ASHEVILLE – In an international blinded evaluation, breweries from North Carolina went head-to-head with those from 49 different nations, ultimately securing 11 medals at the esteemed World Beer Cup competition, often referred to as “the Olympics of beer contests.”
Four medals were bestowed upon Asheville region breweries: Diatribe, Highland, Hi-Wire, and Sierra Nevada.
The Brewers Association received 8,375 submissions from 1,761 breweries, which were evaluated across 14 sessions by 265 professionals in the field.
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The winners were unveiled at the 2025 World Beer Cup awards event held on May 1 during the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America in Indianapolis.
The local brewing teams discussed their prize-winning beers and emphasized that winning these medals is a victory for the Asheville-area brewing community, especially considering the difficult period they experienced following last autumn’s Tropical Storm Helene.
Diatribe Brewing Co.
1042 Haywood Road, West Asheville.
diatribebrewing.com
Diablo Brewing Company secured the gold medal in the Chocolate Beer division for their Chocolate Porter.
Diatribe opened in 2023
With an American Porter that has become a beloved fixture at the taprooms and secured a gold medal for the West Asheville brewery in the 2024 Best of Craft Beer Awards, Dave Byer, who is both a co-owner and brewer, shared his process. He started with this foundation to craft the Chocolate Porter, incorporating imported cocoa nibs, experimenting with various methods, and eventually presenting it to the public for feedback.
Having a great time throughout this journey with both our team and customers has been wonderful,” Byer mentioned. “This beer was crafted through collective input from many people who shared their preferences. It’s all about combining elements we enjoy and integrating successful tweaks into our acclaimed porter.
Byer mentioned that he has observed Asheville’s brewing sector grow stronger for more than ten years, enabling it to stand up against global competitors. He also pointed out that Helene exemplifies the community’s fortitude.
One of the initial brews made by Byer following the restoration of water supplies a few weeks post-storm was The Chocolate Porter. He credited the local backing for helping keep the brewery operational and prosperous.
Betty Dunajski, who co-owns and manages the taproom, mentioned that the brewery will take part in the event, organizing activities throughout AVL Beer Week from May 15-29.
“We always have fun experiments and different ways for people to connect with beer, whether it’s different ingredients or different ways of serving beer,” she said.” We like to get our customers and community involved.”
The Chocolate Porter can only be found in the taproom. This brew is seasonal, with quantities being restricted.
Highland Brewing Co.
12 Old Charlotte Highway, Asheville.
highlandbrewing.com
Highland Brewing Company was awarded the gold medal in the German-style Kölsch category for their beer named Daycation Gold.
“Nikki Mitchell, the vice president of brand development, stated that the German-style Kölsch category is very intricate,’ adding ‘it’s an incredibly subtle brew. Winning the ‘Gold’ award brings immense joy and great pride to both myself and everyone at Highland,’” she explained.
In 2021, Daycation Gold was launched as a limited-edition Kölsch called Distance Driver. This beer earned a gold medal at the 2022 Best of Craft Beer Awards. It was crafted specifically to satisfy the thirst of disc golf enthusiasts.
Highland’s East Asheville campus
Due to popular demand, this beverage continued production. This spring, they launched an updated and relabeled variant called Daycation Gold, which falls under the same category of session beers as Daycitation IPA. You can find it both at the taproom and in stores for purchase.
Innovation Brewing Manager, Josh Jiles, said it’s a technical, challenging beer to brew, but when done correctly, it should be refreshing and bright.
“Daycation hits that perfect sweet spot,” Jiles said. “It’s clean, crisp, incredibly well-balanced.”
Jiles said Helene significantly impacted Asheville’s brewery industry, as there was little to no water to brew. He commended the beer community for working hard to get back on its feet.
Each one of us has quite the knack for creativity. Asheville creates some of the globe’s finest beers, and every brewer ought to feel a sense of pride about this,” Jiles stated. “This is indeed a great victory for our local area.
Hi-Wire Brewing Co.
Several places such as 2A Huntsman Place and Biltmore Village.
hiwirebrewing.com
Hi-Wire Brewing Co. secured the silver medal for its Hi-Wire Lager in the International-Style Pilsner category. This marks the seventh accolade from the World Beer Cup that this brewer, established in 2013 in Asheville, has received.
As compared to the rest, this particular offering stands out for us,” stated Adam Charnack, co-founder. “The Hi-Wine Lager marks the very first brew we created. … It encapsulates all the aspects of our brand that we cherish.
Charnack stated that the lager perfectly embodies the essence of the brewery, characterizing the beverage as both ageless and traditional, straightforward yet intricate, and smooth to drink. This particular brew is their top-selling beer at their taproom locations.
He mentioned that receiving the World Beer Cup award this year amplified the feelings sparked by Helene, marking a pivotal moment for Hi-Hire as it rebounds. This May, Hi-Hire plans to relaunch its beer garden in the River Arts District, an area severely impacted by the historic storm.
We are overjoyed,” Charnack stated. “We couldn’t feel prouder.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
100 Sierra Nevada Way, located in Mills River.
sierranevada.com
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. secured the gold medal for their Weizenbock in the South German-Style Weizenbock category. Additionally, they were awarded the gold medal during both the 2024 competition and the Great American Beer Festival held in 2024.
Brian Grossman, the head brewer and second-generation owner of Sierra Nevada, stated in an email: “This is a fantastic representation of the beer style. We use traditional methods for its production and feature an authentic German yeast strain obtained from our longstanding colleagues at a renowned Bavarian brewery with historical significance. This creation highlights the commitment and excellence of our brewing staff in achieving superior craftsmanship.”
Grossman referred to Asheville as “a world-class beer destination,” mentioning that the Weizenbock is a limited edition brew accessible only at the Mills River taproom, but it might sell out quickly.
Special recognition
The North Carolina Brewers Guild and the state’s brewers received the Brewers Association’s Recognition Award for their unified effort in addressing Tropical Storm Helene.
World Beer Cup
See the full list of 2025 World Beer Cup winners here.
worldbeercup.org
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AVL Beer Week
Explore additional Asheville breweries during the citywide festivities of AVL Beer Week, taking place from May 15-29 across multiple venues. To see the full schedule of events, check out their website.
avlbeerweek.com
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Tiana Kennell serves as the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, which is affiliated with the USA Today Network. For inquiries, feedback, or tips, you can email her at tkennell@citizetimes.com or connect with her via @PrincessOfPage on both Instagram and Bluesky.
The article initially appeared on Asheville Citizen Times:
Breweries in Asheville claim Gold and Silver Medals at the World Beer Cup: Discover What Set Them Apart
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