Posted on 01/04/2026 4:28:30 PM PST by nickcarraway
The beer rose to the top of a crowded American field, finishing ahead of 35 other U.S. breweries.
Key Points:
-Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s Union Jack IPA outscored 35 American breweries to win Best American Beer at the Brussels Beer Challenge, a major international competition.
-Union Jack is Firestone Walker’s flagship IPA, brewed with Simcoe, Chinook, and Centennial hops that define its classic West Coast profile. The beer is known for pairing expressive hop character with a solid malt backbone.
-Created by brewmaster Matt Brynildson and first released in 2008, Union Jack helped establish Firestone Walker as a leading West Coast IPA producer. Its early success and continued accolades have kept it relevant for more than 15 years.
Paso Robles, California–based Firestone Walker Brewing Company beat out 35 American breweries this year to win Best American Beer with its flagship IPA, Union Jack, at the 2025 Brussels Beer Challenge. “The Brussels Beer Challenge is a top world-class competition that draws some of the very best,” says Firestone Walker brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It means a lot to win.”
Founded in 2012, the Brussels Beer Challenge has grown into one of Europe’s most prominent international beer competitions, with thousands of entries judged annually by an international panel of brewers, beer writers, and sommeliers. While the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival remain the most influential competitions for U.S. breweries — particularly in terms of domestic prestige and market impact — the Brussels Beer Challenge offers a different kind of validation: recognition from a European judging body historically more rooted in Old World styles. For American breweries, a win in Brussels can signal international credibility as much as technical excellence.
Firestone Walker's Union Jack West Coast IPA
Union Jack IPA traces its roots back to early brewing trials in 2006, with an official release in 2008 during the rise of West Coast IPA. Nearly two decades later, the beer is still winning major awards. In 2025 alone, it took gold at both the World Beer Cup and the Brussels Beer Challenge. Food & Wine / Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Union Jack’s roots date back nearly two decades. Brynildson says that initial brewing trials for the beer began in 2006 — the same year as Firestone Walker’s tenth anniversary — and the resulting beer was officially released in 2008. “It was inspired by the many great IPAs coming from California brewers at that time,” says Brynildson. “Beers like Sierra Nevada Celebration, Russian River Pliny the Elder, and Anchor Liberty Ale.”
Early recognition helped cement Union Jack’s reputation during the height of the West Coast IPA boom. Brynildson notes that in 2008 and 2009, the beer earned back-to-back gold medals in the American IPA category at the Great American Beer Festival, which “helped to put Union Jack on the map as a leading West Coast IPA and the beer helped us grow our brewery’s distribution outside of Central Coastal California.”
These Are the Best Nonalcoholic Beers in America, According to the Best of Craft Beer Awards
Since then, both the IPA category and Firestone Walker’s portfolio have expanded considerably. The brewery’s IPA lineup now includes a more modern take on the West Coast IPA and a hazy IPA with its own variety pack and radler spin-off — styles that reflect broader shifts in consumer demand away from the piney, bitter profiles that once defined the category. Still, Brynildson says those newer beers remain connected to the original. They were “all inspired by what we have learned through Union Jack and share at least a little of its core DNA,” according to Brynildson.
While Mind Haze IPA has now overtaken Union Jack as the brand’s bestseller in-market, the older beer continues to play a significant role in Firestone Walker’s identity. Brynildson says Union Jack’s continued popularity keeps it a top seller in Firestone Walker’s taprooms.
Fast Facts: Firestone Walker Union Jack
ABV: 7%
International Bitterness Unit (IBU): 70
Style: West Coast IPA
Hops: Brewed with Simcoe, Chinook, and Centennial hops
“It's rewarding to see a beer that you’ve thought about and brewed over and over again continue to be relevant and recognized around the world,” says Brynildson. This year alone, Union Jack took home gold medals at both the World Beer Cup and the Brussels Beer Challenge, where it competed in the Pale & Amber Ale: English IPA category.
That category placement underscores one of the more interesting aspects of Union Jack’s appeal. Though often associated with the American West Coast IPA tradition, the beer found success in Brussels within a stylistic framework more closely aligned with English brewing heritage.
Luc De Raedemaeker, beer sommelier, editor-in-chief of Belgium-based Bière Grand Cru, and co-founder and director of the Brussels Beer Challenge, says that while Union Jack’s hop profile may not be 100% textbook for an English IPA, its balance of a “solid malt backbone is exactly what a good English IPA should have,” making it a category favorite with the panel of six judges. “Firestone Walker is a top brewery,” says De Raedemaeker, “Fresh, hoppy, and well-balanced, this beer has it all.”
There’s a Beer, Bacon, and Cheese festival in New Glarus every June. This year will be our 4th time there.
It’s got everything a growing boy needs.
L
LOL- we used to drink old michrobe alot- cheapest beer around- had soem black label once- and only once lol
Firestone Walker made a limited edition IPA in May 2025 that was really good. I bought a couple six packs at Country Sun in Palo Alto and then it was no more. 😩
It was their official collaboration beer for their Invitational Beer Festival. Brewed with Odell Brewing Co., it’s a 7% ABV crisp, hop-forward IPA using Chinook, Krush, and experimental hop HQG #4. The experts say it had notes of citrus, pine, grapefruit, and passionfruit, but I never taste those things (nor in wine).
The name honors Donald “Don” Brynildson (1923–2019), the grandfather of Firestone Walker’s renowned brewmaster Matt Brynildson. Don was a beloved longtime ceremonial team member—a WWII USMC veteran who frequently joined the stage at the Great American Beer Festival (over 10 times!) and was famously known for “wandering” the festival floor, chatting with everyone and once getting “lost” only to be found partying with the Odell crew. This collab keeps his adventurous spirit alive in a beer he’d have loved.
I tried hard to find more of it in Sept and Oct, but, alas, it was all gone.
Until it became national and international business Women...Ale Wives....were in charge of making ale and beer.
I like Shock Top and Blue Moon. And Voo Doo Ranger.
I have tried this beer while visiting family in California.
It is good, but not as good as Shiner.
All is subjective.
Voodoo Ranger is better.
Are there any good beers from Venezuela?
Blue Moon is a very good beer. It is the best I can get my hands on.
They're great on a hot summer day and go down smooth. Just be careful. At 9.5% ABV, they'll creep up on you quickly.
Good point.
I can get a pint of Yuengling draft at the golf clubhouse bar where I live for $4. I hand the barkeep a $5 and the transaction is done, which I just love. And it’s pretty decent stuff!
Columbus Brewing? Have you tried any Jackie O’s (Athens but now also in Cbus). Hubby loves almost all of their offerings. We restock whenever we go to Cbus (roughly every other month).
My favorite beer is called Zacapa 23.
I live in Texas and I haven’t seen Union Jack anywhere for a long time. It’s definitely a tasty IPA. Lately I have been drinking Jai Alia IPA. Brewed in Florida.
Every good (growing) boy deserves fun! ;)
I just drank some, very nice Rum
Yeah, I wish I could afford it more often. My backup is Flor de Cana 12 year. Drinking that tonight.
We have a local called Wrecker In the Rye. Ales and pilsners have very little taste for my ancient taste bhds.
I love Flor de Cana but Sam’s quit carrying it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.