It was clearly an acutely aggressive year in terms of competition and quality at this year’s Great American Beer Festival. ISM Brewing was the only Long Beach brewery—and one of the few regional breweries—to score any medal. And it scored a gold for its Chepedelic IPA. While last year saw Ambitious Ales and Trademark share medals with ISM, this year saw ISM as the lone Long Beach wolf in any medal category.
“We are beyond words after pulling a gold for our New Zealand IPA at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival,” said brewer Gene Wagoner. “Designed by our talented and passionate brewer, Jose Perez—aka Chepe—our Superdelic- and Krush-focused NZ IPA edged out what must have been an intense final round with top national entries for the win.”
ISM brings home the gold with Chepedelic.
Amid hundreds of medals handed out across 100-plus categories, ISM scored big for its Chepedelic brew. With a moniker that’s an ode to ISM brewer Jose Perez, whom most know as “Chepe,” the moment marked yet another lil’ checkmark in ISM’s rich award history.
Being awarded a medal at GABF is a true accomplishment,” owner and brewer Ian McCall said. “It exemplifies the skill, art, and determination of the brewers who tirelessly work to create amazing beers. This year, we are honored to bring home a gold medal for Chepedelic in the New Zealand IPA category. Our brewers, Gene Wagoner and Jose ‘Chepe’ Perez, are insanely talented. And deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and commitment. I am very proud of our team and love sharing the magic they create with Long Beach.”
And though based in Orange, Long Beach resident Daniel Garcia’s Everywhere (which is opening a tap room on 4th Street) also scored a gold for their “Tracing the Departed” hazy IPA.
So what, exactly, is the Great American Beer Fest?
Ah, the Great American Beer Festival. Hosted annually by the Brewers Association in Denver, Colorado, it’s widely regarded as America’s premier beer competition and tasting event. Think of it as the Oscars for beer. Founded in 1982 by brewer Charlie Papazian, the first festival was held in conjunction with the American Homebrewers Association conference. It featured just 24 breweries and 47 beers. Over the years, it has grown both in scope and prestige, now attracting hundreds of breweries. Thousands of beer submissions. And literally tens of thousands of attendees.
In addition to the public tasting sessions—where festivalgoers sample a wide array of styles—the heart of GABF lies in its rigorous competition. A panel of expert judges evaluates entries across over 100 beer style categories (and, increasingly, cider categories), awarding Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals to the top performers in each class.
For example, in the 2024 competition, judges evaluated beers and ciders in 102 beer categories (with 170 subcategories), plus several new cider categories, ultimately awarding 326 medals to 273 breweries and cideries. Winning a GABF medal can be a game-changer for a brewery: nationwide exposure. Validation among peers. And often a boost in sales and brand recognition.
As the festival continues to evolve—for instance, by refining its style guidelines and adding new categories, such as Mexican-style lagers in 2025—it remains a central benchmark in the U.S. craft beer landscape, celebrating both the artistry and innovation of America’s brewers.
For the full list of winners at the 2025 Great American Beer Fest, click here.
