Green Cheek Beer Co. Lands in Japan! 4-Time WBC2023 Winner from California | Untappd 4.14

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*This article is an overview of an overseas brewery. The author has not visited in person. All information is based on reviews from Untappd, BeerAdvocate, and other publicly available data.

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Riho-kun
Riho-kun
Hey, craft beer enthusiast Riho here! Today I’m doing a deep dive into Green Cheek Beer Co., the California brewery that took home 4 awards at World Beer Cup 2023. Thanks to Nagano Trading, their beers are now available in Japan — let me tell you all about them!

What is Green Cheek Beer Co.? A Powerhouse Brewery from Orange County, California

Specialties: West Coast IPA, Hazy IPA, Crispy Lagers, Stouts

Detail Info
Brewery Name Green Cheek Beer Co.
Location Orange, CA 92865
Address 2294 N. Batavia St. Suite C, Orange, CA 92865
Founded 2017
Founders Brian Rauso (CEO) & Evan Price (Head Brewer)
Locations 4 (Orange / Costa Mesa / Sunset Beach / Oceanside)
Employees 100+
Untappd Rating 4.14 / 5 (326,398 ratings / 408,723 check-ins)
Beers Brewed 821 varieties (cumulative)
Website greencheekbeer.com
Instagram @greencheekbeer

Green Cheek Beer Co. is a craft brewery based in Orange County, California, founded in June 2017 by Brian Rauso and Evan Price. The two previously worked together at Noble Ale Works, another Orange County brewery, where Brian served as CEO and Evan as Head Brewer. Recognizing each other’s talents, they struck out on their own to pursue their vision of the perfect beer, and Green Cheek Beer Co. was born.

The name “Green Cheek” comes from the Green Cheek Parakeet, a bird native to South America that somehow established itself in Southern California. Nobody quite knows how it got there — and the founders wanted their brewery to embody that same mysterious, community-embracing spirit.

What started as a two-person operation has grown rapidly. Today, Green Cheek operates four locations — Orange (flagship), Costa Mesa, Sunset Beach, and Oceanside — with over 100 employees. In January 2024, they opened their Oceanside location through the acquisition of Bagby Beer Co. (est. 2014), welcoming legendary brewer Jeff Bagby to the team. Bagby’s Baltic Porter recipe has further strengthened their lager program.

Hop-kun
Hop-kun
Green Cheek’s motto is “DRINK WHILE SMILING”! Their philosophy of “not trying to dominate the market, but making slightly better beer every single day” is really admirable. Evan creates the recipes as the artist, while Brian supports the business side — a truly unbeatable duo!

4 Awards at World Beer Cup 2023! Award History Summary

The biggest reason Green Cheek Beer Co. gained worldwide attention was their 4 awards across 4 categories at World Beer Cup 2023 (WBC2023). At the competition held in Nashville in May 2023, they tied with 10 Barrel Brewing and Fat Head’s Brewery for the most awards of any brewery.

Medal Beer Name Category
🥇 Gold Wherever You Go Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale
🥇 Gold Shhhhhh…This Is Ryan’s Award Winning Brown Ale English-Style Brown Ale
🥈 Silver Guava In Berlin! Contemporary Gose
🥉 Bronze A Permanent Case Of Senioritis Imperial India Pale Ale

What’s particularly noteworthy is that they won gold medals in two completely different styles — Hazy IPA and Brown Ale. This proves their technical ability to brew top-quality beer across a wide range of styles, rather than specializing in just one.

Other Major Awards

Competition Year Beer Medal / Category
GABF 2019 Radiant Beauty Silver / American-style IPA
GABF 2024 (Baltic Porter) Gold / Baltic-style Porter (brewed by Jeff Bagby)
GABF 2025 Doom Sludge Silver / American Black Ale or Stout
GABF 2025 Saison for Papa Silver / Saison
GABF 2025 DDH The Other Brian Bronze / (IPA category)

Beyond WBC2023, they’ve consistently won at GABF (Great American Beer Festival) across multiple years, demonstrating that their excellence is no flash in the pan.

What American Beer Geeks Are Saying — Local Review Roundup

Untappd Ratings

Metric Value
Brewery Average Rating 4.14 / 5
Total Ratings 326,398
Total Check-ins 408,723
Unique Users 54,012
Monthly Check-ins 2,763
Beers Brewed 821 varieties
Community Awards Gold 30 / Silver 33 / Bronze 23

An average rating of 4.14/5 on Untappd puts Green Cheek in elite territory among US craft breweries. With over 400,000 check-ins and 54,000+ unique users, it’s clear they’re not just a niche favorite — they have broad appeal across the beer community.

Top Beers on Untappd

Beer Name Style Untappd Rating
Hi, Everything’s Great! Triple Hazy IPA 4.4 / 5 (1,788 ratings)
DDH The Other Brian Imperial / Double Hazy IPA
DDH Swim Test Triple Hazy IPA
Radiant Beauty American IPA (West Coast)
Enjoying the Pleasantries Hazy IPA 4.2 / 5 (611 ratings)
Bier Helles Lager 3.8 / 5 (1,954 ratings)

“Hi, Everything’s Great!”, a Triple Hazy IPA, leads with a 4.4/5 rating. Their lager “Bier” also earns solid ratings, showcasing their versatility across styles.

BeerAdvocate Reputation

On BeerAdvocate, Green Cheek was selected as one of the “Top 50 New Breweries in America.” Their Orange flagship, Costa Mesa, and Oceanside locations each have individual profile pages, all receiving high marks. The Oceanside location in particular has been praised for its lager program, with reviewers noting that their “lager game is A+,” thanks to Jeff Bagby’s (formerly of Bagby Beer Co.) expertise.

Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine Reviews

The trade publication Craft Beer & Brewing has featured individual beer reviews including “Swim Test,” reflecting the brewery’s strong recognition among industry media.

Riho-kun
Riho-kun
A 4.14/5 on Untappd with over 400,000 check-ins is the real deal. What’s really impressive is that they score high across the board — from IPAs to lagers, goses, and brown ales!

Available in Japan! Beers Imported by Nagano Trading

In April 2025, Nagano Trading brought Green Cheek Beer Co.’s beers to Japan for the first time. Both packaged (canned) and draft products are available.

Beer Name Style ABV Format Untappd Rating
DDH Radiant Beauty DDH West Coast IPA 6.7% Draft 4.17
Chance Favors The Prepared Mind DDH WC DIPA 8.6% Draft / Can
Living in the After West Coast Pilsner 5.6% Draft / Can
It Just Works Cold IPA 7.0% Can
Josh’s New Tiny Shoes WC Session IPA 4.8% Can 3.82
Zombi Shark Fight Italian-style Pilsner 5.2% Can
All Your Friends NZ Style IPA 7.0% Draft / Can
False Memories West Coast IPA 7.0% Draft / Can
Salty Message Gose 4.5% Draft

DDH Radiant Beauty in particular is one of Green Cheek’s flagship beers, a GABF silver medal winner. This DDH (Double Dry Hopped) West Coast IPA features specialty hops from New Zealand and Washington State, delivering luxurious resinous character.

Hop-kun
Hop-kun
Green Cheek’s forte is dank, resinous West Coast IPAs, but don’t sleep on their crispy offerings like Cold IPA and Italian Pilsner! It’s great to see them debut in Japan with such a diverse lineup!

Where to Buy

Green Cheek Beer Co.’s beers are available at the following shops. Quantities are limited, so we recommend checking early if you’re interested.

  • Nagano Trading (Official): naganotrading.com — Direct from the importer
  • Arome: arome.jp — Craft beer specialty shop
  • 151L.shop: 151l.shop — Air-shipped beer retailer
  • Rakuten: Search for “Green Cheek Beer”

*Stock availability varies by shop. Please check each shop’s official website. Beers are air-shipped, ensuring maximum freshness upon arrival.

A Deeper Look at Green Cheek Beer Co.

A West Coast IPA Standard-Bearer

Green Cheek Beer Co. has remained a champion of West Coast IPA even during the Hazy IPA era. Clear, crisp bitterness, piney resinous character, and citrus and tropical fruit hop aromas — they’ve taken the traditional West Coast IPA elements and given them a modern update.

At the same time, they won a WBC gold medal for their Hazy IPA, proving they can excel at trending styles while staying true to their identity. This balance is exactly why beer geeks hold them in such high regard.

Jeff Bagby’s Arrival Elevates Their Lager Game

In January 2024, Green Cheek opened their Oceanside location through the acquisition of Bagby Beer Co. Legendary brewer Jeff Bagby joined the team, bringing his Baltic Porter recipe that went on to win gold at GABF 2024. BeerAdvocate reviewers have praised their “lager game as A+.” With the ability to produce world-class IPAs, lagers, and stouts, Green Cheek’s team depth is their greatest asset.

Other Notable Breweries from Nagano Trading

Check out these other outstanding breweries also imported to Japan by Nagano Trading.

Instagram

Follow Green Cheek Beer Co.’s latest updates on their official Instagram.

@greencheekbeer

Green Cheek Beer Co.’s official Instagram account. Follow for new beer releases and event updates.

Access & Google Maps

Here’s the location of Green Cheek Beer Co.’s Orange flagship (headquarters).

Detail Info
Address 2294 N. Batavia St. Suite C, Orange, CA 92865
Phone (714) 998-8172
Hours (Mon-Thu) 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Hours (Fri) 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Hours (Sat) 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Hours (Sun) 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

*Hours are subject to change. Please check the official website for the latest information before visiting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where is Green Cheek Beer Co. located?

A: It’s a craft brewery headquartered in Orange County, California. Founded in 2017 by Brian Rauso and Evan Price, they currently operate 4 locations: Orange, Costa Mesa, Sunset Beach, and Oceanside.

Q2: What is Green Cheek Beer Co.’s Untappd rating?

A: Their brewery average rating on Untappd is 4.14/5. They’ve received 408,723 check-ins from 54,012 unique users, and have earned 30 gold, 33 silver, and 23 bronze Untappd community awards.

Q3: Where can I buy their beers in Japan?

A: Nagano Trading is the official importer. You can purchase from online shops including Arome (arome.jp), 151L.shop, and Rakuten. Quantities are limited, so check each shop’s website for availability.

Q4: What awards did they win at the World Beer Cup?

A: They won 4 awards at World Beer Cup 2023 (2 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze). “Wherever You Go” won gold in the Juicy or Hazy IPA category, and “Shhhhhh…This Is Ryan’s Award Winning Brown Ale” won gold in the English-Style Brown Ale category. They tied with 10 Barrel Brewing and Fat Head’s Brewery for the most awards at the competition.

Q5: What beer styles does Green Cheek Beer Co. specialize in?

A: They brew a wide range of styles at an elite level, including West Coast IPA, Hazy IPA, crispy lagers, stouts, and goses. Their flagship is the DDH (Double Dry Hopped) West Coast IPA, featuring specialty hops from New Zealand and Washington State known for their resinous character and aroma.

Q6: What’s the best Green Cheek beer to try?

A: Among beers available in Japan, “DDH Radiant Beauty” (DDH WC IPA, 6.7%) is the top recommendation. A GABF award winner, it showcases the quintessential Green Cheek West Coast IPA style. For those who prefer higher ABV, “Chance Favors The Prepared Mind” (DDH WC DIPA, 8.6%) is also excellent.

Q7: What does the name “Green Cheek” mean?

A: It’s named after the Green Cheek Parakeet, a bird that somehow established itself in Southern California. Nobody knows exactly how it got there — and the founders wanted their brewery to embody that same mysterious spirit of naturally blending into the community.

Riho-kun
Riho-kun
4 awards at WBC2023, consistent GABF wins every year, and a 4.14/5 on Untappd — Green Cheek Beer Co. is an essential name in today’s California craft beer scene. Now that Nagano Trading is bringing their beers to Japan, definitely give them a try!

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