Gloucester Brewing Co. earns silver medal for its Low Ground Brown AleDate: August 12, 2026

The Gloucester Brewing Company earned a silver medal Monday in the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild’s 2026 Virginia Craft Beer Cup competition, which was recognized during the Virginia Craft Beer Summit and Gala at the Farm Bureau Center in Doswell.

In the category of Brown Ales, the Gloucester Brewing Company took silver for its Low Ground variety.

This year’s competition featured 347 beer entries and brought together 36 judges to evaluate beers in a wide range of styles.

“The Virginia Craft Beer Cup has assembled one of the most credentialed judging panels a regional competition can field, with 94.4 percent of its 36 judges holding official BJCP rank, up from 91 percent the year prior, and 91.7 percent certified or higher, a bar that places this event’s evaluation standards on par with national-caliber competitions,” said head judge Charlie Harr.

Judging rounds were hosted earlier this year at The Veil Brewing Co.’s Operations Facility. New this year, the Guild introduced a Pro-Am category, allowing professional breweries and home brewers to collaborate and enter joint creations in the competition.

“Virginia brewers continue to produce exceptional beers,” said Stacie Gordon, Executive Director of the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild. “The Virginia Craft Beer Cup is an opportunity to celebrate the talent, innovation, and dedication of our independent craft breweries while recognizing the beers that exemplify excellence in brewing.”