CRAFT BREW CELEBRATION

The 2026 San Diego County Fair Craft Brew Competition drew 565 entries from more than 100 breweries. That's some fierce competition!

Now you can sip and savor the winning suds at the San Diego County Fair's Craft Brew Celebration! Beer aficionados will enjoy hard-to-find specialty craft brews alongside favorites from our local brewing scene.

Event Details

🗓️	DATE:	Sunday, June 21
⏰	TIME:	VIP 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM GA 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍	LOCATION:	Chevrolet Paddock Green

Congratulations to all of our winners! Here are just a few of our award-winning brews:

Best of Show: Schwarzbier by Pizza Port from Imperial Beach, CA
Reserve Best of Show: Delirium Nocturnum by Huyghe Family Brewery from West Hollywood, CA
Third Place Best of Show: Jacaranda by Claremont Craft Ales from Claremont, CA
Champion Brewery: Pizza Port—Ocean Beach, CA
Champion San Diego Brewery: Pizza Port—Ocean Beach, CA
Champion Cidery/Meadery: 2 Towns Ciderhouse—Corvalis, OR
Champion Seltzer Brewer: Hangar 24—Redlands, CA
Champion Non-Alcoholic Brewer: La Trappe Brouwerij—Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands

Winners List

TICKETS

General Admission: $60

12pm–5pm

Includes admission into the San Diego County Fair, and a 10-tab wristband for 5-ounce beer tastings.

VIP Lounge: $135

11am–5pm

The VIP package is designed as the ultimate “Grub & Grog” experience for craft beer fans looking to celebrate Father’s Day in true San Diego style. VIP ticket includes admission into the San Diego County Fair, 1-hour early access to the Craft Brew Celebration, 10-tab wristband for 5-ounce beer tastings, and a curated experience featuring chef-driven food stations and beer pairings from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Shipwreck’d Bar VIP Lounge, with shaded seating and live entertainment.

VIP Designated Driver: $68
Includes full VIP Lounge experience, without the beer tastings.

VIP LOUNGE MENU

Food Stations • 12:00pm-3:00pm

Gold Medal Winning Beers

Barley & Sword Brewing Company - Sawmill Steam
Fox Point Brewing - Hibiscus Haze
AleSmith Brewing Company - Fun Path
Pizza Port Ocean Beach - Flying Hawaiian
Barley & Sword Brewing Company - Beoir Dearg
TapRoom Beer Co - Modern Love
McIlhenney Brewing Co - BB Molotov Special

Artisan Cheese, Charcuterie & Pretzel Display

Kerrygold Irish Whiskey Cheddar, Aged Gouda, Red Dragon with Mustard Seed, Gorgonzola Dolce, Stone Petty Party Smoked Beer Cheese Spread
Prosciutto, Genoa Salami, Sopprata, Spanish Chorizo
Peppadew Peppers, Kalamata Olives, Cornichons
Fresh & Dried Fruits, Whole Grain Mustard, Honeycomb, Fig Jam
Pretzel Display: Whole Soft Pretzels (3 - Pretzel Display Stands w/hooks), Pretzel Baguette/Crostini, Pretzel Bites, Pretzel Crisps, Pretzel Rod

Paired with BattleMage Brewing Company - Hopdou

Gold Medal - American-Style Juicy or Hazy Strong Pale Ale

Cider Pairing Station

Soy Cider Glazed Pork Belly with Treviso-Green Apple-Fennel Slawand Cider Gastrique
Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Confit, Kimchi Butter, Mint, Cilantro, Thai Opal Basil

Paired with Serpentine Cider - Cranberry Clementine

Silver Medal - Specialty Cider and Parry

Session Beer Pairing Station

Old Bay Dry Rubbed Wings
Sticky Lemon Pepper Wings with Dill-Ranch & Blue Cheese and Carrot & Celery Crudite
Brandt Beef Chili Crisp Cheesesteak Fries with Provolone, Grilled Onions & Peppers, and Chili Crisp Queso

Paired with North Park Beer Company - Micro-Fu!

Gold Medal - Session Beer

Lager Pairing Station

Pastrami Slider with Brandt Beef Pastrami, Gruyere Cheese, Whole Grain Mustard, Beer Braised Onions, Pretzel Bun

Paired with East Village Brewing Company - Kampala Special (3 cs)

Gold Medal - European-Style Amber Lager

Shrimp & Bacon Roll with Green Goddess Aioli, Butter Toasted Split Top Roll

Paired with Mike Hess Brewing - Lager Del Sur

Gold Medal - Light Lager

Dessert Station

Beer & Seltzer Floats with Vanilla Ice Cream and Spiced Whipped Cream

Creamsicle Float
Oatmeal Cream Pie Float

San Diego Brewing Company - Tangelo Seltzer

Gold Medal - Fruit Seltzer

East Village Brewing Company - Oaty McOatface (1cs)

Gold Medal - Porter

Assorted Desserts

Salted Caramel Cupcakes, Key Lime Tarts, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Red Velvet Whoopie Pies