Oak Highlands takes four nods at 2025 USBTC Summer Competition

Image credit: Oak Highlands Brewery.

Regional winners have been announced at the 31st Annual Summer Competition of the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC).

Entries to the summer edition of the USBTC are separated geographically into one of seven regions. From there, beers are examined against style guidelines covering 18 different categories, with Regional Champions identified in each category (North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest region). The seven Regional Champions within a style group are then tasted side-by-side in order to crown a Grand Champion.

And, as has become custom, Oak Highlands Brewery of Richardson was among the winners. Three of the company's small-batch beers secured regional honors, while the year-round offering Golden Mustache received a USBTC regional nod for the fifth time.

For more on the 2025 USBTC summer event, click here to visit the official competition website.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Richardson

• Royal Scottie - Regional Champion in the Amber/Red Ale category.
• Golden Mustache - Regional Champion in the Dortmunder/Helles category.
• The Heffer - Regional Champion in the Wheat Beer category.
• What Limes with Cucumber? - Regional Champion in the Fruited Sour Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands!

Oak Highlands extends streaks at 2025 USBTC Winter Competition

Image credit: Oak Highlands Brewery.

Results have been announced at the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC), which completed its 31st Annual Winter Competition this weekend.

A total of 550 beers were submitted for evaluation across 20 different categories at this year's event, with entries arriving from 176 breweries located across the country. Regional Champions were determined in 7 separate U.S. regions, then those beers were judged side-by-side to determine a Grand Champion in each style category.

North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest Region, and it's notable the only area honoree, Oak Highlands Brewery, has continued to place at USBTC gatherings since 2016 - the year after the Dallas-based brewery opened. As for the company's winning recipes for 2025, Devil's Snare and Vanilla Porter have both been Regional Champions at the USBTC for three years in a row.

For more on the 2025 USBTC Winter Competition, click here to visit the official competition website.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Bourbon Barrel Chump Change, Regional Champion in the Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
• Devil's Snare, Regional Champion in the Porter category.
• Bois D'arc, Regional Champion in the Dark Czech Lager category.
• Vanilla Porter, Regional Champion in the Bean Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands!

Celestial and Oak Highlands secure wins at 2024 USBTC Summer Competition

Image credits: Celestial Beerworks, Oak Highlands Brewery, United States Beer Tasting Championship.

Regional winners have been announced at the 30th Annual Summer Competition of the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC).

As is the norm for this event, submitted beers were evaluated across 18 different style categories, with judges singling out Regional Champions first (North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest region). Within style groups, regional winners then compete side-by-side to determine a Grand Champion for each category. This final round is still pending, with results to be released in early August. 

Local honorees include Celestial Beerworks and Oak Highlands Brewery, both of Dallas. Oak Highlands has made regular appearances on this list since 2016, while Celestial Beerworks is receiving USBTC recognition for the first time.

For more on the 2024 USBTC summer event, click here to visit the official competition website.

Celestial Beerworks, Dallas

• Stellar Remnants - Regional Champion in the Hazy IPA category.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Derelict - Regional Champion in the IPA category.
• Allgood - Regional Champion in the Cream Ale/Golden Ale/Kölsch category.
• Golden Mustache - Regional Champion in the Dortmunder/Helles category.

Cheers and congratulations to Celestial Beerworks and Oak Highlands!

Lakewood and Oak Highlands notch nine wins at 2024 USBTC Winter Competition

Image credits: United States Beer Tasting Championship, Oak Highlands Brewery, Lakewood Brewing Co.

This past weekend, the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) completed judging for its 30th Anniversary Winter Competition. And, based on the two winning breweries from North Texas, it seems there may be something in the water around a particular area of Northeast Dallas County.

Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland and Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas, breweries located just two miles apart, received recognition for their beers in 9 of the 18 available style categories while competing in the Rockies/Southwest Division of the competition.

These results are just the latest accolades for the neighboring breweries at the USBTC, whose organizers host both a summer and winter event annually. In fact, counting this year's tallies, Oak Highlands has now placed 40 times at the USBTC - dating back to 2016, while Lakewood has landed 24 awards over the same time period.

A rundown of winning beers from North Texas is provided below. For more on the 2024 USBTC Winter Competition, visit the official website at www.usbtc.com.

Lakewood Brewing Co., Garland

• Bourbon Barrel Temptress, Regional Champion in the Whiskey Barrel-Aged Porter/Stout category.
• Lion's Share XI, Regional Champion in the Barleywine category.
• Temptress, Regional Champion in the Imperial Stout category.
• Punkel, Regional Champion in the Spice/Herb Beer category.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Bourbon Barrel Freshman 15, Regional Champion in the Whiskey Barrel-Aged Beer category.
• Devil's Snare, Regional Champion in the Porter category.
• Royal Scottie, Regional Champion in the Scottish-Style Ale category.
• Vanilla Porter, Regional Champion in the Bean Beer category.
• JR All the Way, Regional Champion in the Holiday Spice Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Lakewood and Oak Highlands!

Oak Highlands adds to win totals at 2023 USBTC Summer Competition

Image credit: Oak Highlands Brewery.

The United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) has announced the winners from its 29th Annual Summer Competition.

Overall, a total 165 breweries submitted 696 beers to the event, with entries broken down into 18 different style categories. As always, judges identified Regional Champions first (North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest region), then pitted the best beers from each region against each other to determine a Grand Champion.

As for local results, Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas once again found itself among the winners, continuing a run of USBTC placements dating back to 2016 (the brewery opened in July 2015). In fact, Oak Highlands has now been recognized well over 30 times over the course of its history at the USBTC. Not only that, one beer from this year's group, Golden Mustache, is now a four-time Regional Champion.

For more on the 2023 USBTC summer event, click here for a full competition summary.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Allgood - Regional Champion in the Golden Ale/Kölsch category.
• Chump Change - Regional Champion in the Belgian/French Specialty category.
• Golden Mustache - Regional Champion in the Dortmunder/Helles category.
• Guavagood - Regional Champion in the Fruit Beer category.
• Shandy - Regional Champion in the Radler/Shandy category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands!

Oak Highlands finishes with four winners at 2023 USBTC Winter Competition

Freaky Deaky, a Belgian-style tripel from Oak Highlands, is a four-time USBTC winner (Oak Highlands Brewery).

Results are in from the 29th Annual Winter Competition of the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC), with Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas being the lone North Texas entity to appear on the winners list.

Overall, a total of 568 beers from 173 breweries were entered and examined across 19 different style categories. As before, the USBTC picked regional winners in each category - North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest division, with those beers advancing to a final round to determine a national grand champion.

One interesting note from this year's event is that winners were not declared in five categories within the Rockies/Southwest division. Perhaps that's a sign more North Texas brewers should consider entering the competition.

As for Oak Highlands, four of the brewery's entries received regional honors. Those beers are listed below, or you can click here for a full competition summary.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Bourbon Barrel Freshman 15, Regional Champion in the Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
• Devil's Snare, Regional Champion in the Porter category.
• Freaky Deaky, Regional Champion in the Belgian-Style Ale category.
• Vanilla Porter, Regional Champion in the Bean Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands!

Oak Highlands, Rahr & Sons build on wins at 2022 USBTC Summer Competition

Image credits: United States Beer Tasting Championship, Oak Highlands Brewery, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

Winners from the 28th Annual Summer Competition of the United States Beer Tasting Beer Championship (USBTC) have been announced, with Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas and Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth repeating past history and again landing on the list of winners.

The 2022 edition of the USBTC's summer event drew 726 entries from 180 breweries. Submissions were examined across 18 different style categories, with the best beers separated out by region. Regional Champions then competed to determine a national Grand Champion.

At the close of judging, eight North Texas beers were named Regional Champion in the Rockies/Southwest Division, while one beer - Tipsy Goat from Oak Highlands - went on to be named Grand Champion in the Helles Bock category.

A complete rundown of local winners is given below, or you can click here for a full competition summary.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Monk's Lunch, Regional Champion in the Belgian/French Specialty category.
• Wit-House, Regional Champion in the Belgian Wit category.
• Tipsy Goat, Regional and Grand Champion in the Helles Bock category.
• Golden Mustache, Regional Champion in the Dortmunder/Helles category.
• DFDub, Regional Champion in the Wheat Beer category.
• ClassiRyed Strong Ale, Regional Champion in the Multigrain category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Ruff Ale, Regional Champion in the Fruit Beer category.
• Brut Rose, Regional Champion in the Fruited Sour Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands and Rahr & Sons!

Eight regional, two grand champions crowned at 2021-22 USBTC winter event

Image credits: United States Beer Tasting Championship, Oak Highlands Brewery, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

Results have been revealed from the 28th Annual Winter Competition of the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC). And, stop me if you've heard these names in relation to the USBTC before, but Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas and Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth have once again found themselves among the winners.

This year's winter gathering drew 556 entries from 142 breweries, and judges evaluated those beers across 19 different style categories. Just as a reminder, the USBTC picks regional winners in each category during the competition (North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest division), with chosen beers advancing to a final round to determine a national grand champion.

Overall, eight North Texas beers were named Regional Champion during the event. Two of those, Drunken Santa and Winter Warmer from Rahr & Sons, also went on to be named Grand Champion in their respective categories.

A complete list of winning beers from North Texas is provided below, or you can click here for a full competition summary.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• White Wine Freaky Deaky, Regional Champion in the Non-Whiskey Aged Beer category.
• Freaky Deaky, Regional Champion in the Belgian-Style Ale category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Winter Warmer, Regional and Grand Champion in the Strong Ale category.
• Drunken Santa, Regional and Grand Champion in the Holiday Spice Beer category.
• Bourbon Barrel-Aged Winter Warmer, Regional Champion in the Whiskey Aged Beer category.
• Iron Thistle, Regional Champion in the Scottish-Style Ale category.
• Ugly Pug, Regional Champion in the Dark Lager/Dunkel category.
• Rumpy, Regional Champion in the Spice Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands and Rahr & Sons!

Familiar names among winners at 2021 USBTC summer competition

Image credits: United States Beer Tasting Championship, Oak Highlands Brewery, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Lakewood Brewing Co.

Building on recent wins at the 2020-21 winter edition of the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC), Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland, Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas, and Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth secured additional honors at the organization's 27th Annual Summer Competition.

The USBTC's summer event drew 775 entries from 177 breweries, with these beers evaluated across 18 different style categories. From this pool, six North Texas beers from the above list of breweries were named Regional Champion in the Rockies/Southwest Division.

Local winners are summarized below, or you can click here for a full competition summary.

Lakewood Brewing Co., Garland

• Lakewood Live - Vol 1, Regional Champion in the Belgian/French Specialty category.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Tipsy Goat, Regional Champion in the Bock/Doppelbock category.
• Golden Mustache, Regional Champion in the Dortmunder/Helles category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Summertime Wheat, Regional Champion in the Wheat Beer category.
• Fritz's Funkberry, Regional Champion in the Sour Beer category.
• Adios Pantalones, Regional Champion in the Session Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

Eleven regional, two grand champions emerge from 2020-21 USBTC winter event

Image credits: United States Beer Tasting Championship

The United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) has announced results from its 27th Annual Winter Competition, and three North Texas breweries are among the winners.

This year's winter event drew 544 entries from 151 breweries, with these beers judged across 19 different style categories. As always, regional winners were chosen in each category during the competition (North Texas breweries compete in the Rockies/Southwest division), then pitted against each other in a final round to determine a national grand champion.

Overall, eleven North Texas beers were named Regional Champion, with two of those going on to be crowned Grand Champion. Top honorees include Lion's Share VIII from Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland, and Iron Thistle from Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth.

A complete list of winning beers from North Texas is provided below, or you can click here for a full competition summary.

Lakewood Brewing Co., Garland

• Lion's Share VIII, Regional and Grand Champion in the Non-whiskey Aged Beer category.
  
• Bourbon Barrel Temptress, Regional Champion in the Whiskey Aged Porter/Stout category
• The Temptress, Regional Champion in the Imperial Stout category.
• Lakewood Lager, Regional Champion in the Vienna/Märzen Lager category.
• Punkel, Regional Champion in the Spice Beer category.
• Salted Caramel Temptress, Regional Champion in the Experimental Beer category.
  
  

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Bois D'arc, Regional Champion in the Dark Lager/Dunkel category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Iron Thistle, Regional and Grand Champion in the Scottish-Style Ale category.
  
• Bourbon Barrel-Aged Winter Warmer, Regional Champion in the Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
• Winter Warmer, Regional Champion in the Strong Ale category.
• Dadgum Coffee IPA, Regional Champion in the Coffee Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

Oak Highlands, Rahr & Sons winners again at USBTC

Image credits: United States Beer Tasting Championship, Oak Highlands Brewery, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

Continuing runs dating back multiple years, two local breweries have once again taken regional honors for their beers at the United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC). Including tallies from 2020, Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas and Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth now boast overall USBTC win totals in the double digits.

As to be expected, the pandemic has put a crimp on competition results for 2020, but the USBTC powered through and went ahead with its 26th Annual Summer Competition. During the event, 595 beers from 164 breweries were judged across 18 different categories. Like before, regional winners were chosen in each category, with those beers moving on to a subsequent round to determine a national grand champion.

Products from Rahr & Sons and Oak Highlands competed in the Rockies/Southwest division. A breakdown of their winning beers is provided below, or you can click here for a full competition summary.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Resting Bitter Face, Regional Champion in the Imperial IPA/Red Ale category.
• Tipsy Goat, Regional Champion in the Bock/Doppelbock category.
• Golden Mustache, Regional Champion in the Dortmunder/Helles category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Texas Red, Regional Champion in the Amber/Red Ale category.
• Summertime Wheat, Regional Champion in the Wheat Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands and Rahr & Sons!

Three NTX breweries recognized at 2020 USBTC winter event

Image credit: United States Beer Tasting Championship.

Three local breweries are among the winners at the 26th Annual United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) Winter Competition.

This year's winter event drew 465 entries from 154 breweries, with those beers evaluated across 17 different categories. As always, regional winners were chosen in each category, then matched against each other in order to determine an overall grand champion.

One North Texas beer, The Temptress from Lakewood Brewing Co., was named a Winter Grand Champion, while 10 local brews were recognized as Regional Champions. Check out the list of locals below, or click here to see a complete competition summary.

Lakewood Brewing Co., Garland

• The Temptress, Grand Champion in the Imperial Stout category.
• Barrel-Aged Temptress, Regional Champion in the Whiskey-Aged Porter/Stout category.
• Cuvée De Vélo, Regional Champion in the Non-Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
• Texas Porter, Regional Champion in the Porter category.
• French Quarter Temptress, Regional Champion in the Bean Beer category.

Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Chump Change, Regional Champion in the Whiskey-Aged Beer category.
• Freaky Deaky, Regional Champion in the Belgian-Style Ale category.
• Oktoberfest, Regional Champion in the Vienna/Märzen Lager category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Winter Warmer, Regional Champion in the Strong Ale category.
• Iron Thistle, Regional Champion in the Scottish-Style Ale category.
• Paleta de Mango, Regional Champion in the Experimental Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

Oak Highlands, Rahr & Sons among regional winners at 2019 USBTC

Image credit: United States Beer Tasting Championship.

The United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) has announced the winners from its 25th Annual Summer Competition.

A total of 538 beers from 174 breweries were evaluated at the 2019 event, with entries divided into 17 different categories. Regional winners were chosen in each category, then pitted against each other in order to determine a national grand champion.

Products from North Texas competed in the Rockies/Southwest division, with two local breweries taking top regional honors for multiple styles. Those award-winning brews are listed below, while a complete list of winners may be found by clicking here.


Oak Highlands Brewery, Dallas

• Charity, Regional Champion in the Amber/Red Ale category.
• Swervy Spring Ale, Regional Champion in the Golden Ale/Kölsch category.
• Tipsy Goat, Regional Champion in the Bock/Doppelbock category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., Fort Worth

• Rahr's Blonde, Regional Champion in the Dortmunder/Helles category.
• Summertime Wheat, Regional Champion in the Wheat Beer category.
• Paleta de Mango, Regional Champion in the Fruit Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to Oak Highlands and Rahr & Sons!

Oak Highlands honored at 2018 San Diego International Beer Competition

Image credit: San Diego International Beer Competition.

It seems the brewing industry has hit upon an awards season of sorts, as results from the 2018 San Diego International Beer Competition have been released after the completion of judging at the event in mid-April.

Working from a more refined list of styles compared to other recent competitions, the 2018 installment of the San Diego International Beer Competition accepted entries to only 56 categories (including ciders and meads). Beers were judged in a closed, blind event according to guidelines derived from those published by the Brewers Association.

Perusing the list of winners, only one recognized brewery hails from North Texas, as Oak Highlands Brewery of Dallas was awarded a gold medal for its year-round tripel, Freaky Deaky.

Oak Highlands Brewery

• Gold for Freaky Deaky in the Belgian-Style Pale Strong Ale category.

The win represents the second notable honor bestowed upon Oak Highlands in recent months. Earlier this year, the brewery was named Grand Champion in the Low_ABV Aged Beer category for Red Wine Hypocrite at the 2018 United States Beer Championship.

Nineteen North Texas beers recognized at 2017 USBTC Winter Competition

Image credit: USBTC.

Results are in from the 2017 United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) Winter Competition, with the list of recognized beers including 19 from North Texas.

A total of 480 beers from 133 breweries were judged at this year's event. Beers were broken down into 16 categories and rated on a hedonic scale, which indicates the overall pleasure achieved from the taste experience. Aroma, flavor, balance, complexity and mouthfeel are all considered in determining a beer's score, with winners (top honors and honorable mention) reported by region. Products from North Texas compete against other breweries located in the Rockies/Southwest region of the United States.

In addition to the winners listed below, Lion's Share IV from Lakewood Brewing Co. won out over 27 other beers to be named Grand Champion (across all regions) in the Non-whiskey Barrel Aged Beer category, while Pumpkin Ale from Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. placed above 28 other beers to be named Grand Champion in the Pumpkin Beer category.


Cobra Brewing Co.

• All Eyez on Me, honorable mention in the Imperial Stout category.
• Best Mistake Stout, honorable mention in the Stout category.

Lakewood Brewing Co.

• Bourbon Barrel Temptress, top honors in the Whiskey Barrel Aged Beer category.
• Thread Spinner, honorable mention in the Whiskey Barrel Aged Beer category.
• Lion's Share IV, top honors in the Non-whiskey Aged Beer category.
• Holiday Bonus, honorable mention in the Porter category.
• Mole Temptress, honorable mention in the Spice Beer category.
• French Quarter Temptress, honorable mention in the Bean Beer category.

Oak Highlands Brewery

• White Wine Freaky Deaky, honorable mention in the Non-whiskey Aged Beer category.
• Freaky Deaky, honorable mention in the Belgian-Style Ale category.
• Oktoberfest, top honors in the Vienna/Märzen Lager category.
• Vanilla Porter, top honors in the Bean Beer category.

Peticolas Brewing Co.

• Black Curtains, top honors in the Imperial Stout category.
• Great Scot!, top honors in the Scottish-Style Ale category.
• A Lost Epic, top honors in the Belgian-Style Ale category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

• Winter Warmer, top honors in the Strong Ale category.
• Ugly Pug, top honors in the Dark Lager/Dunkel category.
• Pumpkin Ale, top honors in the Pumpkin Beer category.
• Angry Santa, top honors in the Spice Beer category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!

Nine North Texas beers honored at 2016 USBTC Winter Competition

Image credit: United States Beer
Tasting Championship.

The United States Beer Tasting Championship (USBTC) has released the list of winners from its 22nd annual Winter Competition. For this year's event, a total of 550 beers from 167 breweries were judged in 16 different categories.

Judging for the USBTC differs from other competitions in that entries are first split out by region, with a regional winner determined for each category. Top entries from six identified regions are then pitted head-to-head in order to determine a Grand Champion for each style. Entrants from North Texas compete alongside other beers in the Rockies/Southwest region, with beers from other parts of the country competing in one of five remaining regions: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic/Southwest, Midwest, California, and Pacific Northwest.

Among the winners, Four Swords from Deep Ellum Brewing Co. beat out 33 other beers to be named Grand Champion in the Belgian-Style Ale category. It and other entries from North Texas brewers took regional top honors as follows (click here for a complete list of winners):


Deep Ellum Brewing Company

• Barrel Aged Oak Cliff Coffee Ale in the Spice Beer category.
• Darkest Hour in the Imperial Stout category.
• Four Swords in the Belgian-Style Ale category.

Lakewood Brewing Company

• Bourbon Barrel Temptress in the Whiskey Barrel Aged Beer Category.
• French Quarter Temptress in the Bean Beer category.

Oak Highlands Brewery

• Freaky Deaky in the Belgian-Style Tripel category.

Peticolas Brewing Company

• Great Scot! in the Scottish-Style Ale category.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Company

• Oktoberfest in the Vienna/Märzen Lager category.
• Ugly Pug in the Dark Lager/Dunkel category.

Cheers and congratulations to all!