Devils Backbone Is On a Winning Streak

The local brewery recently won awards at the World Beer Cup and World Spirits Competition

On April 24 in Las Vegas at the World Beer Cup, which is the largest beer competition in the world, Devils Backbone’s Belgian Wheat won Silver in the Belgian-Style Witbier category against 88 other entries. Hosted by the Brewers Association and often considered “the Olympics of beer competitions,” this year’s event featured 9,300 beers from 2,060 breweries from 50 countries. Awards were determined by a group of 290 judges from 37 countries.

Devils Backbone continued their winning streak at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and San Francisco Ready-To-Drink Competition where Devils Backbone Distilling Co. brought home the following accolades:

At the spirits awards:
Double Gold Medal with a score of 96 for their Wood Duck High Rye Bourbon
Gold Medal with a score of 93 for their Danzig Malt Whiskey Bottled-in-Bond
Silver Medal for their Fox Field Gin
At the ready-to-drink awards:
Gold Medal with a score of 90 for their Tequila Smash Lime Margarita
Silver Medal for their Grape Smash
Silver Medal for their Bourbon Orange Smash
Silver Medal for their Orange Smash

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is hosted by The Tasting Alliance and is the oldest, largest, and most influential blind judging event in the world. The spirits competition saw nearly 5,500 entries.

“Our beers and spirits stand out because we use fantastic ingredients, stick to traditional methods, and aren’t afraid to innovate,” said Bobby Rohla, Marketing Director for Devils Backbone. “We focus on quality, from using real fruit juice in our cocktails to crafting beers that range from classics like Vienna Lager, Eight Point IPA, and O’Fest Lager to contemporary styles like 16 Point Imperial IPA, Juicy Magic IPA, and Juicy Double Imperial IPA. Plus, our team’s passion and attention to detail ensure every product is world class.”

Across both competitions, judges assess beverages based on flavor, aroma, appearance, mouthfeel, and overall impression. According to Rohla, Devils Backbone’s Belgian Wit Beer stood out to World Beer Cup judges for its balance of spice and citrus.

“Our Orange Smash cocktails stood out [in the World Spirits Competition] for their real fruit juice and our spirits for their complex flavors,” Rohla said. “Overall, they appreciated our commitment to quality and innovation, as epitomized by the Innovation Award for our Bourbon Orange Smash.”

Creating award-winning beers and spirits doesn’t happen in a silo, of course. Rohla says that collaborative brainstorming, pilot batches, and ongoing training is involved in creating an exceptional beverage. And customers play a big role too. Through feedback, tastings, and exclusive events, they help shape Devils Backbone products.

At the time of publishing, there are an estimated 344 craft breweries in the state of Virginia, but the majority (51 percent) are located in Northern Virginia in the areas of Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. Devils Backbone, which started as a small craft brewery operation in Nelson County, was acquired by Anhauser-Busch in 2016. Since that acquisition, the brand has grown by leaps and bounds—including an on-site distillery and two additional locations in Lexington and Charlottesville. But despite the growth, they have maintained their steadfast commitment to quality brews.

“Winning silver at the World Beer Cup is huge for us,” Rohla said. “It’s proof that our rural Virginia brewery can compete with the best in the world. It highlights our craftsmanship and puts Virginia on the map as a leader in the craft beer scene. We’re incredibly proud and motivated to keep pushing the boundaries.”

Rohla sees this winning streak as a win for Virginia craft beer and our local community as a whole, noting that winning awards is always a reflection of the quality of beer and spirits being put out by themselves and peers in Virginia.

“We are excited about the opportunity to attract more visitors to our locations; and to share great beer, cocktails, food, and a welcoming mountain atmosphere,” he said. “It’s a win for everyone, encouraging local brewers and distillers to strive for excellence and showing that amazing products come from right here in Virginia.”