RICHMOND, VA—Virginia’s craft beer scene continues to shine on the international stage as four independent craft breweries from the Commonwealth earned medals at the world’s most prestigious beer competition—the World Beer Cup®—in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania yesterday.
Competing against thousands of entries, Virginia’s breweries stood out for their innovation, craftsmanship, and dedication to producing high-quality beer. Organized annually by the Brewers Association, the World Beer Cup® featured 8,166 entries from 50 nations, judged by an international panel of 255 experts.
Virginia’s independent craft breweries earned a total of three gold and one bronze medal, showcasing the state’s continued excellence in brewing. At the award ceremony, dozens of Virginia craft brewers gathered with the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, standing shoulder to shoulder as they cheered one another on.
Virginia’s winning craft breweries and their medal-winning beers include:
- 2 Silos Brewing Co. (Manassas, VA) – Gold for Pumpkin Ale, Pumpkin/Squash or Pumpkin Spice Beer
- Caboose Brewing Co. (Vienna, VA) – Gold for Boxcar Brown, American-Style Brown Ale (also won bronze in this category in 2025)
- Cova Brewing Co. (Norfolk, VA) – Gold for Aloha State of Mind, Gose (also won gold in this category in 2022 and 2023)
- Barley Naked Brewing Co. (Stafford, VA) – Bronze for Irish Prenup, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout (also won bronze in this category in 2024)
“To stand out in a competition of this scale says a lot about the caliber of brewing happening in Virginia,” said Stacie Gordon, Executive Director of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild. “We’re beyond proud of the breweries recognized this year, whose continued success speaks to the quality and consistency of Virginia craft beer. Virginia’s craft breweries are producing world-class beer while serving as gathering spaces for local communities, destinations for visitors, and economic drivers. We were proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brewers as they represented Virginia on a global stage.”
This summer, Virginia brewers will compete for statewide accolades in more than 30 categories at the Virginia Craft Beer Cup, hosted annually by the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild. Winners will be recognized on Monday, August 10, during Virginia Craft Beer Month at the Virginia Craft Beer Summit & Gala in Doswell, VA—the Commonwealth’s largest gathering of independent craft brewers.
About World Beer Cup
The World Beer Cup® (WBC), the world’s most prestigious beer competition, today celebrated three decades of brewing excellence by awarding 353 medals to breweries and cideries across the globe. Organized by the Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers—the 2026 World Beer Cup, now in its 30th year, recognized the very best in beer and cider across 118 categories, while continuing to set the global standard for technical excellence, innovation, and creativity rooted in both tradition and progress. View their press release here.
About Virginia Craft Brewers Guild
Since 2010, the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild (VCBG) has represented Virginia’s independent craft breweries, supporting an industry built on craftsmanship, innovation, and community. With more than 300 breweries spanning urban centers and rural communities alike, the Guild highlights the role of craft beer in driving tourism, supporting local agriculture, and fostering vibrant gathering spaces across Virginia. With 5.3 breweries per capita, Virginia’s craft beer industry contributes more than $1.5 billion annually to the state’s economy. The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild is an affiliate of the Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) and works in partnership with the Brewers Association.