I’m happy to announce that the judging is all wrapped up for our 2010 Gathering of the Gourds pumpkin homebrew competition called The Great Artisnal Autumnal Homebrew Competition. We had 25 entries of fall and pumpkin themed homebrew which were judged in a best of style style by our special guests: Adam Beck of the Blog the NonconFERMist, Sean McGedigan of the Station Taproom, along with Iron Hill Assistnat Brewer Jean Broillet, and yours truley. Right out of the gate I have to say, “nice work gang!” I relly enjoyed drinking through a flight of beers that taste like fall. 

Just to recap, we asked homebrewers to create an inspired interpretation of a seasonally strange fall beer. We chose the top TWO beers (chosen by virtue of not just their superiority, but their DISSIMILARITY from one another). These beers will be poured Saturday October 30th at this year’s Gathering of the Gourds event alongside some of the nation’s most exceptionally spooky pumpkin-esque beers.

Congrats to everyone who entered and now, drumroll please…..here are the

Winners:

($50 Iron Hill Brewery GC, $50 Artisan GC)

Joe Dunleavy

Swetzel’s Spiced Wafer Ale

Ale Mashed, Boiled and Secondary with Swetzel Spiced Wafers

Joe Marshaleck

Pumpkin Bread Ale

Brewed with local organic candy pumpkins, Brown Honey Rum soaked flame raisins, Vanilla Beans, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, then ‘dry hopped’ with roasted walnuts

First Runner Up

($20 Iron Hill Brewery GC, $20 Artisan GC)

Matt Tarlecki

Paradigm Shift

Dark Raspberry chocolate ale made with butternut squash and spice

Second Runner Up

(Iron Hill Brewery Bottled Reserve, $10 Artisan GC)

Mike Rissell

BOO!tay Pale Ale

Pale Ale brewed with Ginger and Spice, with Cranberries