Story perspectives

Ohio Breweries Shine with 21 Medals at GABF

10/13/2025

Summary

Story summary

Ohio breweries won 21 medals at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, among 1,500+ breweries and 8,315 entries.
Fat Head's Brewery in Middleburg Heights won six awards, including Brewery of the Year in the 15,001–100,000-barrel category.
Third Eye Brewing in Cincinnati earned Brewery of the Year in the 2,001–5,000-barrel division.
Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, praised the breweries for high-quality beers and community contributions.

History

Historical Context

The Great American Beer Festival, established in 1982 in Denver, Colorado, marked the rise of the craft beer movement in the U.S. By 2021, over 8,000 breweries operated nationwide, reflecting a significant industry expansion. Ohio's breweries, winning 21 medals in 2025, highlight local contributions, with Fat Head's Brewery and Third Eye Brewing exemplifying the importance of quality and community engagement in craft brewing.

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Story summary

Ohio breweries won 21 medals at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival, among 1,500+ breweries and 8,315 entries.
Fat Head's Brewery in Middleburg Heights won six awards, including Brewery of the Year in the 15,001–100,000-barrel category.
Third Eye Brewing in Cincinnati earned Brewery of the Year in the 2,001–5,000-barrel division.
Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, praised the breweries for high-quality beers and community contributions.

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