Ventura County Breweries Win Big at 2025 Beer Awards

Every year, breweries from around the country and globe look forward to award ceremonies for beer. You may have walked into a taproom, and seen the medals hanging behind the bar as esteemed reminders of past winners. They commemorate beers brewed, judged and celebrated in years past.

The process for deciding the best of the best is the same year after year, answering questions the brewing industry is asking: Who is producing the best beer? Will last year’s winners be dethroned? What styles are most popular? Each year, the most respected answers emerge from two competitions: the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival.

Ventura County is fortunate to have a number of quality breweries and taprooms. While all are dedicated to their craft, and produce excellent beer, there are some that have set themselves apart in these competitions.

14 Cannons Brewery, in Westlake Village, opened in 2017. With a variety of offerings, their lively space is a great place to enjoy a beer during baseball season and year round. At the World Beer Cup, they won a bronze medal for Home Run Jack, an American-style lager. Crisp and clean, this is a light style that’s easy to enjoy, especially if you want more than one.

In Camarillo, Institution Ale Co. is right off the 101. Known for their extensive indoor and outdoor space, as well as their house-made pizza, they won a medal at GABF for Mosaic, their American pale ale—a stronger, hop-forward style, with a pleasant bitterness.

“Mosaic was one of the first beers we ever brewed here at Institution Ale Co., and it has been on the menu ever since,” says Todd Slater, head brewer. “This recipe was a scale up from an original homebrew recipe, so it is very cool for Mosaic to win its first GABF medal.”

Farther north, Transmission Brewing had been serving their beers next to Toppers Pizza near midtown Ventura since summer of 2019. With many award-winning lagers in years past, it’s no surprise they picked up a bronze medal for their Oktoberfest lager this year at GABF. If you’re in the mood for a beer with a view, and some of the best pizza in town, Transmission Brewing is a must-see.

When it comes to awards, MadeWest Brewing Co. of Ventura had an incredible 2025. Bringing home a collective six awards at both competitions, their dominance in the international beer scene cannot be disputed. Both in the original brewery on Donlon Street and in the taproom with picturesque views at the Ventura Pier, they’ve created spaces that complement their world-class beers. At the World Beer Cup, they took home an impressive four medals, the second most of any brewery in the entire competition. Fast forward to GABF in October, where they won an additional two medals, both times winning across competitive categories and proving the consistency of their beers. “Consistently winning at the largest competitions has been very rewarding,” says Ben Elson, lead brewer. “The beers we make year-round winning in both major competitions reassures us of the quality we’re committed to.”

Taking a closer look at the winning beers, which should be on your radar for your next visit to Made West: “Planks, a seasonal German-style pilsner, won a bronze medal and is a crisp and refreshing lager with a pleasant sweet character. MadeWest Pale also won a bronze medal in the Pale Ale category. A core beer that’s always on tap, this is a moderately strong hoppy style with juicy citrus flavors. MadeWest Hazy won an award at both competitions, and is available year-round. Hazy IPA is an extremely popular style, and this is truly one of the best—juicy, with notes of tropical fruit and peaches. Finally, Fall On In, a strong imperial IPA, won a silver medal. Brewed for the very first time this year, winning with this strong style confirms how dominant MadeWest Brewing has been in these hop-driven categories. We’re very fortunate to have such an excellent brewery so close!

As we approach the end of the year, recounting these local winners reminds us of the local breweries that stand out on the national and international stage. We have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best beers out there in local taprooms across the county. Let’s raise a glass to our local winners, and wish all our local breweries good luck next year.