KEY DATES
JUDGE APPLICATION
Oct 1 – Dec 2
BEER REGISTRATION
Oct 15 – Dec 3
AMBASSADOR OF CRAFT NOMINATIONS
Oct 3 – Dec 12
BEER DROP-OFF
TBD – Early January
BEER JUDGING
Jan 9th – Jan 11th
AWARDS CEREMONY
Jan 23, 2026
THE COLORADO BREWERS CUP IS BACK ON JAN. 23, 2026!
The Colorado Brewers Cup is the only professional beer competition run and organized by the Colorado Brewers Guild. This annual event showcases the exceptional quality of craft beer in Colorado and celebrates the amazing brewing community that surrounds us! The awards ceremony will be held on Jan. 23, 2026, the final day of the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit, at the Hyatt Regency in Aurora, CO.
The Colorado Brewers Cup is the only professional beer competition run and organized by the Colorado Brewers Guild. This annual event showcases the exceptional quality of craft beer in Colorado and celebrates the amazing brewing community that surrounds us!
The awards ceremony will be held on the final day of the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit, on January 23rd, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency in Aurora, CO.
The Colorado Brewers Cup is only open to operating breweries in Colorado that are members of the Colorado Brewers Guild.
Please read the Competition Rules document, it will answer all of your burning questions about the competition!
Beer Registration FAQ:
- Each brewery may enter up to fourteen (14) beers in the competition
- Registration cost is $55 per beer entry
- Registration closes December 3, 2025
- Each beer category will award a gold, silver, and bronze medal
- You can make changes to your entries by logging into your BAP account that you registered your beers under. No changes are allowed after December 3rd.
The Colorado Brewers Cup awards ceremony will take place alongside the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit, with the awards ceremony wrapping things up on Friday, January 23rd. If you’re attending the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit and your brewery enters the competition, you’ll snag a free ticket to the awards ceremony!
COLORADO CRAFT BREWERS SUMMIT | CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW
Jan. 22-23, 2026 at the Hyatt Regency in Aurora, Colorado. Registration for the Summit opens Oct. 15th.
BREWERS CUP AWARDS CEREMONY
Evening of Friday Jan. 23, 2026.
Any Colorado craft brewery that registers for the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit and participates in the competition will get tickets to the awards ceremony. Exhibitors and partners of the Colorado Craft Brewers Summit will have the opportunity to purchase tickets for a nominal fee. If space permits, we will be selling additional tickets.
Each beer judge will receive one complimentary ticket to the awards ceremony.
Are you interested in judging? Click here learn more about being a judge and how to apply. Judging applications are open October 1st – Dec 2.
All judging opportunities will be in January.
Interested in showcasing your business to participants? Get involved with the Colorado Brewers Cup through a variety of packages or with a customized partnership! The competition sponsorship options are available as standalone opportunities or add-ons to our Colorado Craft Brewers Summit.
2026 AMBASSADOR OF CRAFT AWARD
We are proud to announce that the winners of the Ambassador of Craft award goes to the founding members of the Colorado Brewers Guild. Founded in 1995, the Guild was brought to life by a passionate group of brewery professionals from around Colorado. Please give a sincere thank you to the founders next time you see them out in the wild!
Mike Bristol of Bristol Brewing
Jeff Brown of Boulder Beer
Tara Dunn of Great Divide Brewing
Jeff Mendel of Tabernash and Left Hand Brewing
Doug Odell of Odell Brewing
Mark Youngquist of Rock Bottom / Walnut Brewing / Boulder Beer, now of Dolores River Brewing
We’re excited to announce that the nomination form for the prestigious Ambassador of Craft award is opening October 3 – December 12, 2025. Nomination link coming soon. As part of the Colorado Brewers Cup, we want to recognize someone who has shown incredible dedication to the Colorado craft brewing community.
We’re looking for individuals who exemplify leadership in Colorado’s craft beer scene—whether that’s a pioneering brewer, or a passionate industry or community member. Keep in mind, nominees don’t have to be Guild members, but Guild affiliation will be taken into consideration during the review process.
For example, think of someone who goes above and beyond their daily responsibilities by actively promoting education and raising awareness about craft beer in Colorado. When you nominate someone, please be specific about why they deserve this honor. So, put your thinking caps on and send in those nominations! Nominations close on Friday, December 12th.
SMALL BREWERY OF THE YEAR
Carver Brewing
Durango, Colorado
MID-SIZED BREWERY OF THE YEAR
River North Brewery
Denver, Colorado
| Category | Medal | Beer Name | Brewery | City | Subcategory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American & International Pale Lagers |  | Venga | Cerveceria Colorado | Denver | Australasian, Latin American or Tropical-Style Light Lager |
| American & International Pale Lagers |  | Landing Gear Pils | Westbound & Down Brewing Co. | Idaho Springs | International-Style Pilsener |
| American & International Pale Lagers |  | Cityscapes | Ratio Beerworks | Denver | International Pale Lager |
| Pale Bitter European Lagers | | Classic Pilsner | New Image Brewing Co. | Wheat Ridge | German Pils |
| Pale Bitter European Lagers | | Dortmunder | Hideaway Park Brewery | Winter Park | German Helles Exportbier |
| Pale Bitter European Lagers | | Seedstock German Pilsner | Seedstock Brewing Co. | Denver | German Pils |
| Hoppy Pale American & International Lagers | | Publik Skool Pilsner | Hideaway Park Brewery | Winter Park | Contemporary American-Style Pilsener |
| Hoppy Pale American & International Lagers | | Infinity Pils | Westbound & Down Brewing Co. | Idaho Springs | Other Hoppy Lager |
| Hoppy Pale American & International Lagers | | Pillieve | WestFax Brewing Co. | Lakewood | Italian-Style Pilsener |
| Golden, Blonde, & Other Light Ales | | The Coloradan | Westbound & Down Mill | Lafayette | Cream Ale |
| Golden, Blonde, & Other Light Ales | | Beehive Honey Wheat | Bristol Brewing Co. | Colorado Springs | American Wheat Beer |
| Golden, Blonde, & Other Light Ales | | Tuba Cheer | LUKI Brewery | Arvada | British Golden Ale |
| Kölsch | | Rise and Climb | New Terrain Brewing Co. | Golden | Kölsch |
| Kölsch | | Kölsch | Liquid Mechanics Brewing | Lafayette | Kölsch |
| Kölsch | | Ice Cutter Kölsch | Joyride Brewing Co. | Edgewater | Kölsch |
| Pale Malty European Lagers | | The Boss | Fritz Family Brewers | Niwot | Munich Helles |
| Pale Malty European Lagers | | Lightner Creek Lager | Carver Brewing Co. | Durango | German Leichtbier |
| Pale Malty European Lagers | | Front Porch | Resolute Brewing Co. | Centennial | Munich Helles |
| Amber Lagers | | ERB Octoberfest | Eagle River Brewing | Eagle | Märzen |
| Amber Lagers | | Free Stone Lager | Eagle River Brewing | Eagle | Vienna Lager |
| Amber Lagers | | Seedstock Bohemian Dunkel | Seedstock Brewing Co. | Denver | Czech Amber Lager |
| Dark Lagers | | Moondoor Dunkel | Wibby Brewing | Longmont | Munich Dunkel |
| Dark Lagers | | Seedstock Roggen Schwarzbier | Seedstock Brewing Co. | Denver | Schwarzbier |
| Dark Lagers | | Niwot After Dark | Fritz Family Brewers | Niwot | Munich Dunkel |
| Fruit & Field Beers | | Coconut Oil Man | Elevation Beer Co. | Poncha Springs | Field Beer |
| Fruit & Field Beers | | Cherry Kriek | Strange Brewing Co. | Denver | Fruit Beer |
| Fruit & Field Beers | | Harvest Saison | Avant Garde Aleworks | Estes Park | Pumpkin/Squash Beer |
| Session & Pale Ales | | Featherweight | Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. | Golden | American-Style Pale Ale |
| Session & Pale Ales | | Trump Hands | Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. | Golden | Session India Pale Ale |
| Session & Pale Ales | | Honeyman 64 | Comrade Brewing Co. | Denver | International-Style Pale Ale |
| Standard American-Style IPAs | | Modern West | Amalgam Brewing | Denver | West Coast-Style India Pale Ale |
| Standard American-Style IPAs | | Westbound Select | Westbound & Down Mill | Lafayette | West Coast-Style India Pale Ale |
| Standard American-Style IPAs | | Westbound IPA | Westbound & Down Mill | Lafayette | American-Style India Pale Ale |
| Standard International & Experimental Hoppy Beers | | Spirit of the West | Westbound & Down Mill | Lafayette | New Zealand India Pale Ale |
| Standard International & Experimental Hoppy Beers | | Tree Run | Second Dawn | Aurora | Experimental India Pale Ale |
| Standard International & Experimental Hoppy Beers | | Gasoline Rainbows | Cerebral Brewing - Aurora Arts | Aurora | New Zealand India Pale Ale |
| Standard Hazy Pale Ales & IPAs | | Trailhead Fog | Living the Dream Brewing Co. | Highlands Ranch | Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale |
| Standard Hazy Pale Ales & IPAs | | I Wish You More | Beyond The Mountain Brewing | Boulder | Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale |
| Standard Hazy Pale Ales & IPAs | | Excess In Moderation | Aspen Brewing Co. | Aspen | Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale |
| Strong & Imperial Hoppy Beers | | 11th Anniversary Double IPA | Station 26 Brewing Co. | Denver | Imperial India Pale Ale |
| Strong & Imperial Hoppy Beers | | Cheat Code | Cerebral Brewing - Aurora Arts | Aurora | Juicy or Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale |
| Strong & Imperial Hoppy Beers | | Cloudship | Odell Brewing Sloan's Lake Brewhouse | Denver | Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale |
| Malty North American Beers | | Face Down Brown | Telluride Brewing Co. | Telluride | American-Style Brown Ale |
| Malty North American Beers | | Old Oak Amber Ale | Carver Brewing Co. | Durango | American Amber/Red Ale |
| Malty North American Beers | | 90 Shilling | Odell Brewing | Fort Collins | American Amber/Red Ale |
| Classic UK Amber & Brown Ales | | Scottish Ale | Stodgy Brewing Co. | Fort Collins | Scottish-Style Export Ale |
| Classic UK Amber & Brown Ales | | Draft Project London Brown | Bristol Brewing Co. | Colorado Springs | English Brown Ale |
| Classic UK Amber & Brown Ales | | Colorado Trail Nut Brown Ale | Carver Brewing Co. | Durango | English Brown Ale |
| Porters & Stouts | | Paramount Porter | Banded Oak Brewing | Denver | Robust Porter |
| Porters & Stouts | | English Porter | Stodgy Brewing Co. | Fort Collins | English Porter |
| Porters & Stouts | | Dry Irish Stout | Bent Barley Brewing Co. | Aurora | Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout |
| Strong Classic UK & North American Ales | | Mr. Sandman | River North Brewery | Denver | British-Style Imperial Stout |
| Strong Classic UK & North American Ales | | Grow Old With You | Verboten Brewing | Loveland | British-Style Barley Wine Ale |
| Strong Classic UK & North American Ales | | Hello Darkness | River North Brewery | Denver | American-Style Imperial Porter |
| Herb, Spice, & Smoked Beers | | El Poblano Borracho | Liquid Mechanics Brewing | Lafayette | Chili Beer |
| Herb, Spice, & Smoked Beers | | Mexican Hot Chocolate Milk Stout | Left Hand Brewing Co. | Longmont | Chili Beer |
| Herb, Spice, & Smoked Beers | | Signals | Incantation Brewing | Aurora | Other Smoke Beer |
| Continental Rye & Wheat Beers | | Dunk On Em | LUKI Brewery | Arvada | Dunkles Weissbier |
| Continental Rye & Wheat Beers | | Hamer Time | Tres Litros Beer Co. | Salida | Rye Beer |
| Continental Rye & Wheat Beers | | Suntrip | New Terrain Brewing Co. | Golden | Belgian-Style Witbier |
| Belgian and French Ales | | River North White | River North Brewery | Denver | Classic Saison |
| Belgian and French Ales | | Apis IV | Elevation Beer Co. | Poncha Springs | Belgian-Style Quadrupel |
| Belgian and French Ales | | Windfall Saison | Windfall Brewing Co. | Westminster | Classic Saison |
| Sour Ales | | Ghost in the Wood | Bruz Beers | Denver | Other Belgian-Style Sour Ale |
| Sour Ales | | David Frambowie | Diebolt Brewing Co. | Denver | Fruited American Sour Ale |
| Sour Ales | | Pucker Nuts | Berkeley Alley Beer Co | Denver | Fruited American Sour Ale |
| Coffee, Chocolate, & Dessert Beers | | Nightmare Fuel | River North Brewery | Denver | Coffee Stout or Porter |
| Coffee, Chocolate, & Dessert Beers | | Others in Darkness: Irish Coffee | Verboten Brewing | Loveland | Coffee Stout or Porter |
| Coffee, Chocolate, & Dessert Beers | | Psychotic Balaclava Horchata Stout | 300 Suns Brewing | Longmont | Dessert or Pastry Stout |
| Brett & Wild Beers | | Spon | Crooked Stave Brewing Co. | Denver | Belgian-Style Lambic |
| Brett & Wild Beers | | Green Spur | Cellar West Brewery | Lafayette | Brett Beer |
| Brett & Wild Beers | | Stable Of Stars | Primitive Beer | Lafayette | Wild Beer |
| Wood & Aged Beers | | Magnificent Desolation (Russell 8 Year) | Launch Pad Brewery | Aurora | Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer |
| Wood & Aged Beers | | Here Be Monsters | Cerebral Brewing - Aurora Arts | Aurora | Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout |
| Wood & Aged Beers | | Black Pearl 4x3 | Locavore Beer Works | Littleton | Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer |
| Experimental & Specialty Beers | | East County Fine Malt Liquor | The Post Brewing Co. | Lafayette | American-Style Malt Liquor |
| Experimental & Specialty Beers | | Cinnamon Roll Blonde Ale | Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales | Longmont | Experimental Beer |
| Experimental & Specialty Beers | | Oily Oaf | Wonderland Brewing Co. | Broomfield | Kentucky Common Beer |
Thank you to our amazing sponsors!
