{"id":775207,"date":"2026-05-05T15:53:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:53:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/775207\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T15:53:15","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:53:15","slug":"san-antonio-area-breweries-score-world-beer-cup-medals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/775207\/","title":{"rendered":"San Antonio-area breweries score World Beer Cup medals"},"content":{"rendered":"

After a year of discouraging news in San Antonio\u2019s beer scene, local brewers have reason to celebrate. An Alamo City Belgian blonde honoring Allied troops vanquished the 2026 World Beer Cup. Elsewhere, a handful of its Hill Country peers are sporting their own medals of valor.<\/p>\n

Brewing history<\/strong>
<\/strong>Although plenty of Texas brewers went home with bragging rights, <\/strong>Longtab Brewing Co. <\/strong><\/a>was the lone San Antonio producer to receive a medal at April\u2019s prestigious World Beer Cup<\/a>. The Northwest Side brewery\u2019s Jedburgh Belgian Blonde nabbed a silver medal in the Belgian-Style Blonde Ale category.<\/p>\n

The beer is an easy sipper but pays homage to pivotal history. The name borrows from World War II Office of Strategic Services’ elite Jedburgh teams \u2014 clandestine paratroopers dropped into Nazi-occupied Europe to help guide the resistance with hit-and-run attacks and sabotage, famously recounted in Herman Wouk\u2019s War and Remembrance. <\/p>\n

The \u201cJeds\u201d were also the honorees of Longtab\u2019s 2026 Fiesta medal<\/a>, a continuation of the veteran-owned operation\u2019s tributes to Military City. Most of the company\u2019s beers, like Pineland Oppression and First in Asia, are nods to frontline lore.<\/p>\n

Still, drinking the ale doesn\u2019t require any operational knowledge. The Jedbergh is a golden, medium-bodied ale offering notes of banana and apple and a slightly sweet finish.<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t be more proud of our team,\u201d says Longtab owner Dave Holland in a statement. \u201cOur Jedburgh Belgian Blonde, named in honor of the WWII Jedburgh teams and the legacy they represent, holds deep meaning for us, which makes this recognition all the more significant.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Pinthouse Pinthouse’s winning brew made history.Pinthouse Pizza\/ Facebook<\/p>\n

The winner\u2019s circle<\/strong>
Other area brewers joined Longtab in taking home one of the Beer World Cup\u2019s 350-plus fiercely competitive medals.<\/p>\n

Austin\u2019s <\/strong>Pinthouse Brewing<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> which opened its first San Antonio taproom<\/a> in March, came away with two awards. Its Hecho En Szechuan Rice Lager took home bronze in the Herb and Spice Beer category and Fully Adrift Double IPA won the gold in the Imperial IPA category.<\/p>\n

The latter\u2019s recipe showcases Thora, a newly released public hop varietal known for its intense tropical and citrus aromatics. According to a release, Pinthouse believes that this is the first time a beer brewed with the Thora hop has won a World Beer Cup medal.<\/p>\n

In the Hill County, Blanco\u2019s Real Ale Brewing Co.\u2019s<\/strong> acclaimed Real Heavy<\/a>, a Scotch ale, received a silver medal in the Scotch Ale category. Altstadt Brewery<\/strong> from Fredericksburg was awarded a bronze in the German-Style Bock or Maibock category for its Altstadt Bock<\/a>, a Bavarian-style Dunkles Bockbier that is brewed with a blend of pilsner and crystal malts.<\/p>\n

Not to be outdone, Spoetzl Brewery<\/strong> in Shiner, Texas, was a bronze medalist in the American-Style Lager category with its Shiner Premium.<\/p>\n

\"Thirsty Enjoy all of Thirsty Pups’ latest offerings in Castle Hills.Thirsty Pups Brewery\/ Facebook<\/p>\n

Spring flings
<\/strong>Out with the stouts. San Antonio breweries are putting headier beers in winter storage in favor of breezier brews suitable for the hot months ahead.<\/p>\n