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  • These NoVA Breweries Won in the Virginia Craft Beer Cup
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These NoVA Breweries Won in the Virginia Craft Beer Cup

Head to these spots to taste some of NoVA’s best brews.

By Maggie Roth August 12, 2026 at 5:27 pm

The Virginia Craft Brewer’s Guild has recognized the commonwealth’s top beers in its annual Virginia Craft Beer Cup, and several NoVA breweries earned medals.  

This year’s competition featured 347 beer entries in a wide range of styles, judged by 36 judges. The winners were announced at the Virginia Craft Beer Summit & Gala on Monday.  

Virginia brewers continue to produce exceptional beers,” said Stacie Gordon, executive director of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild. “The Virginia Craft Beer Cup is an opportunity to celebrate the talent, innovation, and dedication of our independent craft breweries while recognizing the beers that exemplify excellence in brewing.” 

Top Awards 

In the Best of Show category, Alexandria’s Port City Brewing Co.’s Optimal Wit won bronze.  

It followed Charlottesville-based Selvedge Brewing Company’s Batiste with gold and Richmond’s The Answer Brewpub’s Rauchpause with silver.

The Virginia Brewery of the Year Award went to Fine Creek Brewing Co. in Powhatan. The Most Revolutionary Brew in Virginia went to Norfolk’s Afterglow Brewing’s Declaration of Fermentation.  

NoVA Breweries Recognized 

In addition to Port City’s Best of Show medal, the Alexandria brewery also took home gold for Optimal Wit in the Belgian Ales category.  

Also representing NoVA among the winners was Caboose Brewing Co., which has locations in Vienna and Fairfax. It won gold in the Alternative Sugar/Grains category for Yo!; silver in Amber Ales for CTRL-ALT-DEL; and bronze in Belgian Ales for It’s Wit! 

2 Silos Brewing Co. Won gold in American Wheat for its Hefe and silver in Fruit for Squared Pants.  

Starr Hill Brewery won gold in Amber Lagers for Under the Radar, bronze in European Sours for Stupid Sexy Flanders, and bronze in Specialty IPAs for Exit Strategy.  

Other NoVA medalists include The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Bear Chase Brewing Co., Loudoun Brewing Co., and the Lake Anne Brew House.  

See the full list of winning breweries and beers on the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild website.  

Feature image courtesy Port City

Maggie Roth

Maggie Roth

Associate Editor

Maggie Roth is the associate editor for Northern Virginia Magazine, where she covers news and culture in the NoVA area. Originally from New Jersey, she is a graduate of George Mason University and joined the magazine in 2021 as an editorial intern.

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