A panel of global beer judges confirmed over the weekend what many in L.A. already knew — that our county is now home to some seriously world-class craft beer.

Six medals and the title of Best Large Brewpub in the World were given to four local breweries at the 2016 World Beer Cup, the most prestigious beer competition in the world, on Friday, May 6.

Beachwood BBQ and Brewing won three medals — gold for Mocha Machine in the coffee beer category, silver for Kilgore in the American stout category and bronze for Udder Love in the sweet stout category — along with the title of Best Large Brewpub in the World. In addition, Eagle Rock Brewery, among L.A.’s old-guard craft breweries, won a gold in the Belgian-style Flanders oud bruin or old red ale category for Yearling; Smog City Brewing won a silver in the American-style red ale category for its year-round Saber-Toothed Squirrel; and Inglewood’s Three Weavers Brewing won a gold in the Imperial red ale category for Blood Junkie.

The World Beer Cup, which happens every two years during the annual Craft Brewers Conference, is often called “the Olympics of beer.” This edition saw 6,596 entries from 1,907 breweries representing 55 countries. According to the Brewers Association, that’s a 38.5 percent increase in the number of entries from 2014.

Last time the World Beer Cup doled out awards, Los Angeles County breweries won three medals — one to Beachwood BBQ and Brewing (also for Mocha Machine), one to Ohana Brewing and one to the now-closed Haven Gastropub.

Breweries in nearby Orange County also came out on top. Nine medals were given to five breweries there, and Noble Ale Works in Anaheim was named the Best Small Brewing Company in the World.

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