Special · Fruit, Spice, and Specialty · 51 Entrants in 2026
Style Definition
Beer with unusual ingredients or processes not covered elsewhere.
Special categories are judged on an added ingredient, a process, or a nonstandard base, not on one classic style. Source: Brewers Association Beer Style Guidelines (approximate ranges) (approximate)
| Entries | 2021 | 2022 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entries | 66 | 34 | 51 |
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Honey Panda | 6% | 10 | Not Found | The Empourium Brewing Co. | Denver, CO |
| Silver | Summer Heat | 5.4% | 25 | Not Found | Short's Brewing Co. (Production Facility) | Elk Rapids, MI |
| Bronze | Oak Aged Floral Saison | 8% | Not Found | Not Found | Boulevard Brewing Co. | Kansas City, MO |
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Breakside I Purple You | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Breakside Brewery (NW Slabtown) | Portland, OR |
| Silver | Maple Smoked Maibock | 7% | Not Found | Not Found | Kilowatt Brewing | San Diego, CA |
| Bronze | Peanut Butter Porter | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | Lake Time Brewery | Clear Lake, IA |
| Hops | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Maple Smoked Maibock | 7% | Not Found | Not Found | Kilowatt Brewing | San Diego, CA |
| Silver | Coco Burrito Porter | 6% | Not Found | Not Found | Shoe Tree Brewing Co. (Minden) | Minden, NV |
| Bronze | Agavemente | Not Found | Not Found | Not Found | SouthNorte Beer Co. | Huntington Beach, CA |