Discover the most celebrated beers from Asheville’s award-winning microbreweries, including GABF gold medalists and local favorites that have earned national recognition.
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Award-Winning Beers from Asheville Microbreweries: Medal-Winners Guide
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville’s craft beer scene isn’t just thriving—it’s collecting hardware. From Great American Beer Festival golds to World Beer Cup honors, our small-batch brewers are proving that big flavors come in small packages. This guide spotlights the medal-winning microbreweries that have put Western North Carolina on the craft beer map. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or just beer-curious, these award winners deserve a spot on your must-try list. We’ve saved a seat at the bar for you—come taste what the buzz is all about.
GABF Gold: The Pinnacle of Brewing Excellence
When it comes to beer competitions in America, nothing tops the Great American Beer Festival. Think of it as the Olympics of brewing—with more foam and significantly happier judges. Hillman Beer made waves in 2019 when their ESB (Extra Special Bitter) claimed Gold at GABF, cementing this family-owned brewery’s reputation for traditional styles crafted to perfection.
What makes this victory especially sweet? Hillman wasn’t chasing trends or pushing boundaries with exotic ingredients. They simply executed a classic British style so flawlessly that judges couldn’t help but award it top honors. This 5.5% ABV gem showcases balanced malt character with just the right hop presence—proof that sometimes perfecting tradition trumps innovation.
Local Heroes: Asheville’s Medal Cabinet
The Hillman family isn’t alone in bringing brewing honors back to Asheville. The city’s concentration of medal-winning microbreweries has helped earn its nickname as the “Beer City USA.” Hillman’s Four Fat Baby has also claimed Bronze at GABF, adding to the brewery’s growing collection of accolades.
What sets these winning microbreweries apart is their hands-on approach. Unlike larger operations, Asheville’s small-batch brewers often have the head brewer directly involved in every batch. At Hillman, Brad Hillman brings nearly two decades of brewing experience to each recipe, while siblings Greig and Brandi ensure the business side runs smoothly without losing the personal touch that defines true craft brewing.
Beyond the Medals: Asheville’s Brewing Philosophy
What you won’t find in Asheville’s best microbreweries are absent owners and corporate recipes. The medal-winning beers from these establishments reflect an authentic approach where quality trumps quantity every time. Many of the award-winning brewers in the area focus on sessionable, balanced beers that invite conversation rather than overwhelming the palate.
Take Hillman’s approach: they’re not trying to reinvent beer. Instead, they’re honoring brewing traditions while executing them with exceptional attention to detail. This commitment to quality over novelty has resonated with both competition judges and everyday drinkers who appreciate craft beer without the pretension.
Worth the Journey: Visiting Award-Winners in Person
While you can find some of these celebrated beers in local bottle shops, nothing beats experiencing them at the source. Many of Asheville’s medal-winning microbreweries offer tasting flights that let you sample their award-winners alongside seasonal specialties. Hillman Beer’s two locations in Asheville and Old Fort provide the perfect setting to enjoy their GABF winners in a warm, community-focused atmosphere.
The best part of visiting these microbreweries in person? You might catch the brewers themselves working the tanks or chatting with guests. This accessibility is part of what makes Asheville’s beer scene special—the people creating these award-winning beverages are genuinely passionate about sharing their craft with visitors.
Come Taste the Hardware
Ready to experience Asheville’s award-winning beer scene for yourself? Start your journey at Hillman Beer, where you can sip on their GABF Gold ESB while enjoying scratch-made pub fare in a setting that feels like your neighborhood living room. Both the intimate Asheville location and the expansive Old Fort brewery offer the perfect backdrop to appreciate what makes these beers worthy of their medals.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated beer tour or just looking to enhance your Asheville visit, these medal-winning microbreweries provide a taste of authentic craft brewing at its finest. No pretension, no gimmicks—just exceptional beer created by people who love what they do.
Visit Hillman Beer
Experience our award-winning brews at either of our family-owned locations in Western North Carolina. We’ve saved a seat for you at our table.
Asheville Location: 25 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC
Old Fort Location: 78 Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, NC
Open Sunday-Tuesday until 9pm, Wednesday-Saturday until 10pm. Kitchen closes daily at 9pm.
