OBW18 Homebrew Competition winners

July 16, 2018

Competition was fierce and the judging intense at the Ohio Brew Week (OBW18) Homebrew Competition last weekend. Nearly 300 entries from homebrewers around the Ohio region were entered this year.

Competition Director Jody Grenert said the judges evaluated 298 beers in 34 categories from 86 brewers, with entires from across the Midwest, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The judging took place over two days in The Lodge at Hocking College, Nelsonville.

homebrew 2018 — Beer judging at the OBW18 Homebrew Competition.

In each category, judges could award a 1st (gold), 2nd (silver) and 3rd (bronze) place, and if desired, could name an Honorable Mention beer. By the end of the day, 101 medals were awarded in the 34 categories. In addition to category winners, a panel of judges composed of both professional and amateur brewers selected the overall Best of Show winners.

The most competitive categories were American IPA and Saison/Golden Strong Ale with 17 entries each. Right behind were American Pale Ale/Amber Ale and Spiced Beer with 16 entries each. The Fruit Beer category attracted 15 entries.

Scott Pintabone walked away with the Best of Show 1st place award for his Corm’s Original in the American Lager category. This beer was also selected for the Devil’s Cup award meaning it will have a batch of its recipe brewed at Devil’s Kettle Brewing in Athens. Pintabone is with the Lehigh Valley Homebrewers Association (Allentown, PA). Second overall went to Zach Kosslow (TRASH-Pittsburgh) for his Tmave Pivo Czech-style dark lager. Third went to Daryl Lamprey (Madison (Wis.) Homebrewers & Tasters Guild) for his Sconnie Common Kentucky Common. Honorable Mention went Mike Ontolchik (SNOB–Cleveland) for his Stupid Sexy Flanders Red Ale.

The Fish Bowl award went to Robert Moore for his Nethanderal English-style Barleywine. Little Fish Brewing Company will brew up a batch this beer and sell it at their taproom later in the year.

Competition Director Grenert had a very successful event this year. Not only did the competition attract lots of entries and run smoothly, but Grenert, himself, came away winning more medals than anyone else. He took home one 1st place, three 2nds, three 3rds, and two Honorable Mentions. Grenert is a member of the Athens Homebrew Club. Also scoring very well was Richard Romanko of Three Rivers Underground Brewers (TRUB) in Pittsburgh. Romanko finished with six medals and two honorable mentions.

Top club awards for OBW18

The top scoring homebrew club at the competition was the Athens (OH) Homebrew Club. The club garnered six 1st place medals, three 2nd, five 3rd, and two Honorable Mentions. Second place went to the Society of Akron Area Zymurgusts (SAAZ) and third was a tie between Brewly Boys and Society of Northeast Ohio Brewers. Twenty-seven clubs were represented at the competition.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Devil’s Kettle Brewing Company in Athens. As usual, it was full of enthusiastic announcements and responses as winning homebrewers received their awards.