Central Texas Brings Home the Gold (and Platinum) at the 2021 CBMAs

2021 crushies — CBMA winners receive platinum, gold, or global Crushies. (photo courtesy of CBMA)

Most craft beer enthusiasts have heard of brewing contests like the Great American Brew Fest and the World Beer Cup, but they may not know about the Craft Beer Marketing Awards. Founded in 2019, the CBMAs celebrate excellence in craft beer marketing and design around the world. A global panel of 300 beer, marketing, and design experts vote on entries to 27 different categories (expanding to 38 in 2022). From can and bottle design to pandemic fundraisers and human rights collaborations, the CBMAs cover almost every aspect of selling craft beer.

Freetail Brewing’s Citrus Trip Tangerine Wit got a gold Crushie in the 8-15oz Can category. (Image courtesy of CBMA)

Three Central Texas breweries brought home awards at the 2021 CBMAs, which were announced in May. San Antonio’s Freetail Brewing got a gold Crushie in the 8-15oz can design category for their Citrus Trip Tangerine Wit. In the 16oz can contest, Pinthouse Pizza also received a gold Crushie for the iconic Electric Jellyfish design.

Pinthouse Pizza’s Electric Jellyfish can won gold in the 16oz can category at the 2021 CBMAs (image courtesy of CBMA).

However, the biggest Central Texas winner was Austin Beer Works. ABW received a platinum Crushie (best in contest) for their 32oz crowler design. The can art features Godzilla, Big Tex, and the Austin skyline. Both ABW’s crowler and the Electric Jellyfish can was created by Austin-based design agency Helms Workshop. San Antonio’s Anderson Marketing Group designed the Freetail cans.

Austin Beer Works won a best-in-contest platinum Crushie for their 32oz crowler design. (Image courtesy of CBMA).

The Best of the Rest, from Texas to the Globe

Two other Texas breweries also got awards. No Label Brewing in Katy won two Crushies: one in the Most Creative Merchandise Line category for their masks and gaiters as well as for their Mask Days promotion in the Pandemic Promotion category. Houston’s Urban South received a Crushie in the Best Redesign category. The biggest winners in the US were Brooklyn Brewery in New York, EBBING Branding and Design in North Carolina, Founders Brewing Company in Michigan, Flying Dog Brewery in Maryland, New Realm Brewing Co. in Georgia, and Veza Sur Brewing Co. in Florida. Among the international standouts were Balter Brewing Co. in Australia and Hey Joe Brewing Company in South Africa.