The San Diego International Beer Competition is the largest beer festival on the American west coast, attracting thousands of craft beer fans each year. In addition, the fest is also a competition and organizers just recently announced that entries into the competition are now open and will remain open until March 9, 2018.
This competitive event features 57 different beer categories this year, including popular and well- known categories like American pale ale to more specialized categories like chili beers. The competition is open to any licensed brewery, brewpub, cidery, or meadery. The cost per entry is $50, up to a maximum of eight entries per brewery, cidery, or meadery.
Last year’s competition saw more than 1,500 entries from 300 breweries, representing 23 different U.S. states and 20 different countries. The expectations are even greater this year, as the brewery count in the United States has now surpassed 6,000. Tom Nickel, competition coordinator, encourages breweries large and small to enter their beers into the contest, both for professional recognition and international comparison.
“Not only is this a chance to compete against the best beers from around the country, but also to stack up your brews against beers from around the globe,” said Nickel. “San Diego is a hotbed for craft brewing and this competition brings together fantastic beers and world-class judges.”
Judging will take place on April 13- 15, 2018, with winners announced on April 27, 2018. The festival itself takes place during the San Diego County Fair, held June 15- 17, 2018. All participating breweries, cideries, etc will receive a minimum of four passes to the event and a pair of commemorative t- shirts. Most important of all, participants will have the chance to win gold, silver, and bronze medals as well as potential bragging rights if their beer is selected as one of the winners. The top prize of the event is the coveted Best of Show Trophy, awarded by the San Diego Brewers Guild.
Here is a quick recap of the important facts and figures:
EVENT: San Diego International Beer Competition and Festival
WHAT: Entry to the West Coast’s largest beer competition, which is now open and runs through March 9, 2018
WHO: Any licensed brewery, brewpub, meadery or cidery can enter
COST: $50 per entry until March 9; maximum of eight entries
WHERE: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA
WHEN: Judging for the beer competition is April 13-15; the festival is June 15-17 during the San Diego County Fair
INFO: sandiegobeerfestival.com
If you are not involved with a brewery or related business, keep in mind that this is also a festive beer tasting occasion and is open to the public, age 21 and up. Tickets exist at different levels and are scheduled to go on sale beginning in March, 2018. The fun is just around the corner, so continue to check the San Diego International Beer Festival web site or visit back here at Great Beer Now for more information as it becomes available.
Interesting information. I have no clue about beers though…