The 2026 Oregon Beer Awards celebration begins
Josh Pfriem and Gavin Lord at the 2020 Oregon Beer Awards
The academy awards of Oregon Beer is almost here. The 11th annual Oregon Beer Awards will commence 6-days of judging over 1,000 beers in a rigorous double-blind competition with categories designed to reflect the current status of the industry this Friday. Over 80 judges from across the country are converging in Portland for the world-class competition with winners announced at a gala Oscars-style ceremony at Revolution Hall announcing the winners on April 2nd.
Tickets for the celebration are open to the public as well as to the industry heavy party that packs multiple floors and 3+ bars at the Revolution Hall theater at 1300 SE Stark St #203, Portland, OR 97214. Much more than a stodgy Awards announcement, the OBA’s are emceed by Ben Love of Gigantic Brewing and Natalie Baldwin of Wayfinder Beer, with a live streamed and in-person red carpet pre-show hosted by Von Ebert’s own Madeleine “Maddy” McCarthy. The ceremony includes live comedy and music, pre-taped sketch comedy, a hall of fame tribute, and spontaneous introductions and acceptance speeches by sponsors, brewers, brewery owners and craft beer scene personalities.
First held in 2015, the Oregon Beer Awards have evolved from awards voted upon solely by industry insiders and into one of the most rigorously judged competitions in the world. Unlike other beer competitions, the Oregon Beer Awards Style Guidelines are designed, redesigned, and updated annually to keep categories competitive and cutting edge to current standards and flavored palates. Each beer is tasted and reviewed by at least three separate groups of judges before passing beyond the preliminary round of judging before moving their way up through multiple bracketed style rounds to potentially be awarded a bronze, silver or gold medal.
Non-brewing excellence in the beer industry is also recognized at the Oregon Beer Awards. A group of hundreds of industry professionals votes in the OBA academy awards which highlight individuals, brands, and experiences that make Oregon beer special in categories such as: Best Beer Bar, Best Bottleshop, Best New Brewery, Best Beer Labels/Branding, Craft Advocate of the Year, Best New Beer Destination, Regional Brewery of the Year, and the hallowed Oregon beer Hall of Fame inductee.
Come see what beers take the gold and taste the winners from previous OBA’s with a full tap takeover of the bars at Revolution Hall, and a special 4-tap pop-up bar curated by John I. Haass! Doors open and the red carpet Livestream begins at 5pm. Stage presentations and awards from 6-8 PM.
This years' awards are presented by Yakima Chief Hops.
2026 Oregon Beer Awards
Thursday, April 2nd doors 5pm, show 6-8pm
Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St #203
