Peddler, Cacapon Mountain take top honors at Mountaineer Brewfest

Three West Virginia beers were judged to be the cream of the crop at this year’s Mountaineer Brewfest in Wheeling, and one WV brewery was selected by fest attendees as the overall best of the day.

Taking the coveted first-place beer award was Stella Splendida, a helles lager by Cacapon Mountain Brewing in Berkeley Springs. One of the state’s newer breweries, Cacapon Mountain Brewing opened in Berkeley Springs late last year and successfully navigated the COVID pandemic minefield to show it can produce a top-flight line of beer and offer it in a spectacular taproom experience.

Shane Mills, Capapon Mountain Brewing owner, was pleased with his brewery’s first win at a WV beer festival. “We were very happy and surprised to win, as we weren’t planning on competing,” he said. “When we were asked for a sample just prior to judging, we figured what the heck.” 

The brewery says its Stella Splendida is a German-style Helles Lager “brewed to honor those who shine brightest in our lives, who compel towards positive change.” The beer is light and crackery with a bright, floral aroma and a clean finish that asks for more. 4.4% ABV. 22 IBU.

The experienced beer judging team from the Wheeling Alers homebrew club awarded Stella Splendida top points based on how closely it compared with its BJCP beer style category description. BJCP is the Beer Judge Certification Program, which nationally is the most popular standard for judging beer competitions. This year’s judging team was led by Patrick “PJ” McDermott, long-time Wheeling homebrewer and beer activist.

Coming in second was Bear Berry Beer, a fruited Gose by Big Timber Brewing. It’s a most impressive beer we have written about before in Brilliant Stream.

Finishing in third place was Great Claw Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout by Greenbrier Valley Brewing in Maxwelton. It’s another memorable WV brew that we’ve also written about in Brilliant Stream.

The Peddler takes People’s Choice

While coming out on top in a BJCP competition is a badge of honor, we always think winning a People’s Choice Award is a brewery’s ticket to beer sales. This year’s People’s Choice Award went to The Peddler of Huntington as the overall most popular beers served at Mountaineer Brew Fest.

The Peddler’s Jay Fox was pleased with the award. “We were surprised to win People’s Choice but definitely happy to win with so many great WV breweries in attendance,” he said. “I always try to take beers that compliment the season, so maybe I guessed right this time.

Fox brought a stellar line up of Peddler brews including Appalachian Bandido Lager, Silt Sucker NEIPA, Son of a Preacher Man Fruit Beer, and Space Camp Tramp Stamp “Tang” Sour.

“We always have a great time at Mountaineer Brewfest. Jeff and his crew do such a great job, and it’s nice chatting with people who don’t normally get to have our beer.”

If this People’s Choice Award is any indicator (and we think it is), The Peddler might want to consider opening a second brewpub location in Wheeling. 🙂

Brewfest sees success in 7th year

Nearly two thousand craft beer lovers turned out last Saturday afternoon to sample beers from 15 West Virginia brewery tents. Many other brews were available at the regional and national brand beer tents. Title sponsors for the 2021 Mountaineer Brewfest were Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack and The UPS Store. All profits from this year’s event benefit A Special Wish Foundation, Ohio Valley Chapter.

Mountaineer Brewfest is no doubt one of the very best West Virginia beer festivals. Not only having a great beer selection, but no other WV beer festival does a better job raising money for local charities. In its seven years, the fest has deposited around $100,000 in local charities’ bank accounts.

2021 WV brewery/cidery attendees included:

• Chestnut Brew Works,
• The Peddler,
• Screech Owl Brewing,
• Parkersburg Brewing,
• Weathered Ground Brewery,
• Big Timber Brewing,
• High Ground Brewing,
• Greenbrier Valley Brewing,
• Short Story Brewing,
• Berkeley Springs Brewing,
• Bridge Brew Works,
• Brew Keepers,
• Mountain State Brewing,
• Cacapon Mountain Brewing,
• Swilled Dog Hard Cider.