W.Va.’s only homebrewing competition attracts national participation
The annual Mountain Brewer Open took place last weekend in Huntington. The sanctioned competition is attracting more and more entries from brewers across the U.S. This year there were 187 entries (53 brewers) from 22 states, making it a tough contest.
Brewers are required to submit two unmarked bottles of beer that is to be entered into a specific style category. A mixture of certified and novice judges are chosen to judge each entry per specific Beer Judge Certification Program-style guidelines. There are as many as 20 groupings or ‘flights’ to break up the entries amongst the available judges. The first place winning beers from each flight then are judged against each other for “Best of Show,” the sweetest prize for a brewer.
The Mountain Brewer Open is organized and operated by the Greater Huntington Homebrewers Association and is sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association and the BJCP.
Best of Show was awarded to a Robust Porter brewed by Charleston-area brewer Cody Wiseman. I have tasted a few of Cody’s beers and, in fact, judged his winning beer. He is fairly new to homebrewing and is doing a fine job. I hope he keeps it up.
The competition was stiff, with beer entries from many very experienced and award-winning brewers. Cody’s beer was chosen over a barleywine submitted by Gordon Strong, one of the nation’s few grand master-ranked beer judges. I only garnered a third place for an IPA, out of my six entries. So hats off to Cody!
For a complete list of winners, or if you are interested in the homebrewing hobby, please visit the GHHA website at: http://hbd.org/ghha/ The Beer Judge Certification Program’s beer style guidelines can be downloaded at no charge at: www.bjcp.org
