Wild Heart Brewing Company Named Brewery of the Year at 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championships
Hartsville, SC — Wild Heart Brewing Company brought home four medals and was named Brewery of the Year (501–1,000 Barrels) at the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championships, one of the premier competitions celebrating American brewing excellence. The results were announced July 15 from Oxford, Ohio, the home of the U.S. Open Beer Championships.
A big thank you to the judges for the recognition and to the U.S. Open Beer Championship for hosting. Congratulations to all of our fellow South Carolina Brewers Guild breweries that earned awards.
Our awards:
🥇 Convergence: Gold, New England/Juicy/Hazy DIPA
🥇 Slow Bloom: Gold, Wild Culture Brett Beer (shared with Boulevard Brewing Company)
🥈 Hop Atlas: Silver, West Coast Pilsner
🥈 Weight of Sound: Silver, Collaboration Beer (Pilsners/Lagers) — a collaboration with Southern Hops Brewing Company and Riverbend Malt House
🏆 Brewery of the Year, 501–1,000 Barrels
If you haven't tried these beers yet, now's the time. We're down to our last kegs of Convergence and Weight of Sound, and less than one case of Slow Bloom remains. Once it's gone, it's gone for good. Slow Bloom is also available by the glass in our taproom while it lasts.
Soon, representatives from the U.S. Open will be visiting us in Hartsville for an award ceremony. Be on the lookout for that announcement so you can mark your calendars and join us for it.
Congratulations Zach (Head Brewer) and Jerry (Assistant Brewer), Wild Heart Brewing and Hartsville appreciate you!
Thank you to all of our staff, customers, and friends who support Wild Heart Brewing and make us who we are. You inspire us to get better every day and we couldn't do it without you. Cheers!
About the U.S. Open Beer Championship
Founded in 2009 and held annually in Oxford, Ohio, the U.S. Open Beer Championship is the third-largest beer competition in the United States, judging entries from professional and award-winning home brewers across more than 170 style categories.
About Wild Heart Brewing Company
Wild Heart Brewing Company is a craft brewery and restaurant in Downtown Hartsville, South Carolina. Opened in 2021, Wild Heart Brewing has been brewing beer and telling stories for over five years and counting.
About Southern Hops Brewing Company
Southern Hops Brewing Company is a locally owned craft brewery and full-service restaurant with locations in Murrells Inlet and Florence, South Carolina. Known for flagship brews like Pop's Pilsner, Blackwater Porter, and Waccamaw Wheat, Southern Hops focuses on using local products and serving handcrafted beer and food in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere.
About Riverbend Malt House
Founded in 2010, Riverbend Malt House is the first craft malt house east of the Mississippi River. Headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, Riverbend produces craft malt from regionally grown barley, wheat, rye, and corn, connecting Southeastern family farms with craft brewers and distillers across the region.
Learn more about the U.S. Open Championships and this year’s winners at theusopenchampionsships.com.
