I'm no beer awards expert, but my guess is winning something at this festival is equivalent to winning a Grammy.
that's not a bad analogy.
beer competitions about brewing to style. looking at the categories port city won in (pasted below), those probably aren't exciting styles to you but port city does brew solid examples of those styles as defined by-the-book. that'll win you competitions. imperial IPAs and sours are much more exciting styles, but unless such someone wins 3+ medals for them breweries like port city are going to be crowned. if it's any consolation, firestone walker won for mid-sized, and rip current for very small brewery. i believe they meet with your approval.
Medal Beer Name Brewery City State Category Year
Silver:
Monumental IPA Port City Brewing Co. Alexandria VA English-Style India Pale Ale 2015
Bronze:
Optimal Wit Port City Brewing Co. Alexandria VA Belgian-Style Witbier 2015
Silver:
Porter Port City Brewing Co. Alexandria VA Robust Porter 2015
