Blind Tiger Brewery Wins at the Great American Beer Festival
On Saturday October 12th in Denver, Colorado, John Dean, Brewmaster and Alvaro Canizales, Head Brewer at the Blind Tiger Brewery, were awarded a medal in the prestigious competition at the Great American Beer Festival. They won the Bronze Medal for our Blind Tiger Hefeweisen.
This event is the National Championships for all American breweries big and small and is celebrating 50 years of the Craft Beer movement. This medal brings to 34 the National and International medals and awards received by John Dean, Alvaro Canizales and the Blind Tiger Brewery (see list attached). Our award streak continues. This is more national and international medals and awards than any brewery of any size within 500 miles! It may seem like this is routine because it happens so frequently, but, please be aware, most Craft Breweries have either zero of these medals, or a small handful for all their years of existence. Congratulations to our Brewing Team!
Jay Ives, President and Owner of the Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant said, “It is just amazing that John and Al keep this streak going. Our local brewery sits atop the entire Craft Beer movement nationwide in this achievement. John Dean is sought out by brewers from all over the country for advice and for collaboration. Topeka should be proud of this talented and accomplished native son.”
Jay Ives said, “This beer has never won a medal or award for the Blind Tiger before. It represents the 11th different beer style that John and Al have won with. That shows the breadth of their talent, knowledge and experience. Most brewers have one or two beer styles they specialize in. John and Al are great at so many different beer styles.”
John and Al’s primary focus every day when brewing is the highest possible quality. That translates to a great experience for every beer drinker. The Bronze Medal winner, Blind Tiger Hefeweizen is on-tap right now, so Topekans can enjoy it.
Description of Blind Tiger Hefeweizen:
5.5% ABV, 16 IBUs This southern German style Weissbier is brewed with Kansas grown barley and wheat malts from the Kansas Malt Company! This is a mild, light in color beer that is presented unfiltered, meaning the inactive yest is suspended in the beer adding to the flavor profile.
About the Brewmaster
John Dean, a native Topekan, has been the Blind Tiger Brewmaster since 1999. This medal brings his total to 34 National and International medals and awards during his tenure! Jay Ives, majority owner of the Blind Tiger Brewery, said, “John Dean, this immensely accomplished and hard working man, is a Topeka treasure, brewing is an art, and we have Rembrandt!” John Dean is by far the most award-winning brewer in the entire Midwest.
Ives also said, “John Dean combines in one individual immense creativity, amazing curiosity, scientific and engineering knowledge, plus a superior work ethic. This combination makes him a true genius. You can taste the result of that genius every day at the Blind Tiger Brewery.”
Facts about the Great American Beer Festival 2026:
The Great American Beer Festival is America’s premier beer festival, professional competition, and cultural phenomenon. GABF is attended by a huge number of brewers, large and small, bringing their diverse beers which make the United States the world’s greatest brewing nation. Tasting sessions offer festival attendees the opportunity to tour America’s brewing landscape, one ounce at a time, with access to many thousands of different beers from many hundreds of the nation’s finest breweries.
GABF Statistics This Year
2 Days of the Festival
112 Categories (International Beer Styles) in the competition
336 Number of Medals Awarded
50 Years the competition has been held
30,000+ People attending
250+ Independent Certified Beer Judges from 7 countries
3,000+ Volunteers
150+ Tons of ice consumed to keep the beer cold
52 States, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, with breweries represented
Additional information about the Great American Beer Festival can be obtained at www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com or from the Brewers Association in Boulder, Colorado.
