For Immediate Release

February 1, 2010

 

 

USBTC Announces 16th Annual Winter Competition Winners

 

Lincoln, NH - The United States Beer Tasting ChampionshipTM (USBTC) recently completed the Winter Competition of its 16th annual competition.  A total of 360 beers from 116 breweries were examined across 14 different beer categories.  Within each category, the USBTC determined both a Grand Champion and the best entry from each of six U.S. regions: 1) Northeast, 2) Mid-Atlantic/Southeast, 3) Midwest, 4) Rockies/Southwest, 5) California, and

6) Northwest/Pacific.

 

The USBTC takes a unique approach in that its competition is held in multiple stages.  Sequential field trials are conducted wherein judges evaluate beers and select the best to advance to subsequent rounds.  This allows beers to be judged in relatively small flights while ensuring that the best beers are still determined through head-to-head competition. All beers were tasted in blinded fashion and judged on a hedonic scale.

 

The USBTC recognizes that American brewers are continually establishing new beer styles and reviving interest in classic styles.  As one way to acknowledge this, the USBTC devotes “pull-out” categories in each competition to styles that are currently emerging or being faithfully carried on.  In our most recent event, Smoke Beer and Belgo-American were selected as USBTC pull-out categories.

 

The USBTC Grand Champions were:

 

Category                               Grand Champion                            Company                                                Location                      Total Beers

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Judged           

                                                                                

Barrel-Aged Beer                 Ivan the Terrible                             Big Sky Brewing Company                   Missoula, MT                         25

Barleywine                            Old Crustacean                              Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR                         30    

Strong/Old Ale                      Bridge Burner Strong Ale             Lakefront Brewery                                  Milwaukee, WI                      28    

Imperial Stout                       Santa’s Little Helper                     Port Brewing                                            San Clemente, CA              37    

Stout                                       Obsidian Stout                               Deschutes Brewery                                 Bend, OR                               28    

Porter                                     Founders Porter                             Founders Brewing Company               Grand Rapids, MI                 30    

Brown Ale                              India Brown Ale                             Terrapin Beer Company                        Athens, GA                            25    

Scottish-Style Ale                 Scotty Karate Scotch Ale              Dark Horse Brewing Company            Marshall, MI                          24    

Belgian-Style Ale                 Schlafly Quadruple                       The Saint Louis Brewery                       St. Louis, MO                        27    

Dark Lager/Dunkel              Duck-Rabbit Schwarzbier            The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery           Farmville, NC                       25

Vienna/Marzen Lager         Oktoberfest                                     Sly Fox Brewing Company                   Royersford, PA                     34    

Spice Beer                             Holiday Spice Lager                     Lakefront Brewery                                  Milwaukee, WI                      19    

Smoke Beer                          Sunday Morning in Bamberg      Upland Brewing Company                   Bloomington, IN                   8

Belgo-American                   XIII                                                    Weyerbacher Brewing Company        Easton, PA                           15

 

The regional winners (along with beers receiving honorable mention) from each category were:

 

Region/                        Regional Champion/                                  Company                                    Location

Category               Honorable Mention

 

Northeast

Barrel-Aged Beer                 Samuel Adams New World Tripel                          Boston Beer Company                           Boston, MA

Honorable Mention    Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red                           Boston Beer Company                           Boston, MA

Barleywine                            Smuttynose Wheat Wine                                          Smuttynose Brewing Company           Portsmouth, NH

Honorable Mention    Pugsley’s Shipyard Barley Wine                             The Shipyard Brewing Company        Portland, ME

Strong/Old Ale                      Prelude Special Ale                                                   The Shipyard Brewing Company        Portland, ME     

Honorable Mention    Hampshire Special Ale                                             D.L. Geary Brewing                                Portland, ME

Imperial Stout                       Samuel Adams Imperial Stout                                 Boston Beer Company                           Boston, MA       

Stout                                       Samuel Adams Cream Stout                                   Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

Porter                                     Robust Porter                                                              Smuttynose Brewing Company           Portsmouth, NH         

Brown Ale                              Samuel Adams Brown Ale                                       Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

Honorable Mention    Pigs Ear Brown Ale                                                    Woodstock Inn Brewery                         N. Woodstock, NH

 

Scottish-Style Ale                 Smuttynose Scotch Ale                                             Smuttynose Brewing Company           Portsmouth, NH                   

Belgian-Style Ale                 Allagash Four                                                              Allagash Brewing Company                 Portland, ME

          Honorable Mention    Allagash Grand Cru                                                   Allagash Brewing Company                 Portland, ME

Dunkels Lager                      Samuel Adams Black Lager                                    Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

Vienna/Marzen Lager         Samuel Adams Octoberfest                                     Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA       

Spice Beer                            Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig                                  Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

Smoke Beer                         Samuel Adams Scotch Ale                                      Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

 

Belgo-American                   Samuel Adams Imperial White                               Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

 

Region/                        Regional Champion/                                  Company                                    Location

Category               Honorable Mention

 

Mid-Atlantic/Southeast

Barrel-Aged Beer                 Blasphemy                                                                  Weyerbacher Brewing Company        Easton, PA

          Honorable Mention    Bourbon Barrel Porter                                                Williamsburg AleWerks, LLC                Williamsburg, VA

Barleywine                            Old Horizontal                                                             Victory Brewing Company                    Downington, PA

          Honorable Mention    275th Anniversary Ale                                                General Lafayette Inn & Brewery         Lafayette Hill, PA

Strong/Old Ale                      Winter Storm                                                               Clipper City Brewing Company           Baltimore, MD

          Honorable Mention    Winter Warmer                                                            Lancaster Brewing Company               Lancaster, PA

Imperial Stout                       He’Brew Jewbelation                                                Shmaltz Brewing Company                  Saratoga Springs, NY

Stout                                       Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout                                              The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery           Farmville, NC

Porter                                     Washington’s Porter                                                  Williamsburg AleWerks, LLC                Williamsburg, VA

Brown Ale                              India Brown Ale                                                          Terrapin Beer Company                        Athens, GA

Scottish-Style Ale                 McKenzie Wee Heavy                                               McKenzie Brew House                          Chadds Ford, PA

Honorable Mention    Tasgall Ale                                                                   Highland Brewing Company                Asheville, NC

Belgian-Style Ale                 Twelve                                                                          Victory Brewing Company                    Downington, PA

Honorable Mention    Adoration                                                                     Brewery Ommegang                              Cooperstown, NY

Dunkels Lager                      Duck-Rabbit Schwarzbier                                         The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery           Farmville, NC   

Vienna/Marzen Lager         Oktoberfest                                                                  Sly Fox Brewing Company                   Royersford, PA 

Spice Beer                            Christmas Ale                                                             Sly Fox Brewing Company                   Royersford, PA

Smoke Beer                          Big Butte Smoked Porter                                          Highland Brewing Company                Asheville, NC

Belgo-American                   XIII                                                                                 Weyerbacher Brewing Company        Easton, PA        

          Honorable Mention    Raging Bitch                                                                Flying Dog Brewing Company             Frederick, MD

 

Midwest

Barrel-Aged Beer                 Backwoods Bastard                                                   Founders Brewing Company               Grand Rapids, MI

Barleywine                            Schlafly Oak Aged Barleywine                                The St. Louis Brewing Company         St. Louis, MO

Strong/Old Ale                      Bridge Burner Strong Ale                                          Lakefront Brewery                                  Milwaukee, WI  

Imperial Stout                       Founders Imperial Stout                                           Founders Brewing Company               Grand Rapids, MI

          Honorable Mention    Russian Imperial Stout                                              Sprecher Brewing Company                Glendale, WI

Stout                                                 Oscar’s Chocolate Oatmeal Stout                 Sand Creek Brewing Company           Black River Falls, WI

          Honorable Mention    Spetsnaz Stout                                                            Grumpy Troll Restaurant & Brewery    Mt. Horeb, WI

Porter                                     Founders Porter                                                          Founders Brewing Company               Grand Rapids, MI

          Honorable Mention    Great Northern Porter                                                Summit Brewing Company                  St. Paul, MN

Brown Ale                              Bender                                                                          Surly Brewing Company                       Brooklyn Center, MN

Scottish-Style Ale                 Pipers Scotch Ale                                                       Sprecher Brewing Company                Glendale, WI

Belgian-Style Ale                 Schlafly Quadruple                                                    The Saint Louis Brewery                       St. Louis, MO

          Honorable Mention    Peter Gentry Belgian Strong Dark                           Grumpy Troll Restaurant & Brewery    Mt. Horeb, WI

Dunkels Lager                      Black Bavarian                                                            Sprecher Brewing Company                Glendale, WI

Vienna/Marzen Lager                   Upland Oktoberfest                                          Upland Brewing Company                   Bloomington, IN        

          Honorable Mention    Winter Skal                                                                  Capital Brewery                                       Middleton, WI

Spice Beer                            Holiday Spice Lager                                                  Lakefront Brewery                                  Milwaukee, WI  

Smoke Beer                          Sunday Morning in Bamberg                                   Upland Brewing Company                   Bloomington, IN        

Belgo-American                   Hop Master’s Abbey                                                  Hoppin’ Frog Brewery                            Akron, OH

                  

Rockies/Southwest

Barrel-Aged Beer                 Kickin’ Chicken Killer                                                 Santa Fe Brewing Company                Santa Fe, NM

Barleywine                            Old Ruffian                                                                  Great Divide Brewing Company          Denver, CO

Strong/Old Ale                      Hibernation Ale                                                           Great Divide Brewing Company          Denver, CO

Imperial Stout                       Ten Fidy Imperial Stout                                             Oskar Blues Brewery                              Lyons, CO

          Honorable Mention    Double Chocolate Stout                                            The Fort Collins Brewery                       Fort Collins, CO

Stout                                                 Zonker Stout                                                      Snake River Brewing Company           Jackson Hole, WY

          Honorable Mention    Obovoid Oak-Aged Oatmeal Stout                         Boulder Beer Company                         Boulder, CO

Porter                                     Planet Porter                                                               Boulder Beer Company                         Boulder, CO

Brown Ale                              Ellie’s Brown Ale                                                        Avery Brewing Company                      Boulder, CO      

Scottish-Style Ale                 Old Chub                                                                      Oskar Blues Brewery                              Lyons, CO

Honorable Mention    Iron Thistle Scotch Ale                                               Rahr & Sons Brewing Company          Ft. Worth, TX

Belgian-Style Ale                 Abbey Grand Cru                                                       New Belgium Brewing                           Fort Collins, CO

Dunkels Lager                      Kidd Lager                                                                   The Fort Collins Brewery                       Fort Collins, CO

Vienna/Marzen Lager         Oktoberfest Marzen Lager                                        Left Hand brewing Company               Longmont, CO 

Spice Beer                            Original Orange Blossom Ale                                  Buckbean Brewing Company              Reno, NV

Smoke Beer                          Z Lager                                                                         The Fort Collins Brewery                       Fort Collins, CO

Belgo-American                   La Piste Escargot                                                       Snake River Brewing Company           Jackson Hole, WY

 

Region/                        Regional Champion/                                  Company                                    Location

Category               Honorable Mention

 

California

Barrel-Aged Beer                 Angel’s Share                                                             The Lost Abbey                                       San Clemente, CA

Honorable Mention    Kilt Lifter (Wet)                                                             Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

Barleywine                            Old Blarney Barleywine                                            Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

Strong/Old Ale                      Wet Hopsickle Triple                                                  Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

Honorable Mention    Old Viscosity                                                                Port Brewing                                            San Clemente, CA

Imperial Stout                       Santa’s Little Helper                                                  The Lost Abbey                                       San Marcos, CA

          Honorable Mention    Serpents Stout                                                            Port Brewing                                            San Clemente, CA

Stout                                                 San Quentin Breakout Stout                                     Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA

Porter                                     Chelsea Moylan’s Porter                                          Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

Honorable Mention    Point Reyes Porter                                                     Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA

Brown Ale                              Acme California Brown Ale                                      North Coast Brewing Company           Fort Bragg, CA

Scottish-Style Ale                 Kilt Lifter Scotch Ale                                                   Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

Belgian-Style Ale                 Devotion Ale                                                                The Lost Abbey                                       San Marcos, CA        

Honorable Mention    Marin Quad                                                                  Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA    

Dunkels Lager                      No winner declared

Vienna/Marzen Lager         No winner declared                                         

Spice Beer                            Hoppy Holidaze                                                          Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA

Smoke Beer                          No winner declared

Belgo-American                   No winner declared                     

 

Northwest/Pacific

Barrel-Aged Beer                 Ivan the Terrible                                                          Big Sky Brewing Company                   Missoula, MT              

          Honorable Mention    Bourbon Barrel Double Vision                                 Grand Teton Brewing Company          Victor, ID

Barleywine                            Old Crustacean                                                           Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

          Honorable Mention    Mirror Mirror                                                                 Deschutes Brewery                                 Bend, OR

Strong/Old Ale                      Mogul Madness Ale                                                   Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

          Honorable Mention    Wassail                                                                         Full Sail Brewing Company                  Hood River, OR

Imperial Stout                       The Abyss                                                                    Deschutes Brewery                                 Bend, OR 

          Honorable Mention    Imperial Stout                                                              Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR     

Stout                                                 Obsidian Stout                                                   Deschutes Brewery                                 Bend, OR           

Honorable Mention   Polar Bear Stout                                                         Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company      Coeur d’Alene, ID

Porter                                     Bobo’s Robust Porter                                                 Big Sky Brewing Company                   Missoula, MT    

Brown Ale                              Hazelnut Brown Nectar                                             Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

Honorable Mention   Lakeside British Ale                                                   Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company      Coeur d’Alene, ID

Scottish-Style Ale                 Sheep Eater Scotch Ale                                            Grand Teton Brewing Company          Victor, ID            

Belgian-Style Ale                 Dick’s Grand Cru                                                        Dick’s Brewing Company                      Centralia, WA

          Honorable Mention    Ménage À Frog                                                            Issaquah Brewery                                   Issaquah, WA

Dunkels Lager                      Dirtoir Black Lager                                                     Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR     

          Honorable Mention    Session Black                                                             Full Sail Brewing Company                  Hood River, OR

Vienna/Marzen Lager         Fest Bier Marzen Lager                                             Grand Teton Brewing Company          Victor, ID

Spice Beer                            Auld Acquaintance                                                     Pike Brewing Company                         Seattle, WA       

Smoke Beer                          Smoke Ale                                                                   Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

Belgo-American                            No winner declared