Beer, beer, and well, more beer. The weekend of Aug. 26 to 27 marked the 12th anniversary of the North Carolina Brewers Cup competition in Raleigh. Beer brewers from across the state gathered in North Carolina’s capital city to compete for the best of the best with 36 different categories in the competition. Several local brewers returned to Wilmington with prizes. 

Wilmington Brewing Company brought home 2 prizes; its famous “Beach Time” beer, which falls into the American Pale Ale category, brought home the silver prize while its “Tropical Lightning” brought home the grand gold prize in the American-style IPA category. 

Local favorite, Waterman’s Brewing Company was also a winner this year. The brewery brought home a gold prize for its “Playa Pils” in the Pilsner-Style Lager category.  

This year, the three largest categories were juicy/hazy style IPA with 70 entries, American-style IPA with 63 entries, and field and spiced beers with 50 entries. A total of 873 entries were submitted by 122 independent North Carolina brewers. 

Wilmington breweries, like other competitors from across the state, will have an opportunity to compete for the NC Brewery of the Year award this fall. This award celebrates the brewery that secured the most overall points, based on medals won.  

The NC Craft Brewers Guild will announce the NC Brewery of the Year and present the trophy and all medals at this year’s NC Beer Industry Awards Banquet taking place at the NC Craft Brewers Conference in Winston-Salem on November 14.  

Over the past few years, North Carolina has become famous for its craft breweries and taprooms. NC Beers will be celebrated in October, as it is North Carolina Beer Month. The month-long celebration from the mountains to the coast will feature the best of the state’s beer craftsmanship and the unique destinations, where and why it thrives. For more information, visit ncbeer.org.  

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