Fat Head’s Brewery Wins Big – Again – at Great American Beer Festival

The annual Great American Beer Festival just wrapped up in Denver and, once again, Fat Head’s Brewery in Middleburg Heights has brought home the hardware. In addition to snagging five medals – two gold, one silver and two bronze – the homegrown heroes claimed the prestigious Brewery of the Year award in the 15,001-100,000 barrel division.

The medal-winning beers include Battle Axe, Strong Porter (Gold), Goggle Fogger, South German-Style Hefeweizen (Gold), Bone Head, Strong Red Ale (Silver), Excursion Journeyman, Specialty Non-Alcohol Beer (Bronze) and Hop JuJu, Imperial India Pale Ale (Bronze).

Since 2009, Fat Head’s has amassed an impressive 35 medals at the annual competition.

“We’re overjoyed to announce that our relentless pursuit of excellence has earned us 5 medals at the Great American Beer Festival, including the esteemed title of Brewery of the Year,” says founder Matt Cole. “This remarkable achievement is a resounding tribute to our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to innovation.”

Another Northeast Ohio brewery, JAFB Brewery in Wooster, earned its sixth GABF award, a bronze medal for its Hefeweizen.

Expanding our borders statewide, Ohio breweries set a new record this year earning a combined 21 medals. Our previous best was in 2023, when 12 Ohio breweries combined for 19 awards.