The results of the 2026 New York State Craft Beer Competition, announced over the weekend in Albany, offer a snapshot of a statewide industry that continues to refine its craft while expanding its reach. With 1,142 entries from 178 breweries, this year’s competition—widely considered the largest state-level contest in the country—underscored both the scale and sophistication of New York’s beer scene.
Judged over two days in Rochester by a panel of 72 industry professionals, the competition awarded 101 medals across 32 style categories in Albany at the Brewers’ Conference over the weekend. At the top of the heap, Brooklyn’s Wild East Brewing Co. took home the Governor’s Craft Beer Cup for “Hexenkessel,” a dark lager, while Grimm Artisanal Ales was named Brewery of the Year for the fifth time in six years.
But as ever, the Hudson Valley held its own.
West Kill Brewing emerged as one of the region’s strongest performers, earning a gold medal for “Kaaterskill” in the Hazy Pale Ale category and another gold for “Burn Ban” in Specialty Beer: Light & Amber Ales and Lagers. The brewery, with locations in West Kill and Kingston, also picked up a bronze for “Mountain Life,” further cementing its reputation for producing hop-forward beers with precision and consistency.
Drowned Lands Brewery in Warwick also made a strong showing, taking silver for “Gather House” in the Wheat Beer category and bronze for “Amai” in Belgian Other—two stylistically distinct beers that highlight the brewery’s range.
Elsewhere, Hudson Valley Brewery in Beacon earned a bronze for “Total Internal Reflection: Citra” in the Kettle & Simple Sours category, while Roe Jan Brewing Company in Hillsdale secured a silver medal for “Goliath” in Strong Ales & Lagers. Kingston Standard Brewing Co. added a bronze for its Kölsch, and Apex Brewery in Monroe took gold in that same category for “Kölsch Kömmander.”
For Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association, the results reflect a broader trend. “While the craft brewing industry continues to evolve, one thing remains certain, the quality of the beer being produced across New York State continues to improve year after year,” he says. “This year’s list of winners is a clear reflection of that continued commitment to excellence.”
Beyond bragging rights, the competition carries a philanthropic component. Proceeds support the Raise a Glass Foundation, which funds charitable causes connected to the brewing industry. “Because of you, we will be able to support more than 20 local, national and international charities this year,” says Ron Dougherty, the foundation’s executive director, thanking brewers, judges, and organizers alike.
The event also points toward the industry’s future. Beginning in 2026, organizers will implement a new digital system to streamline entries and judging. “This new system will provide our brewers with an updated entry system, our judges with a paperless judging platform, and keep our competition the best state competition in the country,” said Hutch Kugeman of the Brewers Association.
For drinkers, the awards offer a roadmap to some of the best beer being made in the state right now. For Hudson Valley breweries, they serve as confirmation of something local fans already know: the region’s producers are operating at a high level—and getting better.
