Cleveland’s Fat Head’s Brewery once again proved it’s among the best breweries in the world, dominating the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver. Out of more than 8,300 beer and cider entries from across the country, Fat Head’s brought home five medals — two gold, one silver, and two bronze — while also earning Brewery of the Year honors in the 15,001–100,000 barrel division. That showing helped Ohio craft breweries set a new state record, with 11 independent breweries taking home a combined 21 medals — surpassing the state’s previous best of 19 in 2023. The Buckeye State officially cemented itself as one of the nation’s strongest brewing regions. For Fat Head’s, though, this year’s victory is more than another win. It’s the continuation of an incredible legacy — 35 GABF medals since 2009 — and further proof that Ohio is brewing with the best of them.
The winners: styles, medals and why they matter
Fat Head’s swept categories across both traditional and modern styles, showing its brewing depth and technical mastery. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio, brewery’s haul included:
- Battle Axe — gold, Strong Porter (Baltic porter)
- Goggle Fogger — gold, South German-style Hefeweizen
- Bone Head — silver, Strong Red Ale
- Hop JuJu — bronze, Imperial India Pale Ale
- Excursion Journeyman — bronze, Specialty Non-Alcohol Beer
The performance highlights how few breweries in America can win in both hop-heavy and malt-forward categories — and even in non-alcoholic beer.
Head Hunter is my favorite beer in America
Full disclosure: I love Fat Head’s. Head Hunter IPA is my favorite beer in America. It’s a pure expression of the American IPA — aggressively hopped but perfectly balanced, bright and piney, with just enough malt to stay smooth. It’s the beer that made me believe Ohio could brew world-class IPAs, and it’s still the one I compare every new IPA against.
A little Fat Head’s history
Fat Head’s began as a craft beer–centric restaurant in Pittsburgh in 1992. When co-founders Glenn and Michelle Benigni teamed up with master brewer Matt Cole, they brought the brand to Ohio in 2009 with the first Fat Head’s brewpub in North Olmsted. From there, things took off. The team opened a production facility in 2012, and by 2018 they had expanded into a massive Middleburg Heights headquarters and beer hall. That 75,000-square-foot brewery and 250-seat beer hall is now the heart of operations — and a destination for anyone who loves great beer and hearty food.
Middleburg Heights is a must-visit
The Middleburg Heights location delivers everything that makes Fat Head’s great — world-class beer, oversized sandwiches, smoked meats and wings, and a welcoming atmosphere. The beer hall buzzes with energy and the smell of barbecue. It’s one of the best brewery experiences in the Midwest, pairing technical excellence with the comfort of a neighborhood pub.
Ohio breweries dominate at GABF
This year wasn’t just about Fat Head’s. Ohio breweries as a whole had a historic showing, setting a new state record with 21 total medals. Standout performances included:
- Third Eye Brewing (Cincinnati/Hamilton) — 5 medals and Brewery of the Year honors in the 2,001–5,000 barrel division.
- Brink Brewing (Cincinnati) — 2 gold medals for Moozie and Lil Zoomie, continuing a streak of wins every year since 2017.
- Streetside Brewery (Cincinnati) — gold for Sofa King in Strong Red Ale.
- Gemüt Biergarten (Columbus) and Forbidden Root Columbus — both medaled in Munich-style lagers.
- Rhinegeist Brewery, Inside the Five, Narrow Path, and JAFB Wooster also added to Ohio’s count.
Since 1987, 65 Ohio craft breweries have combined to win 230 GABF medals, including 81 golds — a testament to the state’s brewing depth and creativity.
Fat Head’s is now a top-50 craft brewery by volume
Earlier this year, the Brewers Association ranked Fat Head’s No. 48 among America’s top 50 craft breweries by sales volume. That means they’ve paired quality with growth — scaling up without sacrificing consistency. It’s the rare brewery that can get bigger and still keep improving.
Go drink Ohio
If you haven’t visited Fat Head’s in Middleburg Heights, go. If you’re elsewhere, pick up their beers wherever you can find them — especially Head Hunter, Goggle Fogger, and Battle Axe. Ohio just had its best year ever at GABF, and Fat Head’s is leading the charge.
