Letter: 2021 Home Brew Contest winners

To the Editor:

Brew-nited we Stand! The Oswegoland Park District hosted our annual Oswego Home Brew Contest on Friday, Oct. 8. This contest is held in connection with the Oswego Brew at the Bridge Craft Beer Festival.

We received 40 entries from brewers in six different categories. Thank you to our partners at the Oswego Brewing Company and additional judges from Skeleton Key Brewery for judging all entries.

In the Belgians category, first place went to Tony Daniels for “The Dirty Dozen” (Belgian Quad), second place went to Nick Mehis for “Be Mary” (Belgian Tripel) and third place went to Michael Jacobs for “ferme idiote” (Saison).

In the Hoppy category, first place went to Brian Whitaker for “Momee Beahr” (American IPA), second place went to Pablo Guerrero for “M-IPA” (IPA) and third place went to Monte Weirman & Dennis Jabczynski for “Piney the Bench Coach” (Double IPA).

In the Light Ales & Lagers category, first place went to Michael Jacobs for “Kolsch Me Outside” (Kolsch), second place went toVince Contreras for “Achtoberfest” (Octoberfest Marzen) and third place went to Monte Weirman & Dennis Jabczynski for “Warning Track Kolsch” (Kolsch).

In the Ambers & Browns category, first place went to Tony Daniels for “Hellifino” (English Barleywine), second place went to Jim Richter for “Mustache Ride” (Maple-Coffee Brown Ale) and third place went to Ron Benner for “Sea Salt Caramel” (Barrel Aged Brown Ale).

In the Dark beers category, first place went to Derek Ridge for “Harvest Moon Eclipse” (Rye Imperial Stout), second place went to Justin Roess for “P1 Coffee Stout” (Sweet Stout w/Coffee) and third place went to Ron Benner for his “Gimme a Quarter Porter” (Porter).

In the Fruit Beers category, first place went to Vince Contreras for “COVID-420″ (Orange Creamsicle Milkshake IPA), second place went to Adam Musser for “Tropical Delight” (Pineapple Milkshake IPA) and third place went to Mike Wulff for “Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater” (Pumpkin Ale).

The Best Home Brew was chosen from the first-place entries in each category by our panel of judges from the Oswego Brewing Company. The winner was Derek Ridge for “Harvest Moon Eclipse” (Rye Imperial Stout). Thank you to the Oswego Brewing Company for partnering with us to bring Derek’s winning brew to their taproom for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you to everyone who entered and helped judge. If you are interested in competing next year, start planning your recipes and testing out your brews.

Cori Veverka

Cultural Arts Supervisor

Oswegoland Park District

Oswego