Texas wins 19 medals at Great American Beer Festival, including these Austin breweries

Texas breweries continue to win big at one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the country this weekend.

The annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado, judged 9,298 beers across 100 categories this year. Texas managed to win 19 medals, more than in previous years. Austin breweries won three gold medals across three different categories.

The Austin winners included Vacancy Brewing and Lazarus Brewing Company, which won two gold medals. The two companies made Austin the second-highest gold medal earner in Texas, behind Houston, with four medals. Last year, Austin only won two gold medals but earned twice as many overall, according to Beer Festival records.

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Lazarus Brewing Company, a returning winner from last year, won the most medals with its beer "Crazy Horse" in the Bohemian-Style Pilsner category and "Prodigal Pils" in the German-Style Pilsner category. Having just established themselves in 2016, Lazarus Brewing won their first gold medal in 2017.

"It always feels a bit amazing to be singled out from so many great breweries," said Lazarus Brewing Company owner Christian Cryder. "Hats off to our brewers. It takes a TEAM, and I think we've got one of the best!"

Lazarus will close both locations early on Sept. 26 for a staff appreciation event.

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Vacancy Brewing won its first-ever gold medal with its "Jet Lag Lager" beer in the Other Happy Lager category. The company is a newcomer to the brewing industry, just opening its doors in 2021. They recently collaborated with Lazarus before the competition to make Italian Pilsners.

"We are incredibly humbled and proud to bring home a GABF Gold Medal for our Jet Lag Lager," said Co-Founder and Head Brewer Brent Watson. "Winning in the Hoppy Lager category adds another layer of excitement. This category melds the easy-drinking lagers that have defined Vacancy in our first few years with our love for flavorful, hoppy beers."

Great American Beer Festival 2023 winners from Texas

1. Second Pitch Brewing Co.: gold for "Hometown Lager" in the American Amber Lager category

2. Longtab Brewing Co.: gold for "DOL" In the American-Belgo-Style Ale category

3. Bankhead Brewing Co.: gold for "Hootenanny" in the Block category

4. Family Business Beer Co.: gold for "Chilis from the Grave" in the Chili Beer category

5. True Anomaly Brewing Co.: gold for "Scout" in the Contemporary American-Style Lager category

6. Saint Arnold Brewing Co.: gold for "Elissa IPA" in the English Ale category

7. Saint Arnold Brewing Co.: gold for "Fancy Lawnmower Beer" in the Golden or Blonde Ale category

8. Karbach Brewing Co.: gold for "Free & Easy Belgian Style Wine" in the Non-Alcohol Beer category

9. Real Ale Brewing Co.: gold for "Real Heavy" in the Scotch Ale category

10. Lazarus Brewing Co.: gold for "Crazy Horse" in the Bohemian Style Pilsener category

11. Lazarus Brewing Co.(Laz 2): gold for "Prodigal Pils" in the German-Style Pilsener category

12. Vacancy Brewing: gold for "Jet Lag Lager" in the Other Hoppy Lager category

13. Roadmap Brewing Co.: silver for "Derby Day" in the Historical Beer category

14. True Anomaly Brewing Co.: silver for "Sea of Waves" in the Wood and Barrel Aged Sour Beer category

15. Windmills Brewery & Restaurant: silver for "Black Market Liver" in the Wood and Barrel Aged Strong Stout category

16. Lone Man Mountain Brewing Co.: bronze for "LMM Belgian Amber" in the Belgian Style Ale category

17. Real Ale Brewing Co.: bronze for "Cruzer" in the German-Style Koelsch category

18. Bankhead Brewing Co.: bronze for "Hoofer's Hef" in the South German-Style Hefeweizen category

19. Hound Song Brewing Co.: bronze for "La Cabrona" in the Specialty Berliner-Style Weisse

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas breweries win 19 medals at 2023 Great American Beer Festival