A Surprising Shift: The Decline of IPAs at GABF

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) continues to be a focal point for beer enthusiasts, and this year brought an unexpected twist: a notable decrease in the number of India Pale Ales (IPAs) entered into the competition. For the first time in over six years, the total count of IPAs dropped, igniting conversations among industry insiders and beer lovers alike.

This year, a total of 312 IPAs competed in the American IPA category, down from 336 entries in 2015. This decline stands out sharply, especially considering the continuous growth trend observed in this popular beer style over the past decade. To put this into perspective, here’s a breakdown of the IPA entries over the years:

• 2010: 150
• 2011: 176
• 2012: 203
• 2013: 252
• 2014: 279
• 2015: 336
• 2016: 312

As highlighted in the festival’s historical data, the IPA category saw significant growth—over 20% from 2014 to 2015—making this year’s reversal all the more noteworthy. The implications of a 7% decline prompt intriguing questions: Are we witnessing the apex of the IPA craze? Will this trend continue in future festivals?

One plausible explanation for this decline could be the sheer competitive pressure in the IPA category. As the number of entries swelled, some breweries may have decided to forgo participation, particularly those that historically entered their IPAs but struggled to stand out in an increasingly crowded field. The entry fees for the competition can be substantial, which might discourage smaller or less-prominent breweries from trying their luck in a category where the competition is fierce.

In an interesting twist, the session IPA category also experienced a significant decline, dropping from 161 entries in its inaugural year to just 118 this year—a staggering 25% decrease. Meanwhile, the numbers for American-style pale ales remained relatively stable, with 160 entries in 2015 compared to 157 this year.

As we look ahead to the 2017 GABF, the trajectory of IPA entries will be fascinating to observe. Will breweries embrace the challenge and reinvigorate the category, or is this a signal of a broader shift in consumer preferences? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: the dynamics