the state’s craft brewing scene.
The event took place simultaneously on August 23-24, with judging occurring at White Labs in Asheville and Raleigh Brewing Company in Raleigh. A total of 36 style-based beer categories were evaluated, including a notable category entitled NC Homegrown, which mandates that at least 55% of the beer’s dry weight be sourced from North Carolina ingredients.
While the full list of gold-medal winners has yet to be released, numerous breweries from Western North Carolina have been recognized for their outstanding contributions, showcasing the quality and diversity of local craft beers. Additionally, the award for the coveted North Carolina Brewery of the Year will be presented based on aggregate points from the competition. This trophy has been held in Charlotte for the last two years, with Divine Barrel claiming it in 2024 and Pilot Brewing in 2023.
The announcement of the Brewery of the Year will occur during the North Carolina Beer Industry Awards Banquet on November 18, part of the upcoming NC Craft Brewers Conference. This celebration will not only highlight the achievements of local breweries but also reinforce North Carolina’s reputation as a hub for craft beer enthusiasts.
Moreover, North Carolina breweries have demonstrated exceptional performance on a global scale at the 2025 World Beer Cup, where they collectively won 11 medals. As one of the most prestigious beer and cider competitions worldwide, the World Beer Cup featured over 8,000 entries from more than 1,700 breweries across 49 countries. Judging was conducted by an international panel of 265 experts over a period of 14 sessions, underscoring the competition’s rigor and prestige.
The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild also received recognition this year, being awarded the Brewers Association Recognition Award for the local beer community’s cooperative response to Hurricane Helene. This acknowledgment celebrates the solidarity within the state’s brewing community during difficult times.
With over 400 independent craft breweries and brewpubs currently operating in North Carolina, the state continues to be a significant player in the craft beer industry. The collaborative efforts of local breweries not only elevate the standard of craft beer but also contribute positively to the state’s culture and economy.
For those interested in staying updated on the state’s craft brewing community, more information is available at drinkncbeer.org.
FAQ
What is the North Carolina Brewers Cup?
The North Carolina Brewers Cup is an annual competition hosted by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild that awards local breweries for excellence in brewing across various categories.
When did the 2025 competition take place?
The competition took place on August 23-24, 2025.
What is the significance of the NC Homegrown category?
The NC Homegrown category requires that at least 55% of the beer’s dry weight is sourced from North Carolina ingredients, emphasizing the use of local resources.
When will the Brewery of the Year be announced?
The award for Brewery of the Year will be revealed at the North Carolina Beer Industry Awards Banquet on November 18, 2025.
How did North Carolina breweries perform at the World Beer Cup?
North Carolina breweries excelled at the 2025 World Beer Cup, winning a total of 11 medals.
How many craft breweries are there in North Carolina?
North Carolina is home to over 400 independent craft breweries and brewpubs, making it a vibrant hub for craft beer.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Oscar P. Wong, Pioneer of Asheville Craft Beer, Passes Away
North Carolina Breweries Shine at World Beer Cup
Additional Resources
- WLOS: Local Breweries Earn Top Honors at 2025 North Carolina Brewers Cup
- WRAL: North Carolina Breweries Win 11 Medals at 2025 World Beer Cup
- Statesman Journal: Portland, Oregon Best Beer Scene in US
- WNC Magazine: Breweries Win Big
- Wikipedia: Craft Beer
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
