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2026 Golden Tap Awards (Presented by City of Chesapeake, Sponsored by Shawn Fischer - State Farm Agent)
1.
ALTERNATIVE GRAINS or SUGARS?
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery, Chefs Lemon Grass Ale
St George Brewing Co, Honey Lager
Alewerks, Cafe Royale
Post Secondary Brewing, Ledger & Oak
Nansemond Brewing Station, Beenut Butter Brown Ale
Elation Brewing, Honey I Shrunk The Lager
2.
AMBER ALES?
Back Bay Brewing Co, Witch of Pungo
Billsburg Brewery, Planet 4
Big Ugly Brewing, Schlitzengiggle Oktoberfest
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Riptide
MoMac Brewing, Ginger Dreams Irish Red Ale
Harbor Trail Brewing, Rusty Luck
3.
AMBER LAGERS?
Studly Brewing, Postseason Marzen
Makers Craft Brewery, Fest Bier
New Realm Brewing Company, New Realm Amber Lager
New Realm Brewing Company, Bold Mariner Frogman
The Virginia Beer Company, Oktoberfest
The Garage Brewery, Attack of the Märzens
Smartmouth Brewing Co, The Princess
Sojourn Fermentory, Dreherhaus Vienna Lager
Aslin Beer Co, Primitive Ways Rotbier
Tradition Brewing Company, Captains Lager
Nansemond Brewing Station, Geisterbahn Oktoberfest Lager
Elation Brewing, Red Roc California Common
Benchtop Brewing Company, Marzen
Harbor Trail Brewing, Marty’s Marzen
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Old Dog New Tricks Marzen
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Better Than the Devil
4.
AMERICAN LAGERS?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, 'Merica 250 All American Lager
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery, Chefs Ultra
Studly Brewing, Stud Lite Lager
New Realm Brewing Company, New Realm American Lager
The Virginia Beer Company, Cold Drinking Beer
Back Bay Brewing Co, Daze Off Light Lager
The Garage Brewery, Light Bulb American Light Lager
Big Ugly Brewing, One Heart
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Deep Current
Aslin Beer Co, Stein Cold Stunner American Pilsner
Aslin Beer Co, I Consider Myself A Collector West Coast Style Pilsner
Tradition Brewing Company, Craft Lager
MoMac Brewing, Nauti Lite Light Lager
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Pick of the Liter American Lager
5.
BELGIAN ALES?
Back Bay Brewing Co, Apricot Tripel
COVA Brewing Company, Willoughby Witbier
Gloucester Brewing Co, White Marsh Witbier
Tradition Brewing Company, Wit’ner Wonderland
Nansemond Brewing Station, White Canoe Belgian Wit
Elation Brewing, PAX Belgian Singel
6.
BRITISH BITTERS?
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Red Ale
St George Brewing Co, English IPA
The Virginia Beer Company, London Calling Pub Ale
Post Secondary Brewing, Final Exam, Extra Special Bitter
The Garage Brewery, Aw Beans ESB
Nansemond Brewing Station, Fiddlin' Pig Bitter
Harbor Trail Brewing, Trail Marker
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Gilded Tides English ESG
7.
BROWN ALE?
St George Brewing Co, Nut Brown Ale
The Virginia Beer Company, Trail Magic Brown Ale
Alewerks, Tavern Brown Ale
Gloucester Brewing Co, Low Ground
Tradition Brewing Company, Honey Brown Ale
MoMac Brewing, Craney Island Brown Ale
Benchtop Brewing Company, Secret Skulls
Harbor Trail Brewing, Victory Brown
8.
CREAMS & BLONDES?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, The Mick Coffee Blonde Ale
Post Secondary Brewing, Orange Creamsicle
COVA Brewing Company, East Beach Blonde
Big Ugly Brewing, Sunbeam Blonde
MoMac Brewing, Pineapple J.I.B. Blonde Ale
Harbor Trail Brewing, Dublin Blonde
9.
DARK EUROPEAN LAGERS?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, Nacht Shift Schwatzbier
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery, Weihnactsmarkt Dopplebock
Studly Brewing, 'Nana Ball Hefeweizen
Back Bay Brewing Co, Winters Night Dark Lager
The Garage Brewery, Your Fun Dunkel Munich Dunkel
COVA Brewing Company, Blackbeard Black Lager
Sojourn Fermentory, Midnight Czech Dark Lager
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Lovina
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Black Flag
Gloucester Brewing Co, Mobjack Black Lager
MoMac Brewing, Geistboot
10.
DOUBLE IPA?
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Treat Me Wrong IIPA
Makers Craft Brewery, Murder Hornet
The Virginia Beer Company, Estimated Eyes Double IPA
Post Secondary Brewing, 70 Meg Ohm Double IPA
Afterglow Brewing, Brain Science
The Garage Brewery, F Bomb
Big Ugly Brewing, Maybe Today Satan
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Notch 9
Sojourn Fermentory, Dweller
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Hoptopus Prime
MoMac Brewing, Strata Outta P-Town
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Big Dog Energy (BDE) Hazy DIP
11.
EUROPEAN SOUR?
COVA Brewing Company, Aloha State of Mind
MoMac Brewing, Sunset Burst Raspberry Mango Sour
Elation Brewing, Rosé Gosé
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Unleashed Boysenberry Gose
12.
FRUIT?
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Tangerine Creamsicle
Makers Craft Brewery, Raspberry Wheat
St George Brewing Co, Your Patronus Is Showing
Alewerks, Shortcake Blonde Ale
Back Bay Brewing Co, City Kittly Volume II
Post Secondary Brewing, Extra Credit Blueberry Kolsch
Afterglow Brewing, Mother Fluffer
The Garage Brewery, Boss Lady Vol. 10
COVA Brewing Company, Apple Pie Gose
Billsburg Brewery, Radler
Aslin Beer Co, Like Paw Paw Said Hazy Double IPA w/Paw Paw and Vanilla Custard
Elation Brewing, Sun Squeezed Tangerine and Passionfruit Ale
Harbor Trail Brewing, Berry Me in Some Sunshine
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Jack the Dripper Raspberry Gose
13.
GERMAN & AMERICAN WHEAT?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, White Line Hefeweizen
St George Brewing Co, Knight’s Respite
Back Bay Brewing Co, Farmhouse Hefe
The Garage Brewery, Worker’s Comp
Billsburg Brewery, Miami Weisse
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Sommer Fling
Sojourn Fermentory, Luftschloss Hefeweizen
MoMac Brewing, Safe Harbor Hefeweizen
Harbor Trail Brewing, Bright Side
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Shepheweizen German Hefeweizen
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Hefe Impressions
14.
HAZY IPA?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, Storm Clouds Hazy IPA
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery, Halley’s Comet
Studly Brewing, In the Hole Hazy IPA
Makers Craft Brewery, Nectron of the Gods
New Realm Brewing Company, Hazy Like a Fox
The Virginia Beer Company, Free Verse IPA
Back Bay Brewing Co, Sugar Magnolia IPA
Post Secondary Brewing, Intolerable Acts
Afterglow Brewing, 1 Up Ale
Billsburg Brewery, Tourist Trap
Big Ugly Brewing, Joy Ride Hazy IPA
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Savage Mondo
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Valley of Bones
Aslin Beer Co, It’s Not The Mill, It’s the Grain Hazy IPA
Tradition Brewing Company, Colonel Mustard
Elation Brewing, Highland Park Hazy
Wasserhund Brewing Company, DREAM Hazy IPA
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Scarlet Future Blood Orange Hazy IPA
15.
INTERNATIONAL LAGER?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, Luna Japanese Rice Lager
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery, Market Czech Lager
New Realm Brewing Company, Bavarian Prince
The Virginia Beer Company, La Cocina Mexican Amber Lager
Alewerks, Weekend Lager
Back Bay Brewing Co, Legend of the Rice Lager
Afterglow Brewing, El Monarch Billsburg Brewery, Classic Lager
Big Ugly Brewing, Peake Lager
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Señorita Vesa
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Itza Mexican Lager
Nansemond Brewing Station, Lite Rail Light Lager
Elation Brewing, Larchmont Lager
Benchtop Brewing Company, Kinben Japanese Rice Lager
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Rising Bun Japanese Style Rice Lager
16.
IPA?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, The Storm West Coast IPA
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Snap Guns IPA
Studly Brewing, Warning Track IPA
St George Brewing Co, New Era IPA
New Realm Brewing Company, Kickflipper West Coast IPA
New Realm Brewing Company, El Guapo Agave IPA
Billsburg Brewery, Fly Away
Big Ugly Brewing, Rockers IPA
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Seapines
Sojourn Fermentory, In Confluence IPA
Gloucester Brewing Co, Bayside IPA
Aslin Beer Co, Drip And Melt West Coast Style IPA
Aslin Beer Co, Transparent Existence West Coast Style IPA
Aslin Beer Co, Steiner Math West Coast Style IPA
Tradition Brewing Company, Why You Bitter
Nansemond Brewing Station, Firefly Lamp
Elation Brewing, Cassowary Chaos
Benchtop Brewing Company, Proven Theory
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Doggy Paddle IPA
17.
IRISH & SCOTTISH ALES?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, Crunluath Scottish Wee Heavy
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, Station 12 Fire Engine Red
Studly Brewing, At the Wall Red Ale
Post Secondary Brewing, Hibernian Rua
Gloucester Brewing Co, Rosewell Red Ale
Tradition Brewing Company, Red Willie
Nansemond Brewing Station, Mystic Maiden Heather Ale
Elation Brewing, Riverpoint Red
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Green ViBe Irish Red Ale
18.
KÖLSCH/LEICHTBIER?
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, House Beer
St George Brewing Co, Morning Dew
The Virginia Beer Company, Griffin Gold
Afterglow Brewing, Kölsch Ricky
COVA Brewing Company, COVA Light
Sojourn Fermentory, Delicate
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Sandshark
Gloucester Brewing Co, Kolman Kolsch
Aslin Beer Co, Land of Sunshine
Nansemond Brewing Station, Kilby Kolsch
Harbor Trail Brewing, Cutter
19.
MIXED FERMENTATION?
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery, Days On Saison
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Red Messenger
Benchtop Brewing Company, Long Funky Streaks
20.
MONASTIC ALE?
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co. Namur the Merrier Belgian-style Quad
Billsburg Brewery, Boat Trip Belgian Tripel
Sojourn Fermentory, Intellectual Hospitality Belgian Quad
21.
PALE ALES?
Makers Craft Brewery, English Pub Ale
St George Brewing Co, Mothership Golden Ale
Alewerks, Chesapeake Pale Ale
Aslin Beer Co, Yarling Pale Ale
Harbor Trail Brewing, Harbor Trail Pale Ale
22.
PALE EUROPEAN BITTER/PILSNER?
Studly Brewing, Pinstripe Pilsner
Makers Craft Brewery, Fuhgeddaboutit
New Realm Brewing Company, New Realm Pilsner
Afterglow Brewing, Dad Vibez
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Safety Dance
Gloucester Brewing Co, Providence Pilsner
Benchtop Brewing Company, Pilsners Are Lagers
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Great Danish Pilsner
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Gogh Blonde
23.
PALE EUROPEAN LAGERS?
Alewerks, Oktoberfest
The Garage Brewery, In Dog Years I’m Dead Munich Helles
Billsburg Brewery, Oktoberfest
Sojourn Fermentory, Ten Czech Pale Lager
Gloucester Brewing Co, Fairfield Festbier
Benchtop Brewing Company, Crispy Whip
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Oktoberfest
24.
PORTERS?
St George Brewing Co, London Porter
The Virginia Beer Company, Sit, Stay, S'more Porter
Billsburg Brewery, Grand Hallucination Imperial Rye Porter
Big Ugly Brewing, 22 Porter Vanilla Porter
Smartmouth Brewing Co, As You Wish
Nansemond Brewing Station, London Calling Pink Boots Collaboration
25.
SMOKE?
St George Brewing Co, Slumbering Dragon
Post Secondary Brewing, After Lights Out Smoked Vanilla Porter
Sojourn Fermentory, Human After All Baltic Porter with smoked peanut hull
26.
SPECIALTY IPA?
Makers Craft Brewery, Swallowtail Ale
New Realm Brewing Company, Psychedelic Rabbit Tropical IPA
Back Bay Brewing Co, Studio Farmhouse Black IPA
Post Secondary Brewing, 100K Ohm Black IPA
Afterglow Brewing, All Rye, All Rye, All Rye
Benchtop Brewing Company, New Zealand Proven Theory
Harbor Trail Brewing, Night Shift
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Psychobabble Cold IPA
27.
STOUTS?
Thin Brew Line Brewing Co, Frontline Coffee Stout
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, My Thunder Stout
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Fifth Force Imperial Stout
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery, Dead Dipped Raspberry Chocolate Stout
Makers Craft Brewery, RA RA Rasputin
Makers Craft Brewery, 2nd Breakfast
Alewerks, Intentional Stout
Post Secondary Brewing, Wicklow Dry Irish Stout
Afterglow Brewing, Stout of Bounds
Big Ugly Brewing, Ape Hanger Russian Imperial Stout
Smartmouth Brewing Co, What Is That, Velvet
Sojourn Fermentory, A Falcon Named Amicus - Dubai Chocolate Inspired Stout
Gloucester Brewing Co, Shucking Good Oyster Stout
Tradition Brewing Company, A Little Flava In Ya Beer
MoMac Brewing, Dark Side CWOA Norfolk Coffee Stout
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, Spectral Signature English Milk Stout
28.
STRONG ALE?
Studly Brewing, Big Unit Barleywine
The Virginia Beer Company, Rob Your Head Imperial Red
Alewerks, Grand Illumination
Afterglow Brewing, Backstage Burton Ale
COVA Brewing Company, Winter Warmer
29.
STRONG EUROPEAN LAGERS?
COVA Brewing Company, Febtoberfest Imperial Festbier
Billsburg Brewery, James City Export Dortmunder Lager
MoMac Brewing, High Water Helles Bock
Wasserhund Brewing Company, Zero Tolerance Eisbock
30.
VEGETABLE/SPICE?
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Coffee Blonde Ale
Studly Brewing, Jack-O-Line Drive Pumpkin Ale
Makers Craft Brewery, Patch Slapped
New Realm Brewing Company, Oaxaca Choca Mexican Chocolate Imperial Stout
Alewerks, Christmas Ale
The Garage Brewery, No Carrot All Carrot Cake Ale
COVA Brewing Company, Coffee Snob Vanilla Latte Stout
Big Ugly Brewing, Hot Pursuit Pineapple Habanero Blonde
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Outta Yer Gourd
Gloucester Brewing Co, Pre-Dawn Coffee Porter
Tradition Brewing Company, Persnickety Witch
Nansemond Brewing Station, Yam Jam Brown Ale
Elation Brewing, Prodigal Saison
Benchtop Brewing Company, Wicked Walter
31.
WOOD?
Afterglow Brewing, What Wood Barry Do
Alewerks, Jubilee XX
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Devil’s Take Barrel-aged Stout
Tradition Brewing Company, Oh My Gourd!
32.
EXPERIMENTAL BEERS?
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Ichor Honey Walnut Brown Ale
Back Bay Brewing Co, VB Ghani Weed West Coast IPA
The Garage Brewery, Långhus Sahti
COVA Brewing Company, Lavender Lemonade
Benchtop Brewing Company, Sterling Fresh
33.
BEST BEER NAME?
Thin Brew Line, Cheaper Than Gas
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Treat Me Wrong IIPA
Studly Brewing, Jack-O-Line Drive Pumpkin Ale
Makers Craft Brewery, Patch Slapped
St George Brewing Co, Your Patronus Is Showing
New Realm Brewing Company, Psychedelic Rabbit
The Virginia Beer Company, Blink If You Want Me Hazy IPA
Alewerks, Bitter Valentine
Back Bay Brewing Co, City Kitty Volume II
Afterglow Brewing, All Rye, All Rye, All Rye
The Garage Brewery, In Dog Years I’m Dead
COVA Brewing Company, Aloha State of Mind
Billsburg Brewery, Tourist Trap
Big Ugly Brewing, Maybe Today Satan
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Cowcatcher
Sojourn Fermentory, Suffolk King Good
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Hoptopus Prime
Aslin Beer Co, Stein Cold Stunner
1700 Brewing, Santa Wears Combat Boots
Tradition Brewing Company, Why You Bitter
MoMac Brewing, Strata Outta P-Town
Nansemond Brewing Station, Beenut Butter Brown Ale
Elation Brewing, Honey I Shrunk The Lager
Benchtop Brewing Company, Pilsners Are Lagers
Harbor Trail Brewing, Berry Me in Sunshine
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, “Rising Bun”
34.
CAN ART DESIGN?
Kölsch-9 by Thin Brew Line
Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co, Ichor Honey Walnut Brown Ale
Makers Craft Brewery, Razzy Wheat
St George Brewing Co, Nut Brown Ale VA250 Yorktown Celebration
New Realm Brewing Company, Psychedelic Rabbit
The Virginia Beer Company, Wassup, Witches?
Alewerks, More is Less Double IPA
Back Bay Brewing Co, City Kitty Volume II
Afterglow Brewing, El Monarch
The Garage Brewery, Your Fun Dunkel
COVA Brewing Company, Lavender Lemonade
Billsburg Brewery, Miami Weisse
Big Ugly Brewing, Ape Hanger Russian Imperial Stout
Smartmouth Brewing Co, Running Late Hazy IPA
Sojourn Fermentory, Beacon of the Deep
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Hammerhead IPA
1700 Brewing, Short Tour
Tradition Brewing Company, Persnickety Witch
Harbor Trail Brewing, Victory Brown Ale
MoMac Brewing, Strata Outta P-Town
Nansemond Brewing Station, Beenut Butter Brown Ale
Elation Brewing, Otter Lager
Vibrant Shore Brewing Company, “Rising Bun”
35.
BREWERY EVENT?
Annual "Stuff the Ambulance" Holiday Toy Drive at Thin Brew Line
Shipwreck Festival at The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery
Studly Sports Club Wiffle Ball League
Makers Craft Brewery Krampus Nacht
St George Brewing Co Hampton Roads Honey Fest
New Realm Picklefest
Virginia Beer Co & Friends Music Performance Fundraiser for Hospice House of Williamsburg
Alewerks, Jubilee 20th Anniversary Celebration
Back Bay Brewing Co, Aloha to Summer
Afterglow Brewing Mother Fluffin’ Festival
Renaissance Faire at The Garage Brewery
COVA Brewing Co’s St Patrick’s Day After Parade Party
Billsburg Brewery Pilsner Invitational
Big Ugly Brewing Mothers Day Party
Smartmouth Brewing Co Smartmouth’s Picklefest
Sojourn Fermentory Foam Jam 2026
Reaver Beach Brewing Co, Airshow Viewing Party
Gloucester Brewing Co, Pints For Parkinson’s
Aslin Beer Co, Aslin Beer Tachtoberfest
1700 Brewing, Oh Fest
Tradition Brewing Company, Picklefest
MoMac Brewing, Anniversary Party
Nansemond Brewing Station Firk Around and Find Out Cask Ale Festival
Elation Brewing, Oktoberfest
Benchtop Brewing Company, Oktoberfest
The Garage Brewery, The Craft Beer Social
36.
BREWERY EXPERIENCE (taproom, outdoors, entertainment, quality of beer)?
Thin Brew Line
The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery
Chefs Life Brewery Distillery
Studly Brewing
Makers Craft Brewery
St George Brewing Company
New Realm Brewing Company
The Virginia Beer Company
Alewerks
Farm House by Back Bay
Post Secondary Brewing
Afterglow Brewing
The Garage Brewery
COVA Brewing Company
Billsburg Brewery
Big Ugly Brewing
Smartmouth Pilot House
Sojourn Fermentory
Reaver Beach Brewing Co
Gloucester Brewing Co
1700 Brewing
Tradition Brewing Company
MoMac Brewing
Nansemond Brewing Station
Elation Brewing
Benchtop Brewing Company
Harbor Trail Brewing
37.
SATELLITE EXPERIENCE?
New Realm Brewing Suffolk
The Kitchen from The Virginia Beer Company
Alewerks LAB
Aslin Beer Co
Coastal Fermentory Uptown
Three Notch’d Brewing Co Virginia Beach
Wasserhund Brewing Company Chesapeake
Wasserhund Brewing Company Norfolk
38.
BEST BREWER?
Bobby Winn (Thin Brew Line)
Todd Emr, (Caiseal Beer & Spirits Co)
Logan Morris (Virginia Beer Company)
Will Sawyer (The Garage Brewery)
Michele Lowney (Makers Craft Brewery)
Jack Ferris (St George Brewing Co)
Matt Topping (COVA Brewing Company)
Geoff Logan (Alewerks)
Keith Rodriguez (Back Bay Brewing Co)
Chris-Topher Slater (Post Secondary Brewing)
Josh Evans (Afterglow Brewing)
Anthony “Dino” Merendino (Billsburg Brewery)
Mark Fiscus (Big Ugly Brewing)
Jared Smith (Smartmouth Brewing Co)
Josh Chapman (Sojourn Fermentory)
Billy Martin (1700 Brewing)
Chris Richards (MoMac Brewing)
Mike Brewer (Gloucester Brewing Co)
Noah Shaffer (Elation Brewing)
Eric Tennant (Benchtop Brewing Company)
Matt Spencer (Tradition Brewing Co)
39.
BEER FESTIVAL (Non-Brewery)?
ODU’s Roar & Pour
Neptune’s 11th Annual Coastal Craft Beer Festival
757 Battle of the Beers
Williamsburg Craft Beer Festival
Tap Into Virginia Opera: Greatest Brews on Earth
Field Dayz 8
Yorktoberfest Craft Beer Festival
Phoebus Spring Fling & Beer Fest
