Abolitionist Ale takes 1st Place at MBF

One of Mike Vance’s original offerings at Abolitionist Ale Works still has its mojo working, as proven by its win last weekend at the Mountaineer Brewfest WV Craft Beer Judging event.

The winning beer is kinda hard to pin down style-wise. Vance describes his Abolitionist Ale as a 1-year Barrel-Aged Farmhouse Style Amber Ale. We call it pretty unique.

“It’s one of the first beers brewed here and one of my favorites,” says Vance. “Everyone thought it was our flagship beer because of its name, but I would say it was more of our funkship.” 

With a 6.5% ABV, Special B malt, house yeast, Brettanomyces, and a year in a used red wine barrel, the beer delivers a complex but smooth drinking blend of flavors.

The ample use of Special B Belgian malt provides caramel flavors and the barrel aging pushes some dark cherry fruits and funkiness. It finishes with a hint of oak. Overall, it’s a pretty easy drinking brew that is not too crazy in the flavor department, remaining accessible to the typical craft beer drinker.

The beer judges at Mountaineer Brewfest loved this eponymous ale from Abolitionist.

Stumptown Ales takes 2nd Place

Second place at the competition went to the brewery that also had produced the first place beer in 2024. That was Stumptown Ales in Davis, WV. Their award winner this year was a big, flavorful Victor Trace Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout.

This beauty is richly flavored with lots of body and a 12% ABV. To produce this entry, the brewery aged their Victor Russian Imperial Stout in a Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel. The beer drinks with flavors of chocolate, coffee, vanilla and a touch of whiskey.

Stumptown’s Cindy Robeson said, “We were very pleasantly surprised and honored that we won an award for the second year in a row.”

We agree with Cindy: That’s very impressive.

Third goes to Bridge Brew Works

Third Place in this year’s competition went to Crux Kölsch from Bridge Brew Works in Fayetteville. This beer is a perennial favorite at the brewery.

Light, pleasantly grainy, and 5.2% ABV, this brew is an easy drinking hybrid ale perfect for summertime enjoyment. That fact may have helped the judges in their selection, since the weather in Wheeling was 90 degrees on Saturday.

Bridge Brew Works’ Adam Herrold was happy about the award, but also was appreciative of the festival and its work.

“Bridge Brew Works is honored to be one of the 19 breweries in attendance for this great community festival in addition to a great fundraising cause for The House of the Carpenter,” he said. “In addition, we would like to thank Jeff Hayes, staff and volunteers for hosting one of the best beer festivals in the State. Moreover, Bridge Brew Works is proud of our work, dedication and passion for our craft in this profession. Thank you Mountaineer Brewfest for this special award.”

But any way, or time, you drink it, Crux Kölsch is a lovely experience.

The 2025 Mountaineer Brewfest WV Craft Beer Judging was sponsored by Old Colony Realtors.