North Carolina
Top Taps: North Carolina breweries win big at U.S. beer championship
Breweries from all over America submitted their suds with the hopes of being named the best beer in the country, and North Carolina made a strong showing in 2025.
The U.S. Open Beer Championship was held in Oxford, Ohio, this week, and the championship medal winners were announced in over 100 different beer categories.
From IPAs and stouts to fruity beers (and even root beer) — North Carolina has some of the best. Breweries from the Tar Heel State were represented in the winners list of over 40 categories.
RELATED >> These Charlotte-area breweries take home World Beer Cup medals
Take a look at the categories featuring winners from North Carolina. (Breweries based in the Charlotte area are marked with an asterisk.)
3: American Strong Pale Ale
Gold: Green Envy – Fullsteam Brewery – North Carolina
Silver: Lucid AF – Liquid Mechanics Brewing – Colorado
Bronze: Electri-Fly IPA – Wild Ride Brewing – Oregon
14: Session IPA
*Gold: Gentle Giant – Primal Brewery – North Carolina
Silver: Sesh Coast Lager – Evans Brewing Co – California
Bronze: Corporate Estate – Celestial Beerworks – Texas
16: Fruit IPA
Gold: Mastiff – Boss Dog Brewing – Ohio
Silver: Regal Beagle – Boss Dog Brewing – Ohio
*Bronze: The Big O – Sugar Creek Brewing Company – North Carolina
19: New England/Juicy IPA
*Gold: Planet Pulp – Triple C Brewing Company – North Carolina
Silver: Uncurious – Druthers Brewing Co. – New York
Bronze: Meet Me at Doo Wops – Lost Shoe Brewing – Massachusetts
21: Experimental IPA
*Gold: Lil’ SLURP – NoDa Brewing Company – North Carolina
*Silver: EZ Baked – Replay Brewing – South Carolina
Bronze: Byclops – SDB Brewing Company – California
23 (A-B): Single Hop IPA
Gold: Gold Top – Brink Brewing – Ohio
*Silver: Island Hopper IPA – Pilot Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze: Bury Me In Strata – The Southern Growl Beer Company – South Carolina
28: Oatmeal Stout
Gold: Thunderball – Eudora Brewing Company – Ohio
Silver: Not a Cure for Baldness – Buck Bald Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze: Overnight Oats – Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery – Texas
37: English Summer Ale
Gold: Farmhouse – Crystal Lake Brewing- Illinois
Silver: Approachable Blonde – Municipal Brew Works – Ohio
*Bronze: Yarnburner – Neoteric Brewing Company – North Carolina
39: ESB
Gold: Pub Ale – Bright Penny Brewing – North Carolina
Silver: Pale Ale – Boulevard Brewing Company – Missouri
Bronze: My Turn Katie ESB – Lakefront Brewery – Wisconsin
50 (A-B): Strong Scottish Ale
Gold: Hammer Throw – Lost Province Brewing Co – North Carolina
Silver: Wallace Tavern Scotch Ale – Market Garden Brewery – Ohio
Bronze: Mulligan – Grand Junction Brewing Company – Indiana
Bronze: Old Crank – Schoolcraft Brewery – Michigan
54: American Brown Ale
Gold: Throwback Brown – Hodad’s Brewing Company – California
Silver: Not a Planet – Site-1 Brewing Co – Nebraska
Bronze: Buster Brown Ale – Dingo Dog Brewing Company – North Carolina
56: German Altbier
Gold: Alternative Medicine – Lakeville Brewing Company – Minnesota
Silver: Waha Negra – Oklawaha Brewing Company – North Carolina
Bronze: Rubber Chicken Red – Franklins Restaurant Brewery and General Store – Maryland
57: German Kolssch
Gold: Lake Hopp’r – Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. – Florida
Silver: Brandstafter – Incendiary Brewing Company – North Carolina
Bronze: Kolsch – Union Bear Brewing – plano – Texas
60: French and Belgian Saison
Gold: Le Saison – Vista Brewing – Texas
*Silver: New Slang Belgian Saison – Americana Beer Company – North Carolina
Bronze: Little Batteau – Braided River Brewing – Alabama
63: Belgian Dubbel
Gold: Dubbel Down – Braided River Brewing – Alabama
*Silver: Belgian Dubbel – Sugar Creek Brewing Company – North Carolina
Bronze: Coriolis Effect – Loose Ends Brewing – Ohio
Bronze: Chugboat Island – Buckstin Brewing Company – Texas
65: Belgian Quadrupel
*Gold: Belgian Quad – Sugar Creek Brewing Company – North Carolina
Silver: Two Brewers are Better Than One – Silver Harbor Brewing – Michigan
Bronze: Nakatomi Nights – Flix Brewhouse-SAT – Texas
67 (A-E): Belgian Lambic
Gold: Squared Pants – 2 Silos Brewing Co – Virginia
Silver: Stupid Sexy Flanders – Sun King Brewery – Indiana
Bronze: Faithful Instruction – Monday Night Brewing – Georgia
Bronze: The Forever Echo of Your Laugh – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina
70: Leipzig-Style Gose
Gold: The Dare – Druthers Brewing Co. – New York
Silver: Gose – Ponysaurus Brewing – North Carolina
72: Contemporary Gose
Gold: Aloha State of Mind – COVA Brewing Company – Virginia
*Silver: Huckleberry Cheesecake Gose Pilot Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze: Punk Fuzz – MachineHead Brewing Co. – California
74: Smoothie Sour
Gold: Reapers Eye – Atrium Brewing – Kentucky
Silver: Lovely Patrol: Double (POG Juice) – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina
Bronze: Beach Vibes – Savage Craft Ale Works – South Carolina
78: American Amber
Gold: De Nada – Appalachian Mountain Brewery – North Carolina
Silver: Can I Pet Your Dog? – Ope Brewing Co – Wisconsin
Bronze: Elbow Bender – Wagon Wheel Brewing – California
79: California Common Beer
Gold: 1915 – Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. – Florida
*Silver: Last Day at the Office – Neoteric Brewing Company – North Carolina
Bronze: 1702 Steam Engine – Mountain Layers Brewing CO. – North Carolina
81: German-Style Pilsener
Gold: An Honest Man – New Berlin Brewing Company – Ohio
Silver: A Cold One – Reformation Brewery – Georgia
Bronze: Shimmer Pils – Discretion Brewing – California
Bronze: Pils – Wicked Weed Brewing – North Carolina
82 E: Rice Lager
Gold: Migoto Rice Lager – Big Island Brewhaus – Hawaii
Silver: Rice Lager – Ponysaurus Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze: Rice Lager – Central Machine Works Brewery – Texas
84: Munchner Helles
Gold: Helles Lager – Central Machine Works Brewery – Texas
Silver: High Point Helles – Wild Leap Brew Co – Georgia
Bronze: Haus Helles – Wicked Weed Brewing – North Carolina
85: Munchner Dunkel
Gold: Flannel Weather – The Bier Garden – North Carolina
Silver: Penn Dark – Penn Brewery – Pennsylvania
Bronze: Decrepify – Geisthaus Brewing Company – California
88: German-Style Schwarzbier
*Gold: Shrouded Reflections of Moonlight 760 Craft Works – North Carolina
Silver: Schwarzbier – Union Bear Brewing – Plano – Texas
Bronze: Black Lager – Frost Town Brewing – Texas
95 (A-B): Dark Lager
Gold: 13 Degrees – Confluence Brewing Company – Iowa
Silver: Rain Czech – Clouds Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze: El Lauro Muro – Brink Brewing – Ohio
97: American-Style Wheat Beer
Gold: Float Trip – Piney River Brewing Co. – Missouri
*Silver: Uncle John’s – Triple C Brewing Company – North Carolina
Bronze: 5G – Saddle Mountain Brewing Company – Arizona
Bronze: Whoopty Whoop Hefeweizen – Wild Ride Brewing – Oregon
99 a: American-Style Fruit Beer – Raspberry
*Gold: Anniversary Stout – Model A Brewing – South Carolina
Silver: Fresh! Raspberry – Reuben’s Brews – Washington
Bronze: Razz Becky – Pondaseta Brewing Co. – Texas
99 C: American-Style Fruit Beer – Orange
Gold: Bell’s Oberon Light – Bell’s Brewery – Michigan
Silver: Anytime Wing Man – Flix Brewhouse Oklahoma City – Oklahoma
*Bronze: Zest A Peel – Triple C Brewing Company – North Carolina
99 J: American-Style Fruit Beer – Strawberry
*Gold: Strawberry Shandy – Southern Range Brewing – North Carolina
Silver: Belly Flop – Lucky Bucket Brewing Company – Nebraska
Bronze: Bella Brie – Inside the Five Brewing Company – Ohio
100 L: Fruit Wheat Beer – Mixed
Gold: POG Slammer – Wild Barley Kitchen and Brewery – Texas
Silver: Blender Bender – Berry – Ledgeview Brewing Company – Indiana
Bronze: Mebane Skyline – Bright Penny Brewing – North Carolina
100 M: Fruit Wheat Beer – General/Other
Gold: Banana Wheat – Whistle Hop Brewing Company – North Carolina
Silver: Blueberry Cobbler Payday – Side Hustle Brewing Company – South Carolina
Bronze: Pineapple Mana Wheat – Maui Brewing Co – Hawaii
108: Coffee Beer Light
Gold: Cowboy Coffee – Lost Province Brewing Co – North Carolina
Silver: Blue Boathouse – Fox River Brewing – Wisconsin
Bronze: Spill The Beans – Blue Heron Brewery – Ohio
115: Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter
Gold: GSO Barrel Select Stout 2024 – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina
Silver: 3 year Barrel Aged Family Reserve Sleepy Bear – Werk Force Brewing – Illinois
Bronze: Eclipse – Frey Ranch – FiftyFifty Brewing Co. – California
117: Barrel-Aged Strong Stout/Porter Specialty
Gold: Maple Grenade – Silver Harbor Brewing – Michigan
Silver: BA Pumpkinhead – Pontoon Brewing – Georgia
Bronze: Ammo Can: Lima One – Forgotten Road Ales – North Carolina
120: Barrel-Aged Fruited Sour Beer
Gold: Daydreamer – Vista Brewing – Texas
Silver: The Virtue of Patience – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Angels in the Architecture – Bold Monk Brewing Co – Georgia
Bronze: Black Angel – Wicked Weed Brewing – North Carolina
135: Kellerbier or Zwickelbier
Gold: Kellermeister – Brink Brewing – Ohio
Silver: Bobby Beer – Oklawaha Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze: Pleasing Gene – Little Brother Brewing – North Carolina
136 (128+137): Brett Beer
Gold: Free Range Farmhouse – Sun King Brewery – Indiana
Silver: All of the Positions – Forbidden Root Columbus – Ohio
Bronze: Coming To Fruition: Cherry – Oregon City Brewing – Oregon
Bronze: Beauty In The Cracks – Twin Leaf Brewery – North Carolina
141: Peanut/Peanut Butter Beer
Gold: Dark Aura – Third Eye Brewing Company (Hamilton) – Ohio
Silver: Not Sorry – Southern Ohio Brewing – Ohio
Bronze: D’s Nuts – Oklawaha Brewing Company – North Carolina
142: Nut Beer
Gold: Scattered Castles – Project Halo Brewing – Texas
Silver: D’s Hazelnuts – Oklawaha Brewing Company – North Carolina
Bronze: Pistachio Cream Ale – Platt Park Brewing – Colorado
144: Historical Beer – C: Grodziskie
Gold: Smocze Pragnienie – Allusion Brewing Company – Pennsylvania
Silver: Grodziskie – Goldfinger Brewing Company – Illinois
Bronze: Smoke Over Lublin – Mountain Layers Brewing CO. – North Carolina
147: Root Beer: A – Kids
Gold: Marsh Water Low Tide Brewing – South Carolina
Silver: Bright Penny Root Beer Bright Penny Brewing – North Carolina
Bronze: No Label Root Beer No Label Brewing Co – Texas
151: Non-Alcoholic Malt Beverage: E – Wheat Ales
Gold: Yuzu Ginger Shandy – Best Day Brewing – Colorado
Silver: Gruvi Weekday Wit – Gruvi – Colorado
*Bronze: Wheat Without Worry – Primal Brewery – North Carolina
(VIDEO: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery opens second location)
North Carolina
North Carolina (NCHSAA) High School Softball 2026 State Playoff Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – May 11
The 2026 North Carolina high school softball state playoff brackets are out, and High School On SI has all eight brackets with matchups and schedules for every team.
The first round begins on May 5, and the playoffs will culminate with the NCHSAA state championships being played May 27-30 at Duke University in Durham.
2026 North Carolina High School Baseball State Tournament Schedule
May 5: First Round
May 8: Second Round
May 12: Third Round
May 15: Fourth Round
May 19-23: Regionals
May 27-30: State Championships
North Carolina (NCHSAA) High School Softball 2026 State Playoff Brackets, Matchups, Schedule – May 11
CLASS 1A BRACKET (select to view full bracket details)
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Bear Grass Charter vs. No. 5 Vance Charter
No. 3 East Columbus vs. No. 2 Northside – Pinetown
No. 1 Robbinsville vs. No. 5 Falls Lake Academy
No. 6 Bethany Community vs. No. 2 Oxford Preperatory
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 North Duplin vs. No. 8 Camden County
No. 5 Rosewood vs. No. 4 East Carteret
No. 3 Perquimans vs. No. 11 Pamlico County
No. 10 Franklin Academy vs. No. 2 Manteo
No. 1 South Stanly vs. No. 9 East Wilkes
No. 5 South Stokes vs. No. 4 Starmount
No. 3 Swain County vs. No. 6 Murphy
No. 7 Highland Tech vs. No. 2 Roxboro Community
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Midway vs. No. 9 Providence
No. 12 Wallace-Rose Hill vs. No. 4 Heide Trask
No. 3 Farmville Central vs. No. 11 Ayden – Grifton
No. 10 Northwood vs. No. 2 McMichael
No. 1 West Lincoln vs. No. 8 Union Academy
No. 5 Draughn vs No. 4 Pine Lake Preperatory
No. 3 West Davidson vs. No. 11 East Surry
No. 7 Walkertown vs. No. 2 West Wilkes
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Randleman vs. No. 9 Nash Central
No. 5 Bunn vs. No. 4 East Duplin
No. 3 Southwest Onslow vs. No. 6 Roanoke Rapids
No. 7 Ledford Senior vs. No. 2 Central Davidson
No. 1 West Stokes vs. No. 8 Forbush
No. 5 Pisgah vs. No. 4 West Stanly
No. 19 North Surry vs. No. 11 Foard
No. 10 Mount Pleasant vs. No, 2 Bunker Hill
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Southeast Alamance vs. No. 8 C.B. Aycock
No. 5 Seaforth vs. No. 4 Rockingham County
No. 3 Eastern Alamance vs. No. 6 West Carteret
No. 7 South Brunswick vs. No. 2 Southern Nash
No. 1 Enka vs. No. 9 Oak Grove
No. 5 Crest vs. No. 13 West Rowan
No. 3 North Davidson vs. No. 6 Franklin
No. 10 East Rowan vs. No. 2 North Lincoln
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Union Pines vs. No. 9 South Johnston
No. 5 South View vs. No. 4 Gray’s Creek
No. 3 J.H. Rose vs. No. 6 Harnett Central
No. 7 Triton vs. No. 2 West Brunswick
No. 1 Kings Mountain vs. No. 8 Charlotte Catholic
No. 5 Alexander vs. No. 13 T.C. Roberson
No. 3 Piedmont vs. No. 6 Central Cabarrus
No. 10 A.C. Reynolds vs. No. 2 South Caldwell
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 D.H. Conley vs. No. 8 Wake Forest
No. 5 Purnell Sweet vs. No. 4 Cleveland
No. 3 Heritage vs. No. 6 Topsail
No. 7 South Central vs. No. 2 New Bern
No. 1 Weddington vs. No. 8 Mooresville
No. 5 A.L. Brown vs. No. 4 Hickory Ridge
No. 3 East Forsyth vs. No. 11 Porter Ridge
No. 7 Ronald Reagan vs. No. 2 South Iredell
Third Round – May 12
No. 1 Willow Spring vs. No. 4 Hoggard
No. 3 E.A. Laney vs. No. 2 Cornith Holders
No. 1 Providence vs. No. 4 Hough
No. 3 West Forsyth vs. No. 2 Apex Friendship
More Coverage from High School on SI
Follow
North Carolina
Perspective | What North Carolina gets right about workforce: Progress beyond politics
Across the country, workforce development is often framed as a policy challenge. In North Carolina, we’ve come to understand it as something more fundamental: a shared responsibility between educators and employers that works best when it rises above politics. It is a nonpartisan priority with bipartisan support — and a clear focus on outcomes.
North Carolina’s approach to workforce and talent development offers a different model — one grounded in collaboration, consistency, data, and a relentless focus on student and employer needs.
Over the past several years, our state has aligned around an ambitious goal: ensuring that 2 million North Carolinians ages 25-44 hold a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree by 2030. myFutureNC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, led by a bipartisan Board of Directors, that was created to champion this work.
This goal is not owned by a single administration or political party. It is the state’s attainment goal — codified in law with bipartisan support and signed by the governor — to ensure North Carolina remains economically competitive now and into the future. The work is guided by leaders across business, education, policymakers, and philanthropy.
Sign up for Awake58, our newsletter on all things community college.
This kind of alignment doesn’t happen by accident. It requires trust, discipline, and a willingness to prioritize long-term impact over short-term wins — placing the needs of students and employers above the silos that often define education and workforce systems.
North Carolina’s leaders don’t agree on everything, and unanimity is not what makes this work. There is broad agreement on a set of essential truths: Talent is the top driver of economic development. Education fuels economic prosperity, public safety, and healthier communities. Having a robust educational system and an educated population is one of our state’s greatest assets. Economic mobility matters. And preparing people for meaningful work benefits everyone.
This alignment is delivering results. North Carolina has been named the No. 1 state for business three out of the past four years and ranks No. 1 for workforce — reinforcing what’s possible when leaders stay focused on shared priorities.
This strong foundation has enabled progress in areas that often stall in partisan debate. Through strategic policy and philanthropic investments, the state has expanded pathways into high-demand careers, strengthened connections between education and industry, and increased access to work-based learning opportunities, including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.
That same foundation is shaping how policy is developed in real time. The proposed Workforce Act of 2026 reflects North Carolina’s cross-sector approach — bringing together business and education leaders, policymakers, and philanthropists to strengthen pathways into high-demand careers and expand access to work-based learning. Rather than introducing a new direction, this Act builds on what is already working, demonstrating how alignment can translate into coordinated action.
The bipartisan-led Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships puts this approach into practice. Building on the state’s existing foundation, the council brings together leaders from industry, education, and government to strengthen coordination across the workforce system. Its value lies not in setting a new direction, but in reinforcing and accelerating a shared one.
This is what it looks like to build systems designed to last. Workforce development is not a one-year initiative or a single funding cycle — it is a long-term investment in people, communities, employers, and the educational infrastructure that supports them. North Carolina’s progress is rooted in structures that bring partners together consistently, align efforts across sectors, and create continuity beyond political cycles.
By embedding collaboration into how the work gets done — not just what gets prioritized — the state has created a model that can evolve over time while staying focused on its goals.
Work remains to be done. Gaps in attainment persist, and ensuring opportunity reaches every corner of the state will require continued focus and innovation. But North Carolina’s significant progress and continued success being No. 1 nationally in many related categories demonstrates what is possible when leaders choose partnership over partisanship.
At a time when it’s easy to focus on what divides us, North Carolina offers a reminder: Some of the most important work we do — preparing people for the future of work and ensuring employers have access to skilled talent — is our north star and unifying force.
And in our shared goal of 2 million by 2030, we are not just building a stronger workforce. We are building a stronger state — for today and for generations to come.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — (AP/WNCN) — The remains of a U.S. Army soldier with ties to North Carolina who went missing during military exercises in Morocco a week ago have been recovered in the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. military said Sunday. Military teams are still searching for a second missing soldier.
The remains found are those of 1st Lt. Kendrick Lamont Key Jr., a 14A Air Defense Artillery officer, who was one of two U.S. soldiers who fell off a cliff during a recreational hike in Morocco while off duty.
Key, 27, from Richmond, Virginia, was a graduate of Methodist University in Fayetteville.
The two were reported missing on May 2 after participating in African Lion, annual multinational military exercises held in Morocco.
Key earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Methodist University in Fayetteville, with minors in international business, entrepreneurship, and business administration.
“A Moroccan military search team found the Soldier in the water along the shoreline at approximately 8:55 a.m. local time May 9, within roughly one mile of where both Soldiers reportedly entered the ocean,” U.S Army Europe and Africa said in a statement.
The two went missing around 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area outside Tan-Tan, a terrain characterized by mountains, desert and semidesert plains, according to the Moroccan military.
Their disappearance triggered a search-and-rescue operation involving more than 600 personnel from the United States, Morocco and other military partners. The operation deployed frigates, vessels, helicopters and drones.
Search efforts will continue for the missing second soldier, a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they were not allowed to speak publicly on the issue.
The official said a U.S. contingent remained in Morocco after the multinational war games ended Friday to provide command and control and to continue search and rescue operations.
Key was assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, U.S Army Europe and Africa said.
He entered military service in 2023 as an officer candidate and earned his commission through Officer Candidate School in 2024 as an Air Defense Artillery officer. He later completed the Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to the statement.
Key is survived by his father, Kendrick Key Sr.; his mother, Jihan Key; his sister, Dakota Debose-Hill; and his brother-in-law, U.S. Army Spc. James Brown.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY NEWS
MORE FROM CBS 17
The search-and-rescue operation, now in its ninth day, has covered more than 12,000 square kilometers of sea and littoral zone, currently adding around 3,000 square kilometers per day.
The soldiers had been taking part in African Lion 26, a U.S.-led exercise launched in April across four countries – Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal – with more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations. Since 2004, it has been the largest U.S. joint military exercise in Africa.
In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured during a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in the exercises.
-
Pennsylvania3 minutes agoPA targets AI developers for allegedly misleading users
-
Rhode Island9 minutes agoOne Big Question After RHORI Renewal
-
South-Carolina15 minutes ago
Missouri’s new US House map goes to court while Louisiana and South Carolina consider redistricting
-
South Dakota21 minutes agoSD Lottery Powerball, Lotto America winning numbers for May 11, 2026 – AOL
-
Tennessee27 minutes agoMemphis voters file federal lawsuit against new congressional map, claiming discrimination: ‘White control over Tennessee politics’
-
Texas33 minutes ago
Texas sues Netflix for allegedly spying on kids, addicting users
-
Utah39 minutes agoData centers raise air quality and environmental concerns in Utah, doctor says
-
Vermont45 minutes ago
VT Lottery Powerball, Gimme 5 results for May 11, 2026
