Geneva, IL – July 24, 2025 — Penrose Brewing continues to cement its reputation as a leader in the craft beverage world, repeating six medals at the 2025 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship. The competition, held in Oxford, Ohio, is the largest hard seltzer judging event in the United States, attracting top producers who compete based on quality, taste, and innovation.
Penrose Brewing medaled in multiple categories and earned the following honors:
GOLD – Pink Lemon Seltz-Up – Flavored Lemonade
GOLD –
Blueberry Pomegranate Lemon Seltz-Up – Mixed Fruit (3 or more)
BRONZE – Cherry Temple Seltz-Up – Mixed Fruit (3 or more)
BRONZE – Apple Cider Donut Seltz-Up – Cake/Pie/Pastry
BRONZE –
Margarita Seltz-Up – Mixed Drink
BRONZE –
Lemon Seltz-Up – Lemonade
This is not the first time Penrose Brewing has been recognized for its exceptional hard seltzers. The 2023 and 2024 U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championships also saw the brewery take home medals for their hard seltzers. Collecting six medals this year, Penrose earned sixth position in the overall competition at the Championship for 2025. Pink Lemon Seltz-Up completed the “Three-Peat” by collecting a gold medal in the Pink Lemonade category for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, Lemon Seltz-Up picked up its third medal overall, now earning two gold medals and a bronze medal.
The U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship works in collaboration with Niagara College’s Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery, and judges are comprised of industry experts who evaluate seltzers based on taste, quality, and innovation. The 2025 competition marked a significant milestone as the largest hard seltzer judging event in the U.S., with a diverse range of entries from leading seltzer producers across the country.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized again at the U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship,” said Tom Korder, Co-Founder and Head Brewer at Penrose Brewing. “Our team has worked hard to create seltzers that not only taste great but also push the boundaries of flavor innovation. It’s an honor to see our efforts celebrated on such a national stage.”
Penrose plans to celebrate their success at the U.S. Open Hard Seltzer Championship by releasing an additional batch of the 2025 Gold Medal winning Blueberry Pomegranate Lemon Seltz-Up in the taproom this weekend, starting Friday, July 25 when the Taproom opens at 12 PM.
For media inquiries, please contact: Anthony Sperando, 630-605-6240
About Penrose Brewing: Located in Geneva, Illinois, Penrose Brewing is a forward-thinking craft brewery dedicated to creating innovative and flavorful beers and hard seltzers. Known for its dedication to quality and creativity beginning in 2014, Penrose strives to bring exciting new offerings to beverage lovers in Illinois, Wisconsin and beyond.
