Queer-Owned Giant Jones Wins Prestigious Award for Its Beer

Earlier this year, we told you about the incredible trans-lesbian couple, Jessica and Erika Jones, and their craft brewery, Giant Jones Brewing Company, in Madison, Wisconsin. Well, we’ve got some good news! The independent brewery, primarily run by womxn, was just one of three breweries in Madison to score a bronze medal at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival (GABF).

An annual event arranged by the Brewers Association, the GABF is the nation’s largest commercial beer competition and recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. 

Giant Jones Brewing Company received a bronze medal in the competition for its Doppelsticke Altbier in the Other Strong Beer category. Jessica and Erika opened the brewery in 2018 and it’s the first time they’ve medaled at the Great American Beer Festival. 

“Our goal for Giant Jones is to make world-class beers that are also organic,” said Jessica Jones, the out transgender co-owner and brewer at Giant Jones. “Winning a medal at GABF is a really big affirmation from our peers that we’re doing just that. It’s so exciting to see this dream become a reality!” 

The award-winning breweries – which also include gold medal winners Working Draft Beer Company and bronze medal winners Great Dane Brewing Company – are planning a joint celebration in early 2023.  Giant Jones will release the next batch of Doppelsticke Altbier in late December or early January, while Working Draft plans to release the next batch of Klosterade Doppelbock for the brewery’s fifth anniversary in March 2023. 

The top three winners in the competition’s 98 beer categories covering 177 different beer styles were announced on October 8 at the Great American Beer Festival awards ceremony, which was held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.  

An international panel of 235 expert judges selected the winners from 9,904 entries – plus 94 Collaboration and 35 Pro-Am entries – received from 2,154 U.S. breweries. 

“Each year the Great American Beer Festival showcases the best that American brewers have to offer,” said Chris Williams, competition director, Great American Beer Festival. “With more than 9,900 entries, this year’s competition was the most competitive to date. Congratulations to all the winners who truly demonstrated why the U.S. is the best brewing nation in the world.” 

For more GABF competition information, including the 2022 winners list and photos, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com. And to find out more about Giant Jones Brewing Company, check out our article about two LBGBTQ+ breweries in Madison, Wisconsin!