An editor's work is never done. At least, it is rare for our minds to stop thinking of story ideas. The perfect example? I was sitting at home this summer and watching Michael Phelps crush it at the Olympics [2] while brainstorming about story ideas for 5280's Great American Beer Fest coverage [3]. Before Phelps could reach the podium one last time, I had a nagging question: Is there a Michael Phelps of GABF? 

Thanks to a handy winner archive at GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com [4], I was able to sort through the stouts and ales and find an answer. I decided to focus on Colorado breweries. (While Colorado enjoys home state advantage, that doesn't ensure victory; just do a search for California and you'll see what I mean.)

Not surprisingly, the older, established breweries can boast about earning the most medals. The SandLot Brewery has nearly 40 (In addition, Coors [5] has at least 37 more). The Rock Bottom breweries [6] have 27; New Belgium Brewing [7] claims 25; and Denver-favorite Great Divide Brewing Co. [8] has 17. Of note, New Belgium has the most gold medals (at least 13). 

I couldn't stop there: Here, the most award-winning Colorado beers at GABF. 

Bristol Brewing Company's Laughing Lab Scottish Ale [9] (9 wins)

New Belgium Brewing's Abbey Belgian Style Ale  [10](8 wins)

Coors Brewing's Coors Light [11] (6 wins)

Steamworks Brewing Company's Steam Engine Lager [12](6 wins)

Tommyknocker Brewery's Butthead Bock [13] (5 wins)

Walnut Brewery's Old Elk Brown Ale [14] (5 wins)

New Belgium Brewery's La Folie [15] (5 wins)

How many have you tried? Any predictions for how this year's competition will impact the rankings? 

*Breweries: We know that no dataset is perfect, so if we're missing a medal, tell us! We'll update this page. 

—Image: Randy Miramontez/Shutterstock.com [16]

Follow senior editor Natasha Gardner on Twitter at @natashajgardner [17] or on Pinterest [18].