The celebrations die down in Denver this week, but they continue across the country as 100′s of breweries and brewpubs fly home with their medals. These gold, silver and bronze beauties will be hung in tasting rooms across America to show patrons and tourists that they are at a quality craft beer establishment. This year competition entries were received from 526 breweries in 48 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.

The lasting impressions of the Great American Beer Festival shouldn’t stop with the 248 awards that were given out at Saturday’s ceremony or the many pages of 1 ounce tasting notes jotted down by the 49,000 attendees. For example, did you know that brewpubs–pubs or restaurants that brew beer primarily (25% or more) for sale on site–make up near 60% of all craft breweries in the U.S.? Let’s stop and take a moment to think about the huge impact these brewpubs have to the craft beer industry as a whole as well as our local economies. Let’s help educate those around us on just how important it is to support your local brewpub.

There may be no better place to do just that than here in San Diego; home of Pizza Port Carlsbad, winner of 6 medals and the Large Brewpub of the Year award, and Pizza Port Ocean Beach, winner of 4 medals and the Small Brewpub of the Year award. Not satisfied with these two amazing locations? Pizza Port Solana Beach brought home a gold and a silver, Rock Bottom La Jolla a gold, and Rock Bottom San Diego a silver. In all, 14 of San Diego’s 20 medals–and all 6 golds–were won by brewpubs.

During Friday’s GABF media lunch briefing Julia Herz of the Brewers Association set down a goal for the industry in the shape of a growler. She says that brewpubs will not have truly arrived until every food editor and Food Network star in the U.S. can say they know what a growler is and that they’ve toured their local brewpub.

So join in, host your next birthday party at a brewpub, help plan a meet-up at your local brewpub. Or just introduce yourself to the fine brewer behind the glass next time you walk by on your way to the bathroom. Remember, they’re motivated by smiling and waving patrons, especially ones who walk out the door with growler in hand.