NYS Craft Beer Winners 2026
The NYS Craft Beer Competition is the largest state-level craft beer competition in the U.S.
On March 20, I attended the annual NYC Craft Beer Competition Awards Ceremony which is open to the over 500 licensed breweries in New York State. This year, the competition received an impressive 1,142 beer submissions from 178 breweries, underscoring the range + innovation in the state's craft beer scene. — SDP
Earlier in March, the New York Brewers Association invited me to the annual awards NYS Craft Beer Competition Awards ceremony at the Albany Capital Center. As an industry-member-only Awards Celebration, presented by Hart Print, the ceremony formed the closing event of the NYS Brewers Conference. Judging took place earlier over two days from February 28 to March 1, in Rochester, N.Y. The competition is open to the more than 500 licensed NYS breweries.
This year 1,142 beers were entered by 178 breweries, making it the largest state-level competition in the country. I dropped by to see the majority of the 101 medals awarded, including the presentation of awards for the “Best NYS Brewery of the Year,” “Best NYS Farm Beer,” “Best Collaboration Beer,” and "New York State Brewery of the Year" as well as the “Governor’s Craft Beer Cup” presented by Deputy Mayor of Albany Chris Ellis for the “Best-In-Show Beer.” This was no command performance for the Deputy Mayor. Ellis, a self-described “Ohio boy,” attended “college in the foothills of New Hampshire” where, he assured the appreciative audience, he developed a lasting passion for craft beer. He seemed in his element.
More than heated rivalry, the Albany Capital Center was packed with a generous and convivial crowd of competitor breweries, some sporting matching bowling shirts, at tables filled with brewers, staff and families—and a few entertaining children—collectively applauding, whistling and cheering on this year’s winners while cracking open fresh cans. Most tables had a complimentary case of Utica Club as a center piece; in some cases, the empties were stacked high in remarkably tall displays. Event MC, Chris Erickson, kept the awards moving apace and the crowd entertained while New York State Commissioner of Agriculture, Richard Ball, also shared humorous, crowd-pleasing remarks.
The 2026 winners included:
The Governor's Craft Beer Cup presented to Wild East for their “Hexenkessel” in the Dark Lager Category as the Best-In-Show-Beer.
Grimm Artisanal Ales won New York State Brewery of the Year for the 5th time. (2021, 2022, 2024,2025, 2026).
Craft beer enthusiasts were able to watch the awards ceremony via the New York State Craft Beer YouTube Channel and breweries throughout the state hosted remote watch parties.
For the first time, ‘Light Lager’ took the top spot from ‘Hazy IPA’ as the most-entered category, reflecting growing interest in approachable, traditional styles.
You can start your own beer adventure by downloading The Official NYS Craft Beer App which includes 500 breweries, two passport trails, festivals, events and—of course—celebrations of NY Craft Beer Day on April 11.
—> Right in time, The Dishing has a giveway of 3 x Think NY, Drink NY canvas tote bags. The first two tote bags also include a metal NY Craft Beer Day shield for your man cave or bar. To participate, follow @thedishing on Instagram, and enter according to the rules on Wednesday, April 8. The winners will be announced on Friday, April 10, 2026.
