*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.
🍺 If you could only try one: DDH Radiant Beauty (DDH West Coast IPA, ABV 6.7%) — The quintessential flagship that captures the essence of WC IPA

- What is Green Cheek Beer Co.? A Powerhouse Brewery from Orange County, California
- 4 Awards at World Beer Cup 2023! Award History Summary
- What American Beer Geeks Are Saying — Local Review Roundup
- Available in Japan! Beers Imported by Nagano Trading
- Where to Buy
- A Deeper Look at Green Cheek Beer Co.
- Other Notable Breweries from Nagano Trading
- Access & Google Maps
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q1: Where is Green Cheek Beer Co. located?
- Q2: What is Green Cheek Beer Co.’s Untappd rating?
- Q3: Where can I buy their beers in Japan?
- Q4: What awards did they win at the World Beer Cup?
- Q5: What beer styles does Green Cheek Beer Co. specialize in?
- Q6: What’s the best Green Cheek beer to try?
- Q7: What does the name “Green Cheek” mean?
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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 |
| @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.

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.

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.

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.
- Hop Butcher For The World (Chicago) — Untappd 4.14 ultra-popular IPA brewery
- Trillium Brewing Company (Boston) — RateBeer World #3, legendary Hazy IPA brewery
- Almanac Beer Co. (California) — Untappd 3.98 established brewery
- Embolden Beer Co. (San Diego) — World’s first Matcha Hazy IPA “Shogun” series
- Complete Guide to DDH & TDH Beers — From basics to practice of dry hopping techniques
Follow Green Cheek Beer Co.’s latest updates on their official Instagram.
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.


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