Golden or Blonde Ale

Classic Style · Pale Ale · 84 Entrants in 2026

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Style Definition

Light bodied, easy drinking golden ale with low hop and malt intensity.

ABV4.1 to 5.1%

ABV 4.1 to 5.1%

IBU15 to 25

IBU 15 to 25

SRM3 to 7

SRM 3 to 7

Classic style categories are judged against one Brewers Association style description. Source: Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines (approximate ranges) (approximate)

Entrants by YearHow Crowded the Category Is

Table view

Entrants by Year
Entries	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026
Entries	152	159	138	129	102	84

Medalists by Year

2026 · Category 68 · 84 Entrants

2026 · Category 68 · 84 Entrants. Select a column header to sort.
				Hops
Gold	Brig Blonde	5.2%	20	Hallertauer Mittelfruh	Ketch Brewing	San Diego, CA
Silver	Lawnmower Beer	4.9%	18	Hersbrucker	Saint Arnold Brewing Co.	Houston, TX
Bronze	Bold Rush	4.8%	Not Found	Loral, Vanguard	Drake's Brewing Company/Bear Republic	San Leandro, CA

2025 · Category 69 · 102 Entrants

2025 · Category 69 · 102 Entrants. Select a column header to sort.
				Hops
Gold	Brig Blonde	5.2%	Not Found	Not Found	Ketch Brewing	San Diego, CA
Silver	Toboggan Blonde Ale	5%	20	Not Found	Ivanhoe Park Lager House	Orlando, FL
Bronze	Salty Crew	4.5%	12	Not Found	Coronado Brewing Co. (Production Facility)	San Diego, CA

2024 · Category 66 · 129 Entrants

2024 · Category 66 · 129 Entrants. Select a column header to sort.
				Hops
Gold	Kiitos Blonde Ale	4%	10	Not Found	Kiitos Brewing	Salt Lake City, UT
Silver	Easy Mode	Not Found	Not Found	Not Found	Logan Brewing Co.	Burien, WA
Bronze	Bench Seat	Not Found	Not Found	Not Found	Transmission Brewing	Ventura, CA

2023 · Category 55 · 138 Entrants

2023 · Category 55 · 138 Entrants. Select a column header to sort.
				Hops
Gold	Fancy Lawnmower Beer	Not Found	Not Found	Not Found	Saint Arnold Brewing Co.	Houston, TX
Silver	Sunlight Cream Ale	5.3%	20	Not Found	Sun King Brewery	Indianapolis, IN
Bronze	Basecamp Blonde	4.8%	Not Found	Not Found	Hutton & Smith Brewing Co. (Production Facility)	Chattanooga, TN

2022 · Category 55 · 159 Entrants

2022 · Category 55 · 159 Entrants. Select a column header to sort.
				Hops
Gold	Firemans #4	5.1%	23	Not Found	Real Ale Brewing Co.	Blanco, TX
Silver	Blonde Ale	Not Found	Not Found	Not Found	Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro	Bellingham, WA
Bronze	THE FULL LEMONTY	5%	20	Not Found	Pollyanna Brewing Co.	Lemont, IL

2021 · Category 53 · 152 Entrants

2021 · Category 53 · 152 Entrants. Select a column header to sort.
				Hops
Gold	Domestica	Not Found	Not Found	Not Found	Ratio Beerworks	Denver, CO
Silver	No, Yeah	Not Found	Not Found	Not Found	Bell's Brewery	Comstock, MI
Bronze	CAVU	4.6%	Not Found	Not Found	NoDa Brewing Co. (The OG)	Charlotte, NC

2026 Medal Beers

Gold in Golden or Blonde Ale

Brig Blonde

Ketch Brewing, San Diego, CA

Category: Golden or Blonde Ale
Entries: 84
ABV: 5.2%
IBU: 20
Style: Blonde Ale
Malts: Pilsner malt, Vienna malt, Wheat malt
Yeast: Not Found
Adjuncts: Not Found

Hops

Tasting Notes

Brewed with Pilsner, Vienna, and Malted Wheat malts, plus gently floral hops, Brig Blonde offers a subtle sweetness and a clean, refreshing finish.

Source: ketchbrewing.com

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Silver in Golden or Blonde Ale

Lawnmower Beer

Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX

Category: Golden or Blonde Ale
Entries: 84
ABV: 4.9%
IBU: 18
Style: Kölsch-style blonde
Malts: Pilsner malt, Wheat malt
Yeast: Kölsch yeast
Adjuncts: Not Found

Hops

Tasting Notes

This beer is crisp and refreshing, yet has a sweet malty body that is balanced by a complex, citrus hop character. ... This beer has a distinctive floral hop…

Source: saintarnold.com

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Bronze in Golden or Blonde Ale

Bold Rush

Drake's Brewing Company/Bear Republic, San Leandro, CA

Category: Golden or Blonde Ale
Entries: 84
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: Not Found
Style: Golden Ale
Malts: Flaked barley, Gallagher's Best malt, Two-row malt
Yeast: Verdant
Adjuncts: Not Found

Hops

Tasting Notes

Crisp and crushable, Bold Rush is the perfect companion for any courageous endeavor. This easy-drinking Golden Ale shines with hoppy aromas of sweet fruit and…

Source: drinkdrakes.com

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