2004 Mountain Brewer Open Results

Category Winners
2004 MBO
2003 MBO

Beer Links
BeerTown
BJCP
GHHA
Homebrew Digest
GHHA
From Grain to Glass

This years contest attracted 141 entries, covering all 26 BJCP categories.  Entries were submitted from 13 states (WV, OH, KY, TN, GA, LA, CT, NC, FL, PA, KS, IL and TX). 

Judges:

A total of 41 judges participated (15 BJCP judges), 37 judges in the first session and 31 in the second session. 

 Sponsors/Prizes:

Many thanks go out to our sponsors.  Their donotations allowed us to offer great prize packages this year.  Please help support those that contribute to our homebrewing hobby.  Category winners received AHA medallions along with an assortment of prizes including glasses, hats, t‑shirts, books, malt extract, hops and a quick carbonator.  The Big Brew category winner received ingredients for 5 gallons of Beatty’s Award Winning Stout (all grain) donated by From Grain to Glass.  Best‑of‑Show winner received a trophy, free entry into next years AHA National Homebrew Competition, and a 50 lb bag of malt from Cargill Malt.

Big Brew Category:

This years contest featured a special Big Brew Category.  Only beers brewed on National Homebrew Day (May 1, 2004) were accepted in this category.  The category attracted 10 entries from four states (WV, KY, OH, and GA).  The category was a mini best-of-show with six beers styles being entered.  The following styles were entered  Baltic Porter (5 beers), Brown Ale (2 beers), Irish Red ( 1 beer), Imperial IPA (1 beer) and an Oktoberfest (1 beer).   First place went to Phil Ferrell ( Cumming , GA ) for his Oktoberfest.  Phil will receive ingredients for 5 gallons of Beatty’s Award Winning Stout (all grain) donated by From Grain to Glass.

Best-Of-Show:

This years BOS went to Bernie Kessel ( Weaverville , NC ) for his Northern German Pilsner.  Bernie set the pace in this years contest winning six medals.  He took 1^st in three categories, placed 2^nd twice and had one 3^rd place beer.  Congratulations for some excellent brewing.   For the winning entry Bernie received the following:  BOS trophy, free entry into next years AHA National Homebrew Competition, along with a 50 lb bag of malt from Cargill Malt.

Our four-time defending champion Gordon Strong ( Beavercreek , OH ) ended his winning streak.  However, it was not for the lack of trying.  Gordon kept pace with Bernie, winning six medals (one 1^st, three 2^nd’s and two 3^rd’s).  In addition, Gordon received an honorable mention.  Hats off to some excellent brewing.

Runner up in this years best of show judging went to Mike Busby (Pace, FL) for an outstanding Orange Blossom Mead.  This entry scored the highest average point total (43.8) for the contest.   Third place in BOS went to Jay Wince ( Zanesville , OH ) for his Russian Imperial Stout and 4^th place went to Dave Zalewski ( Proctorville , OH ) for a Dopplebock.

Competition Statistics:

Beers entered in this contest received an average score of 29.6.  The highest first round score (43.8) went to Mike Busby (FL) for an orange blossom mead.   The average score for first place beers was 37.4, while 2^nd and 3^rd place beers averaged 35.7 and 33.6 points, respectively.  Results were very similar to last years scores (see chart).  Less than 2% of entries were deemed problematic, while 87% were rated good or better.

Comparison of winning scores from 2003 and 2004.

2004 Mountain Brewer Open Scores

 Microbreweries:

In addition to the homebrew competition, eight microbreweries competed in three categories. 

Congratulations to O’Hooley’s for winning Best-of-Show with their Oatmeal Stout.  In very close voting, Alltech's Lexington Brewing Company won the People’s Choice Award.  Just two votes separated them from the rest of the pack.  Your vote may have put them over the top.  If you did not get a chance to try these beers Saturday stop by the breweries and tell them we sent you.