We invited everyone from the top 10 new breweries list** to submit beers for a blind tasting. A total of 34 different beers were received and sorted into four categories: Hoppy, Belgian-Inspired, Malty, and Freestyle. The judges scored each beer from 1 to 10 in four areas: aroma, taste, finish, and overall balance—so a beer with 200 points got flawless marks in all four, from all five judges. Hats off and bottoms up to the winners. **Groundswell did not participate
San Diego Magazine’s Battle of the Beers
Round 1: Hoppy
San Diego Magazine’s Battle of the Beers
Gold Medal: Hopmata IPA (Burning Beard). Perfectly balanced with big, satisfying hop aromas, this beer was an immediate favorite for all the judges. It was also the second highest overall scorer of the day. 150 points
That’s just a solid classic, like a well-executed cocktail. —Troy Johnson on Hopmata IPA
Silver Medal: 10:45 to Denver (Eppig). 139 points
Bronze Medal: Infinitude Double IPA (San Diego Brewing). 134 points
Round 2: Belgian-Inspired
San Diego Magazine’s Battle of the Beers
Gold Medal: Golden Kiss (Resident). One of the most beautifully balanced and satisfying beers of the day, this saison/farmhouse-style ale had all the toasty, spicy, and tropical notes you want in a crisp, easy-drinking beer style. It was also the highest scorer of the competition. 155 points
Wow, delicious! I like my Belgians with a little more conditioning, and this one starts off really nice and ends really crisp. —David Martin on Golden Kiss
Silver Medal: Torreyana Saison (Thunderhawk). 132 points
Bronze Medal: Moment of Weakness American Dark Sour (Eppig). 131 points
Round 3: Malty
San Diego Magazine’s Battle of the Beers
Gold Medal: Banksy ESB (Burning Beard). Lightly golden, this beer shone with its balance of full-flavored malty caramel and toast, all hung on a frame of crisp, subtle bitterness. In a field filled with deep, dark malt monsters, this beer was a bit of an outsider but more than held its own. 129 points
This beer is one of the kids that’s doing its own thing. It doesn’t seem like it belongs in this category, but I totally understand it. —Troy Johnson on Banksy ESB
Silver Medal: Oatmeal Stout (Resident). 128 points
Bronze Medal: Over There Dunkelweizen (Thunderhawk). 113 points
Round 4: Freestyle
San Diego Magazine’s Battle of the Beers
Gold Medal: Mocha Massage Imperial Oatmeal Stout (North Park Beer Co.). Coffee, caramel, and milk chocolate wafted from the glass, with rich mocha flavors, hints of vanilla, and a satisfying mouthfeel. 134 points
Silver Medal: Citra Smella Pale Ale (Burgeon). 116 points
Bronze Medal: Glitz & Glam Pink Lemonade Radler (Eppig). 115 points
Give me a couple of pints of this radler to drink all day long by the pool.”—Bruce Glassman on Glitz & Glam Pink Lemonade Radler
San Diego Magazine’s Battle of the Beers
