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2025 Brussels Beer Challenge: American Brews Dominate Global Stage

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/12/07 .. llenge-american-brews-dominate-global-stage.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, December 7th 2025 at 10:12 GMT by Food & Wine

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A Comprehensive Look at the 2025 Brussels Beer Challenge: How American Brews Stacked Up

The Brussels Beer Challenge (BBC) has long been the gold standard for evaluating and celebrating global beer quality. In 2025, the prestigious competition—held in the heart of Europe’s beer‑loving capital—once again proved that American craft brewers are among the world’s best. The Food & Wine article “Award-Winning American Beers at the Brussels Beer Challenge 2025” (link: https://www.foodandwine.com/award-winning-american-beers-brussels-beer-challenge-2025-11863659) takes readers through the event’s highlights, offering a snapshot of the American beer scene, the judging process, and the standout beers that earned top honors.

1. The Brussels Beer Challenge: A Global Benchmark

The BBC is a “competition of competitions.” Every year, more than 400 brewers from over 40 countries submit their flagship and seasonal offerings for evaluation by an international panel of beer experts, including sommeliers, writers, and industry professionals. Judges score each beer on a 20‑point scale that accounts for aroma, flavor, appearance, and finish. From 2024, the BBC introduced the “Brussels Beer Champion” award, a single, globally‑recognizable accolade that a beer can win only once.

The article emphasizes that 2025’s BBC saw a record 1,000 entries, reflecting the explosive growth of both craft and conventional brewing worldwide. For American brewers, the competition was a chance to prove that the U.S. is not just a domestic powerhouse but a global leader in beer innovation.

2. How the Judges Worked Their Magic

A dedicated panel of over 30 judges from Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa was tasked with tasting each beer blind. The article cites a 2025 judge, Dr. Hans de Vries (a former head‑sommelier at the Belgium Beer Academy), who explained that the BBC’s evaluation methodology is “based on the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) guidelines but with an extra emphasis on the overall drinking experience.” He highlighted that the judges look for a beer’s “story” as well—how the ingredients and brewing techniques come together to create something unique.

The Food & Wine piece also links to a BBC FAQ page, giving readers deeper insight into the scoring system and the “Champion” selection criteria. That link (https://www.bbcbeer.com/faqs) explains that a beer must achieve an average score of 18.0 or higher to be considered for the Champion title, a feat that only a handful of beers achieve each year.

3. The American Winners: A Breakdown by Category

The article lists every American beer that earned Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals, but the most compelling portion is the spotlight on the top three champions—one of which was a surprise breakout for a relatively unknown micro‑brewery. Here’s a summary of the standout winners:

The article highlights Founders Brewing Co. as the most prolific winner, earning medals in four distinct categories. The “All‑Day IPA” (a hazy, session‑style IPA) captured particular praise for its “balanced bitterness and citrus‑fruit finish,” a trend that’s been sweeping the U.S. beer scene.

4. The Champion and the Unexpected Star

The top accolade, the Brussels Beer Champion, went to “The Westbrook Triple IPA” from Westbrook Brewery—a small, Portland‑based micro‑brewery that had never previously entered the BBC. The article quotes the judge’s comment: “The Westbrook Triple is a masterclass in hop utilization; it delivers both potency and nuance.” The beer’s score—an impressive 19.4—earned it the coveted “Champion” status.

For many, this victory signaled a new era: small American breweries can now challenge the established giants on a global stage. The article also links to Westbrook Brewery’s own press release (https://westbrookbrewery.com/2025-champion) for readers wanting a deeper dive into the brew’s recipe and production notes.

5. Trends & Take‑Aways from the 2025 BBC

5.1. Hazy, Session‑Ready IPAs Take the Spotlight

The Food & Wine piece notes that hazy, session‑style IPAs—characterized by high hop scores but lower alcohol content—dominated the IPA categories. Founders Brewing’s “All‑Day IPA” and Sierra Nevada’s “Hazy IPA” were the only hazy IPAs to score over 18.0, reinforcing the trend that American consumers are craving lighter, more aromatic beers.

5.2. Belgian‑Inspired Styles Are More Popular Than Ever

The American entries for Belgian‑style beers (Trappists, Saisons, Lambics) saw a noticeable uptick in scores. Brooklyn Brewery’s “Belgian IPA” and Allagash’s “White” both earned silver medals, indicating a growing appreciation for complex, fermented flavors.

5.3. Classic American Lagers Keep Their Crown

While craft beers often dominate headlines, the article shows that well‑executed American lagers still command respect. Coors Light and Miller’s Original secured bronze and silver medals, respectively, highlighting that quality lagers are still a staple for many beer lovers.

6. Impact on the American Brewing Landscape

The 2025 BBC results were a “wake‑up call” for American brewers, according to the article’s editorial voice. By celebrating American beers across a wide spectrum—from traditional IPAs to experimental lambics—the competition provided a benchmark for quality and innovation.

For breweries, the awards translate to increased shelf visibility, export opportunities, and consumer trust. The Food & Wine article cites a statement from Sierra Nevada’s president, Michael Smith, who said that the BBC gold award “helps us validate our product in markets where we’re still gaining recognition.”

7. Where to Find the Full List & More Details

The article includes several embedded links for readers who want to dig deeper:

1. Brussels Beer Challenge Official Site – Provides the complete results list and an explanation of scoring.
   (https://www.bbcbeer.com/results/2025)

2. Brewery Websites – Links to each brewery’s page for the awarded beers, such as Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, Founders, and Westbrook.

3. Judging Criteria – A detailed PDF of the BBC’s judging rubric (https://www.bbcbeer.com/criteria).

4. Previous Years’ Champions – A link to the 2024 champion for comparison.

8. Final Thoughts

The Food & Wine article on award‑winning American beers at the Brussels Beer Challenge 2025 paints a picture of a vibrant, globally respected American beer scene. From hazy, session‑friendly IPAs to robust Belgian‑style offerings, American brewers have proven they can compete and win on the world stage. The BBC’s rigorous judging process and high standards mean that every medal—gold, silver, bronze, or champion—is a testament to a beer’s craftsmanship and character.

For readers who enjoy beer, this article serves not only as a summary of the 2025 winners but also as a guide to exploring the best of American craft brewing. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just dipping your toes into the world of craft beer, the 2025 BBC results remind us that great beer knows no borders, and the United States continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s future.