Great American Beer Fest Winners Announced

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), one of the most important beer festivals on the annual calendar,  has announced its list of brewery award winners, more than 200 in all. Check out the full list here, but take special note of  Devil's Backbone, about 45 minutes from Charlottesville, Virginia, winner of the best small pub brewer and brewery of the year. It's on the "Brew Ridge Trail", a good reason on its own to plan a trip to Virginia.

Another brewery to add to the visit list is Tap It Brewing, in San Luis Obispo, California, which won its first GABF gold medal for its  American-Style India Pale Ale.  The tasting room is open Tuesday through Sundays, and can easily be worked into a wine tasting itinerary.