The Annual Beer Awards is a Fun Competition Bring Our Industry Together.
Loudoun County, Virginia’s 40+ breweries are gearing up to compete for brewing glory in the Annual Loudoun Beer Awards, happening at Lark Brewing Co. Brewers will go head-to-head for one of 10 prestigious gold medals across a variety of beer categories, showcasing the incredible diversity and craftsmanship of Loudoun’s craft beer community.
The excitement doesn’t stop there, one beer will rise above the rest to claim the ultimate honor of "Best in Show", awarded to the top beer across all 10 categories. This is your chance to witness brewing excellence and celebrate the passion and creativity that define Loudoun’s beer scene.
Mark your calendars and get ready to cheer on your favorite breweries as they battle it out for craft beer supremacy!
The Loudoun County Brewers Association proudly invites you to participate in the 2nd Annual Loudoun Beer Awards Competition, celebrating the creativity, quality, and craftsmanship of our local brewing community. This event gives Loudoun and Clarke County breweries the chance to showcase their best beers and earn well-deserved recognition among peers and fans alike. In conjunction with VA250 our theme for 2026 is “Brewing A Revolution”
ENTRY FEES
LCBA Members: First 5 entries are FREE. Additional entries $25 each (maximum 10 total = $125).
Non-Member Breweries (Loudoun/Clarke County): $50 per entry (maximum 10 total = $500).
Once your form is submitted, an invoice will be emailed for payment within a few days.
Renew Your LCBA Membership: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/K7T3UE77PNMAE
Join the LCBA: https://www.loudounbeer.org/membership-application
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Eligibility: Open exclusively to breweries located in Loudoun County and Clarke County, Virginia. All entries must be fermented on the submitting brewery's licensed premises. Contract-brewed beers are not eligible.
Categories: Breweries may submit up to 10 beers across 10 categories. Multiple entries per category are allowed.
Online Submission Deadline: January 8, 2026
Beer Drop-Off: Thursday, January 8, 2026
Beer Drop-Off Locations: Harvest Gap Brewing - January 8, 2026 10a-7p 5485 Purcellville Rd, Hillsboro, VA 20132.
We are also holding the LCBA Annual Meeting @ Harvest Gap Brewing on Thursday Jan 8, 2025 from 3p-5p. This would be a great time to drop off your beer and stay for our Annual Meeting and elections!!
BEER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Each beer entry must include a minimum of 32 oz, packaged in 2 to 4 individual containers. Acceptable formats include:
2–4 cans (12 oz or 16 oz)
2–4 bottles (12 oz or 16 oz)
2 crowlers/growlers (16 oz, 32 oz, or 64 oz)
Any combination totaling at least 32 oz in 2 or more packages
This ensures enough product for preliminary judging, backup containers in case of issues (breakage), and sufficient beer for medal rounds if an entry advances. It also ensures consistency across all entries.
SUBMISSION LABELING REQUIREMENTS
Please clearly mark each container with the following
1. Submitting Brewery Name:
2. Submission Category:
3. Beer Name:
JUDGING
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of certified judges, industry professionals, and craft beer enthusiasts.
Judging Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026, Noon–6 PM at Harvest Gap Brewing, in conjunction with the Blue Ridge Cattlemen Association's Chili Cookoff.
AWARDS CEREMONY
Winners will be announced at the 2nd Annual Loudoun Beer Awards on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Lark Brewing Co.
Important Dates
Online Submission Deadline: January 8, 2026.
Beer Drop Off: By Thursday, January 8, 2026
at Harvest Gap Brewing, 15485 Purcellville Rd, Hillsboro, VA 20132
Judging Date: Sunday January 11, 2026, at Harvest Gap Brewing in conjunction with the Blue Ridge Cattlemen Association 1st Annual Chili Cook Off
Submission Categories:
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IPA: Showcase the bold, hoppy flavors that define this iconic and beloved style.
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Hazy IPA: Highlight the juicy, aromatic allure of this fan-favorite variation.
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Wheat Beer: Recognize excellence in wheat-forward brews, including hefeweizens, witbiers, and other styles.
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Dark Ales: Honor the rich, complex flavors of stouts, porters, and other dark ale styles.
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Light Ales: Celebrate crisp, refreshing ales that are perfect for any occasion.
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Light Lager: Shine a spotlight on clean, easy-drinking lagers that are staples in the craft beer world.
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Dark Lager: Applaud the deep, malty character of dark lagers and bocks.
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Fruited Beers: Recognize creativity in beers featuring fruit-forward flavors and innovative recipes.
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Old World / International Styles: Celebrate the timeless appeal of classic beer styles from brewing traditions around the globe.
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Hard Alternatives: Honor innovation in beverages like hard seltzers, teas, sodas, and other alternatives.
