Indianapolis brewery took home the highest honor at the most prestigious professional beer competition in the world, and the largest GABF competition to date.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Metazoa Brewing Company was awarded Brewery Group Brewery of the Year and Brewery Group Brewer of the Year at the 2021 Great American Beer Festival® (GABF) competition, presented by the Brewers Association. Metazoa Brewing was chosen out of 2,192 breweries from all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Additionally, Metazoa Brewing was awarded two gold medals and a bronze medal in three beer categories.
“In my opinion, winning a Brewery of the Year award at the Great American Beer Festival is the highest competition honor that an American brewery can receive,” said Nick Betzner, Director of Brewer Operations, Metazoa Brewing. “It is humbling to receive this recognition, and this amazing honor wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of our incredible production team.”
For the 2021 GABF competition, the best beers in 91 beer categories covering 170 different beer styles (including all subcategories) were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals during a virtual ceremony Friday, September 10, hosted on The Brewing Network.
Along with receiving the Brewery of the Year award, Metazoa Brewing Company was also recognized in three beer-style categories. Trash Panda, which won a gold medal in the Coffee Beer category, is a coffee blonde brewed with coffee from Blue Mind Roasting and finished with marshmallow for sweetness. Rosie the River Otter, which won a gold medal in the Herb & Spice Beer category, is a ruby-colored blonde ale bursting with floral and fruit flavors derived from the addition of real plums and hibiscus. Go Ape-ricot, which won a bronze medal in the Specialty Saison category, is a classic farmhouse ale with apricot puree, adding fruitiness and a slightly tart finish.
“We continually come up with new ways to improve our practices, and the team always rises to these new challenges,” Betzner said. “I want to thank our loyal customers for Metazoa’s success. We are blessed to have such loyal fans who have supported us for the last 5 and a half years.”
Judging took place in 34 sessions over 17 days with strict health and safety measures in place. 170 judges evaluated 9,680 entries from more than 2,000 breweries from across the country.
“Despite being forced to cancel the festival portion of GABF, our brewing community rallied together to make this year’s GABF competition one for the books — our largest competition judged to date,” said Chris Swersey, competition director, Great American Beer Festival. “Judges continue to be impressed with the quality and innovation of all entries they evaluated. The Brewers Association is proud to honor this year’s deserving winners.”
For more information on the GABF competition, including a complete 2021 winners list and photos, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.
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About Metazoa Brewing Co.
At Metazoa Brewing Co., balance is our guiding philosophy. A craft brewery in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, we create a wide range of true-to-style traditional ales and quirky experimental styles – always easy drinking, but big on flavor. Since day one we’ve donated 5% of our profits to animal and wildlife organizations to give back to the planet that gives us beer.
Drink beer. Help animals.
Taylor Williams, Director of Marketing & Events
taylor@metazoa.beer
765.635.7978