North Park Beer Company

North Park Beer Co takes gold in American-style IPA at 2022 World Beer Cup

“I’ve been chasing this specific award since I made the leap from homebrewer to brewery owner almost six years ago,” beams Kelsey McNair, founder and head brewer at North Park Beer Co., discussing his gold medal win in the American-style IPA category at the 2022 World Beer Cup. “Hop-Fu! as a homebrew was my most award-winning recipe, and to this day remains one of the most award-winning homebrew recipes out there. Winning gold in this category with this beer is so incredibly gratifying, a pinnacle moment of my brewing career,”

Taking gold in the category, which is one of the most hotly contested, would be an honor any year, but this year is extra special, since — due to the pandemic — this is the first time the bi-annual event has been held since 2018. McNair’s winning ale, Hop-Fu!, is a hop-heavy 7.5% ABV West Coast IPA featuring Simcoe, Chinook, Mosaic, Columbus, Amarillo, and Mosaic hops that combine to deliver a well-balanced, piney taste. McNair comments, “We use a tried-and-true blend of some of the best hops available and employ multiple dry hop additions to create a deliciously complex flavor and aroma profile that includes notes of zesty tangerine, pine forest, fresh florals, tropical fruit, berries, sticky hop resins, and bright stone fruit. To me, Hop-Fu! is everything that a modern West Coast American-style IPA should be.”

Since San Diego is so well known for its IPAs, it may come as no surprise to learn that another local brewery also medaled in the American-style IPA category. Karl Strauss took bronze for its Aurora Hoppyalis, a 7% IPA with a dry finish and citrus and tropical fruit notes thanks to Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops. Andrew Wilde, Marketing and Creative manager at Karl Strauss explains that the goal was to bring the hops front and center in the award-winner, which was originally part of Karl Strauss’ Small Batch program, and one which the brewery refers to as a “San Diego-style IPA.” According to Wilde, the process is key to Aurora Hoppyalis, “We lighten the malt profile, lending it’s signature golden-hue, and go big on late kettle-edition hops, as well as the dry-hop.”

An award-winning pour of Hop-Fu!

North Park Beer Company

Altogether, 13 San Diego breweries accounted for 17 medals at this, the world’s largest international beer competition, including four gold medals. In addition to North Park’s Hop-Fu!, Pizza Port Bressi Ranch won gold in the American-style Pilsner category for its Dieguito, AleSmith won gold in Scotch-style Ale for its Wee Heavy, and Ballast Point won gold in Smoked Beer for its Schlenkerlish.

Asked what he thinks make San Diego breweries so successful at competitions, McNair credits local culture. “We’re fortunate to have a deep-rooted brewing community that includes not only some of the most talented amateur and professional brewers in the world, but also many highly qualified beer judges. The beer enthusiasts in our region have incredibly high expectations when it comes to beer quality, which makes it necessary for us all to be passionate about making the highest quality beer possible. When we’re passionate about quality and take it seriously, the awards tend to follow.”