The World's Best American-Style IPA Crowned at the 2024 World Beer Cup
IPAs were once again some of the most popular styles of beer in the competition.
The winners of the 2024 World Beer Cup were announced on Wednesday, April 24, on the final day of the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America at the Venetian Convention and Expo Center in Las Vegas, NV. The premier event, hosted by the Brewers Association, is the largest beer competition in the world, representing over 2,000 breweries across 50 countries.
All in all, awards were given to the best beers in 110 categories, covering 172 different beer styles. Of the top-entered categories, the IPAs once again reigned supreme, with different styles of the beer (American, West Coast, Juicy or Hazy) taking up three of the top five categories. American-Style India Pale Ales alone received 213 entries, and the gold medal ultimately went to an IPA called High 6 from Highland Park Brewery, in the Chinatown neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.
According to Untappd, at 7.2 percent ABV, the High 6 is loaded with Mosaic, HBC 586, & Idaho 7 hops. It's described as a "clear beer with vibrant aromas of blackberry, coconut, and tangerine."
In second place with the silver medal was the Hop-Fu! from North Park Beer Co. in San Diego, CA. Clinching the bronze was an IPA called the Single Cone from Alvarado Street Brewery in Salinas, CA.
The winner were selected following an intense 14 sessions spanning seven days. In total, 9,300 entries were evaluated by a panel of 280 judges hailing from 37 countries around the world.
“Each award represents not only exceptional quality but also innovation and creativity, driving the global craft beer industry forward,” said Chris Williams, World Beer Cup competition director in a statement. "This year’s winners exemplify the spirit of craftsmanship and ingenuity and showcase the diverse flavors and techniques that make beer an art form. Congratulations to this year’s winners for their outstanding achievements in brewing."
See the full list of winners in all 110 categories here.