What happens when nearly 8,000 craft beer enthusiasts from over 60 countries make their way to Indianapolis? A whole lot of heart and unforgettable high-fives—that’s what. This year’s Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America®, hosted by the Brewers Association, wasn’t just a conference – it was a celebration of community, collaboration, and a shared love for the craft. Briess was front and center, including sponsorships of the Welcome Reception and after-party for Yakima Chief Hops at Upland Brewery, along with a booth exhibitor serving fourteen different beers.

Lucas Oil Stadium – Home of the Indianapolis Colts.

Punt, Passing, and Kicking at the Welcome Reception

The week literally kicked off at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. Where else can you start a beer conference by punting footballs, tossing passes, and—wait for it—playing Lawn Pong on the actual NFL turf? That’s right. I kicked a few…they didn’t go far, so I moved on to the other games!

Did you swing by the Briess tent to shoot for some prizes? If not… ooooh, you seriously missed out. The t-shirts? Gone in a flash. The Malted Milk Balls? Practically vanished as they were placed on the table. And the beer samples? Featuring Briess malt in collaborations with Indiana’s Upland Brewery and Terre Haute Brewing, they earned rave reviews – crisp, refreshing, and flavorful.

A gathering at the Welcome Reception, full of games and country music.
Scoring to win Briess swag.
It’s Briess! We know them!
Who can say they played Lawn Pong at Lucas Oil Stadium?

BrewExpo Buzz

Throughout the week, the expo floor buzzed with collaborations sparking on the spot, brewers thrilled about the latest technology, and excitedly prepping for their new or additional taprooms throughout the country. Whether you were looking to level up your quality control game or find your new favorite malt, hop, or yeast supplier, the CBC floor had something for everyone.

As for us? Well, we sure did exceed our step goals and then some! We made our rounds, met some incredible people, swapped ideas, and definitely left with a lot of inspiration and new buddies.

This is a year of momentum, and we could feel it building!

The taproom offered not just Lagers, Pilsners, and IPAs, but Porters and Barleywine too!
A taste of one day in the Briess Taproom.
Yakima Chief Hops After-Party at Upland Brewery.
No live music needed – the conversations flowed just as easily as the beer!

Cheers to the Champions of the World Beer Cup®!

Throughout one whole week, a panel of 265 judges from 37 countries evaluated 8,375 entries from 1,761 brewers and cideries across 49 nations. We could not be more thrilled to see so many familiar faces walk up on this stage. Cheers to all on their dedication + hard work on crafting excellence into their brews. 🍻 View all of the winners from the World Beer Cup® here.

Cheers to Sierra Nevada for winning three Gold Medals.
(Photo Credit: Brewers Association)

Looking Ahead to CBC 2026: Philly, We’re Coming for You (and Your Cheesesteaks)

Huge thanks to the Brewers Association and everyone who made CBC 2025 such a memorable ride. Indy, you gave us touchdowns, tastings, and terrific times – we’ll drink to that!

Save the date, April 20 – 23 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA, for CBC 2026. Are you also thinking of the land of the cheesesteaks? Us too! But first, since we’ll be in one of America’s most iconic cities, we want to share the excitement and love for some friends in the industry that you must keep in your planning to raise a pint (or several) in their taproom: