Each year, anticipation “brews” as Ventura County’s finest breweries face off in our annual Best in Fest Brewery Competition—and this year’s competition was no exception!

Held on April 13 at Twisted Oak Tavern Camarillo, the 2025 competition welcomed an impressive line-up of breweries from across Ventura and Los Angeles counties including Malibu Brewing Company, Institution Ale Company, Leashless Brewing, Wagon Wheel Brewing Co., Bright Spark Brewing, MadeWest Brewing Co., Topa Topa Brewing Co., SeaWard Brewing, Pedals & Pints Brewing Company, Rincon Brewery, Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Casa Agria Specialty Ales. Each brewery brought their A-game to this head-to-head competition for craft beer glory.

Breweries submitted their best pours, each hoping to take home the coveted title of Best in Fest. To ensure a fair and thorough evaluation, entries were judged blind by an expert panel of Certified Cicerones. Using a hybrid of Brewers Association and BJCP guidelines, the beers were scored based on style accuracy, aroma, flavor, mouthfeel, drinkability and overall impression.

After an intense tasting and scoring process, the top three beers advanced to a final round. The result? One brewery emerged victorious, claiming the honor of 2025 Best in Fest Winner!

And the Winners Are…

Best in Fest Winner: Casa Agria Specialty Ales – Campopils Italian Pilsner #1
2nd Place: Malibu Brewing Company – Big Rock Amber Lager
3rd Place: Seaward Brewing – Bae Watch Red Ale

In addition to bragging rights, Casa Agria Specialty Ales will be crowned on the main stage of the  32^nd Annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival, enjoy prime Festival booth placement, and be invited to pour at the 12^th Annual Top Chef Yummie Dinner, a beloved sister event to the Festival.

We extend a huge congratulations to our winners and heartfelt thanks to all the incredible breweries who participated. Special recognition goes to our Festival committee and esteemed judges Jeff Walker, Zach Rosen, Steve Almaraz, and Donovan Nebreklievski forlending their expertise and palates to the competition.

Be sure to join us at the Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival on Sunday, June 1^st at Cal State University Channel Islands to sample these award-winning brews and experience the best Ventura County has to offer! Use promo code FLAVORFEST for $15 OFF your tickets at cpwinefoodbrewfest.com!