Ground Breaker Brewing maintained their grip on the Gold Medal in the Gluten-Free beer category at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival®. This is Dark Ale’s third Gold Medal in the Gluten-Free beer category from GABF, having previously won the Gluten-Free Gold Medal in 2014 and 2016. Since opening their doors in 2011 as Harvester Brewing, the brewery has won a GABF medal in the Gluten-Free beer category every year.

In 2012 the brewery won their first medal as Harvester Brewing, capturing the Bronze Medal with Pale Ale in the Gluten-Free beer category. The brewery won a second medal under the Harvester name in 2013, snagging the Gold Medal in the Gluten-Free beer category for IPA No. 1. After changing their name to Ground Breaker Brewing in 2014, the brewery won a second Gold Medal again in the category for Dark Ale. 2015 brought them a Silver Medal in the category for IPA No. 5. Dark Ale won its second Gold Medal in 2016. 

Going 6 for 6 at the GABF competition, Ground Breaker is easily the most decorated gluten-free brewery in the United States. The first dedicated gluten-free brewery in the United States, Ground Breaker has no plans of slowing down, “we’re very proud to be the first dedicated gluten-free brewery in the US,” said James Neumeister, founder and Head of R&D at the brewery. “What’s more important to us than being the first dedicated is continuing to meet the ever-raising standards in the craft beer industry. Winning at GABF every year is affirmation we’re doing good things, but it’s also a reminder we need to continue to reach higher.”

Ground Breaker Brewing accepts the GABF Gold Medal for Gluten-Free Beer from Charlie Papazian. From left to right: Charlie Papazian, Maddy McCarthy (cellarwoman), Paxton Scott (head of sales), Tyler Kueber (head brewer), and James Neumeister (founder).

It was the first GABF medal win for Head Brewer Tyler Kueber, who was promoted to the position in January. “I’ve felt a bit of pressure taking over brewing operations because the brewery has such a decorated history. We’ve made continuous improvements to our processes. We’re always refining our methods, and it shows. I’m happy to be part of such a talented and dedicated team.”