Stout wins, pale ale first runner-up in Swigs Homebrew competition

[June 08, 2017]   LINCOLN -  At the Pigs and Swigs Festival there were multiple competitions going on Saturday afternoon. While barbecue contestants were preparing their meats for the KCBS, home brewers were hoping their home made beer would be rated the best in this year's Home Brew Competition

At the Homebrew Competition, 54 entries were made by 18 competitors. To assure a blind judging, each entry was given a number and stored away in a refrigeration unit near the judge's tables. Judges sampled and rated beers brought out one at a time

As the brews were judged, Michelle Bauer tallied scores, which were then posted on a white board just outside the judge's tent. By 4 p.m. all entries had been judged, and the top six scorers were circled.

The judges were also asked to select the Best in Show from the top six winners.

The top six contenders were Brent Sperry of Petersburg for his Indian Pale Ale, Jerry Welch of Lincoln for his Brown/Red, Ryan Kunken and Nat Dorgan of Pawnee for their Stout/Porter, Marc Schoonover of Lincoln for his Blond/Wheat, Eric Larson of Springfield for his Farmhouse Ale, and Chris Meyer of Normal for the miscellaneous category (Fruit Beer, Sours, and Novelty Brews).

The top winners were then named with Marc Schoonover's blond/wheat receiving second runner-up. First runner-up was pale ale by Brent Sperry and Best of Show went to the stout /porter by Ryan Kunken and Nat Dorgan.

Friday and Saturday, several breweries served their best craft beers.

Musical entertainment was also provided in the afternoon and evenings.

[Angela Reiners]