Thompson Island Brewing wins gold in national beer competition Thompson Island Brewing Company brewers celebrate their win at the U.S. Open Brewing Beer Championship. The Rehoboth brewpub won first place in the American IPA category and third in the chocolate-cocoa beer category. Shown are (l-r) Jimmy Valm, Andrew Egerton and Damon Goldsboro. SUBMITTED PHOTO December 23, 2020 Thompson Island Brewing Company in Rehoboth Beach won a gold medal for Thompson Island IPA at the U.S. Open Brewing Beer Championship. Glazed & Confused earned a bronze in the chocolate-cocoa beer category. “Winning a gold medal at this competition is a thrill,” says Jimmy Valm, Thompson Island brewmaster. “This year, there were more than 6,000 entries and more than 140 styles.”