Episode 666 – GABF Winners 2026
For the first time in a while, we were not able to attend the Great American Beer Festival in Denver – so we do our best to recreate it (without the blazing heat and endless bathroom lines) by drinking five medal winning beers from this year. To give us his report on the festival experience – and a whole lot of information about non-alcoholic beer – we chat with our old friend Matt Johnsen of Go Brewing, recipients of two GABF medals. Plus, Craig shows tremendous restraint while visiting the late Steve Albini’s studio; we learn that young people really don’t want carbonation; and Ryan urges Goose Island to just do a silly one, for once.
ABV Chicago Episode 666 – GABF Winners 2026
Matt Johnsen of Go Brewing interview (00:15:32 – 01:02:46)
Medal Winners Reviewed
Go Brewing – New School (Non-alcoholic Kettle Sour w/ strawberry and blueberry) [Bronze in Specialty Non-Alcoholic Beer]
Roaring Table Brewing – Direct Fire (Smoked Helles Lager) [Bronze in Smoke Beer]
Third Space Brewing – Central Time IPA [Bronze in English-style ESB or IPA]
93 Octane Brewery – Turbo (Coffee Porter) [Silver in Coffee Porter or Stout]
Goose Island Beer Co. – 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout (Baklava-inspired stout aged in bourbon barrels w/ walnuts, pistachios, cassia bark, and honey) [Gold in Dessert or Pastry Beer]
