The FIFA World Cup begins next month, but Rhode Island already has a winner in a different worldwide challenge. 

Trágmar Ale Works in Bristol just took home the gold for best Irish Red Ale at the 2026 World Beer Cup, beating out 72 other entries with its Goibniu ale.

In Irish mythology, Goibniu is associated with smithing, brewing, and hospitality.

I asked Mike Godet, owner and co-founder of Trágmar Ale Works, to tell us more about his company's big win and give us an outlook on the future of beer in Rhode Island.

Q: You opened just last year, and now you’re bringing home what’s essentially the Olympics of beer competitions. Has the recognition changed the way you think about the business or what’s possible for the brewery? 

Godet: It is absolutely an honor to be recognized for all the hard work put in to designing and brewing this beer. I am so thankful to be able to earn this award after one year of operating. The focus has always been on drinkability. The hope is that more people will hear about us and want to come visit us in the tap room in Bristol, and share a pint of Goibniu as well as our other great selection of beers. We built this brewery around crafting great drinkable beers while also having a sense of community where all are welcome to gather and share a great story and a pint. We are a small brewery, and with only have been operating for a year hope this award can assist us with getting the word out there so people can see what we are all about.

Q: A lot of breweries chased trends over the last decade — hazy IPAs, pastry stouts, sour everything. You won with an Irish red ale, which feels almost old-school. Do you think drinkers are rediscovering more traditional styles? 

Godet: For us, the Irish Red ale is our flagship beer. We are an Irish / Celtic mythology themed brewery and regularly host traditional Irish music. We focus on Irish and traditional styles of beer while also incorporating new world ideas and beer styles. We also make hazy IPA, pastry stouts, and sour, to satisfy all beer drinkers to visit. We have 13 tap lines and typically will not have more than two IPAs on tap at a time: one single IPA and one double IPA. We also make cider and seltzer to offer gluten-free and non-beer drinkers something to enjoy. We make a little bit of everything while focusing on drinkability and flavor.

Q: For someone who’s never tried Goibniu Irish Red Ale, what makes it special?  

Godet: I think what makes it special is the drinkability around it. It is very clean and refreshing. This beer is all about the malt. Caramel dominates the flavor but doesn’t linger with a large amount of sweetness. The flavor seems to wash clean off your palate as you drink it and every sip you take has you wanting more. There are also hints of toast and a slight cherry ester that comes through in the flavor. I believe the judges loved it because it is very well balanced and has a strong drinkability factor. The color is a dark red color which can be intimidating for some making it look like a heavier beer in the glass, but it is very drinkable.

Q: Rhode Island has always had a strong local beer culture, but it’s not usually mentioned alongside bigger craft beer states. What do you think this award says about the brewing scene here right now? 

Godet: There is a lot of craft beer in the market today. It is challenging to have your brand stand out in such a flooded market. Not only do we hope that this award puts Tragmar Ale Works on the map but also helps Rhode Island stand out on the beer map. This is the first time a Rhode Island brewery has taken home a gold medal in the World Beer Cup. Last year, Phantom Farms brewery took home a silver medal for one of their beers, a Saison. In the past two years, two new breweries have acquired medals in the World Beer Cup, so I hope this helps bring more attention to the beer industry in the state.

Q: The craft beer industry has been going through a strange moment lately — younger people are drinking less, breweries are closing, and tastes keep shifting. What gives you optimism about the future of beer right now?  

Godet: I think the difficulty for craft beer and younger people has always been the same; they are new to drinking alcohol and exploring all the flavors because they are not sure what they like. There are so many types of beverages out there now including THC drinks and seltzers on top of beer, wine, and spirits. The other challenge is the price point. All cost is up but craft beer has always been more expensive than other macro produced beers that smaller breweries can’t compete with the price point. 

I think once the younger people venture into the craft beer flavors they tend to switch over. I think habits have changed a bit about going out as well. It’s hard to keep up with the wants of the consumer but I believe if you can put out a quality product consistently people will come back knowing that their favorite beer is always available for them; and mix in some other flavors as well. Even though breweries seem to be closing every day I stay optimistic because each time one closes a new one arises. I am optimistic because I love the process of making beer and having the ability to share it with my community. Beer has been around since the beginning of civilization, and I want to be a part of that.