The California State Fair’s Commercial Craft Beer Competitionhas officially named Turlock’s Dust Bowl Brewing Co. as the 2022 Brewery of the Year. The Commercial Craft Beer Competition is one of the most popular and longest-running beer contests in all of California, with 120 breweries from across the Golden State competing in this year’s event. 

The Brewery of the Year accolade was determined by combining the scores of a robust competition amongst singular brews. The contest is conducted and judged by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) and other industry peers, following all BJCP competition standards. It is sanctioned by the BJCP.

Out of a total of 850 entries from the 120 participating breweries, Dust Bowl earned gold medals in three different categories while earning an additional silver medal in another.

The popular Taco Truck Lager won gold in the International Lager section, the California Golden Ale won the second gold in the American Light Ales category and the Hobo Pilsner took home the third gold for the American or International Style Pilsner group. The Therapist earned the silver in the American Imperial IPA section. 

Don Oliver has been Dust Bowl’s brewmaster since 2009 and expressed his joy upon hearing the news. He also gave kudos to the entire craft brew industry in California for pushing each other to do bigger and better over the years.

“We are honored to be recognized as Brewery of the Year,” Oliver said. “We have learned a lot from competing with a group of amazing brewers in California. We are all operating in a challenging environment these days and it’s spectacular for the team to see their hard work pay off.”

A full list of results from this year’s Commercial Craft Beer Competition can be found online at https://calexpostatefair.com/participate/competitions/craftbeer/california-craft-beer-archive/california-commercial-craft-beer-competition-2022-results/.