Holly Springs, NC, October 11, 2026 — Local Time Brewing won a silver medal for its Vinland Honey Lager at the 2026 Great American Beer Festival competition, with winners announced today in Denver, CO. The downtown Holly Springs brewery’s American copper lager, brewed with orange blossom honey, placed second in the Honey Beer category.
Chris and Kelly Gallagher founded Local Time in 2022, and the brewery also operates a taproom in Lillington. Head Brewer Devin Singley leads its brewing program, drawing on ingredients and brewing traditions from around the world.
“Our whole team is thrilled to see Vinland recognized on a national stage,” said Chris Gallagher, co-owner of Local Time Brewing. “We put a lot of thought and care into our beers, from the ingredients we choose to the stories that inspire them. This medal is a tremendous validation of that work, and I’m especially proud of Devin and our entire team.”
Presented by the Brewers Association, the annual competition awarded 336 medals this year. Judges evaluated 7,267 beer and cider entries from across 49 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
In the Honey Beer category, UPP Liquids of Bend, Oregon, won gold for Buzz Box, while Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown, New York, took bronze for Ommegang Farm Fresh Ale. Other North Carolina medalists included Hillsborough’s Eno River Brewing, which earned bronze in American Sour Ale, and Greensboro’s Little Brother Brewing, which won gold in Strong Porter.
“We opened Local Time to share our love of great beer, travel and community,” Gallagher said. “To bring an award like this home to Holly Springs and Lillington is incredibly special. We’re grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.”
Local Time Brewing (https://localtimebrewing.com/about-us/)
300 S Main St, Ste 204
Holly Springs, NC 27540
It’s not a mead. The base ingredient is malted barley. It’s an American Copper Lager with Orange Blossom honey added in whirlpool.
Is this a mead?