For Immediate Release

October 1, 2009

 

 

USBTC Announces 15th Annual Summer Competition Winners

 

Manchester, NH - The United States Beer Tasting ChampionshipTM (USBTC) recently completed the Summer Event of its 15th annual competition.  A total of 379 beers from 137 breweries were examined across 14 different beer categories.  Within each category, the USBTC determined both a Grand Champion and the best entry from each of six U.S. regions: 1) Northeast, 2) Mid-Atlantic/Southeast, 3) Midwest, 4) Rockies/Southwest, 5) California, and 6) Northwest/Pacific.

 

The USBTC takes a unique approach in that its competition is held in multiple stages.  Sequential field trials are conducted wherein judges evaluate beers and select the best to advance to subsequent rounds.  This allows beers to be judged in relatively small flights while ensuring that the best beers are still determined through head-to-head competition. All beers were tasted in blinded fashion and judged on a hedonic scale.

 

The USBTC recognizes that American brewers are continually establishing new beer styles and reviving interest in classic styles.  As one way to acknowledge this, the USBTC devotes “pull-out” categories in each competition to styles that are currently emerging or being faithfully carried on.  In our most recent event, “Loose Lager” was selected as the USBTC pull-out category.

 

For more information on The United States Beer Tasting Championship please visit www.usbtc.com

 

The USBTC Grand Champions were:

 

Category                               Grand Champion                            Company                                                Location            Total Beers Judged

Imperial IPA/Red Ale           Mean Manalishi Double I.P.A.    Hoppin’ Frog Brewery                            Akron, OH                              34    

India Pale Ale                       Wipe Out IPA                                  Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA                   58

Pale Ale                                 Radiant Summer Ale                    Ninkasi Brewing Company                   Eugene, OR                           45

Amber/Red Ale                    Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR                         27

Bitter/ESB                              Old Thumper                                  The Shipyard Brewery                           Portland, ME                         17

Belgian/French Specialty   Farmhouse Ale                              Smuttynose Brewery                              Portsmouth, NH                   24

Belgian Wit                           Witness                                            Big Bear Brewing Company                 Coral Springs, FL                 21

Golden Ale/Kolsch               Naughty Nellie                               Pike Brewing Company                        Seattle, WA                           15

Bock/Doppelbock                Doppelbock                                    Fordham Brewing Company                Dover, DE                             22

Pilsner                                    Pikeland Pilsner                            Sly Fox Brewing Company                    Royersford, PA                     23

Dortmunder/Helles              Helles Lager                                   Fordham Brewing Company                Dover, DE                              24

Wheat Beer                           In-Heat Wheat                                Flying Dog Brewing Company             Frederick, MD                       28

Fruit Beer                               Cuvee de Tomme                         Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA                   28

Loose Lager                         Coney Island Human BlockheadShmaltz Brewing Company       Saratoga Springs, NY                   13

 

The regional winners (along with beers receiving honorable mention) from each category were:

Region/                                  Regional Champion/                                       Company                                                  Location

Category                                Honorable Mention

 

Northeast

Imperial IPA/Red Ale           Longshot Double IPA                                                 Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

          Honorable Mention    XXXX                                                                            The Shipyard Brewery                           Portland ME

India Pale Ale                        Smuttynose IPA                                                           Smuttynose Brewery                              Portsmouth, NH
Honorable Mention    Old East India IPA                                                      Sea Dog Brewing                                    Bangor, ME

Pale Ale                                 Chamberlain Pale Ale                                               The Shipyard Brewery                           Portland ME

Amber/Red Ale                     Riptide Ale                                                                   Casco Bay Brewing Company             Portland ME

Honorable Mention    Samuel Adams Amber Ale                                      Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

Belgian/French Specialty   Farmhouse Ale                                                           Smuttynose Brewery                              Portsmouth, NH

Belgian Wit                            White                                                                             Allagash Brewing Company                 Portland, ME

          Honorable Mention    Belgian White                                                              Long Trail Brewing Company              Bridgewater Corners, VT

Bitter/ESB                              Old Thumper                                                               The Shipyard Brewery                           Portland, ME

          Honorable Mention    Best Bitter                                                                    Gritty McDuff’s Brewpub                        Portland, ME

Golden Ale/Kolsch               Summer Ale                                                                The Shipyard Brewery                           Portland ME

 

Region/                                  Regional Champion/                                       Company                                                  Location

Category                                Honorable Mention

 

Bock/Doppelbock                Samuel Adams Double Bock                                  Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

Honorable Mention    S’muttonator                                                                Smuttynose Brewery                              Portsmouth, NH

Pilsner                                    Samuel Adams Boston Lager                                 Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA
Dortmunder/Helles              Longshot Dortmunder Style Export                        Boston Beer Company                          Boston, MA

Wheat Beer                           Summer Weizen                                                        Smuttynose Brewery                              Portsmouth, NH

Fruit Beer                               Raspberry Wheat                                                        The Shipyard Brewery                           Portland, ME

Loose Lager                         (None declared)

 

Mid-Atlantic/Southeast

Imperial IPA/Red Ale           Double Simcoe                                                           Weyerbacher Brewing Company        Easton, PA                  

          Honorable Mention    Big DIPA                                                                      Clipper City Brewing Company           Baltimore, MD

India Pale Ale                       Hop Devil Ale                                                              Victory Brewing Company                    Downington, PA

   Honorable Mention    Kashmir IPA                                                                 Highland Brewing Company                Asheville, NC

Pale Ale                                 Wicked Will’s Pale Ale                                               McKenzie Brew House                          Chadds Ford, PA

          Honorable Mention    Doggie Style Pale Ale                                               Flying Dog Brewing Company             Frederick, MD

Amber/Red Ale                     Gaelic Ale                                                                    Highland Brewing Company                Asheville, NC

Bitter/ESB                               Pale Ale                                                                        Starr Hill Brewery                                    Crozet, VA

          Honorable Mention    Amish Four Grain Pale Ale                                       Lancaster Brewing Company               Lancaster, PA

Belgian/French Specialty   Saison Vos                                                                  Sly Fox Brewing Company                   Royersford, PA

Belgian Wit                            Witness                                                                         Big Bear Brewing Company                 Coral Springs, FL      

          Honorable Mention    Wit                                                                                 McKenzie Brew House                          Chadds Ford, PA

Golden Ale/Kolsch               Liebotschaner Cream Ale                                        The Lion Brewery                                    Wilkes-Barre, PA

Honorable Mention    Navigator Golden Ale                                                Barley Creek Brewing Company         Tannersville, PA

Bock/Doppelbock                 Doppelbock                                                                 Fordham Brewing Company                Dover, DE

Pilsner                                    Pikeland Pils                                                               Sly Fox Brewing Company                   Royersford, PA

          Honorable Mention    Santo Viejo Pilsner                                                    Old Harbor Brewery                                Old San Juan, PR

Dortmunder/Helles              Helles Lager                                                                Fordham Brewing Company                Dover, DE

          Honorable Mention    Gold Lager                                                                   Stoudts Brewing Company                   Adamstown Pa

Wheat Beer                           In-Heat Wheat                                                             Flying Dog Brewing Company             Frederick, MD

Fruit Beer                               Riserva                                                                         Weyerbacher Brewing Company        Easton, PA

Loose Lager                         Coney Island Human Blockhead                           Shmaltz Brewing Company                  Saratoga Springs, NY

          Honorable Mention    Smooth Hoperator                                                     Stoudts Brewing Company                   Adamstown Pa

 

Midwest

Imperial IPA/Red Ale           Mean Manalishi Double I.P.A.                                 Hoppin’ Frog Brewery                            Akron, OH

          Honorable Mention    Hop Juice                                                                     Two Brothers Brewing Company         Warrenville, IL

India Pale Ale                       Centennial IPA                                                            Founders Brewing Company               Grand Rapids, MI

          Honorable Mention    Hoppin’ to Heaven IPA                                              Hoppin’ Frog Brewery                            Akron, OH

Pale Ale                                 Hoppus Maximus                                                       Thirsty Dog Brewing Company            Akron, OH

Amber/Red Ale                     Red Felt                                                                        Goose Island Brewing Company         Chicago, IL

Bitter/ESB                              English Style Special Ale                                          Sand Creek Brewing Company           Black River Falls, WI

Belgian/French Specialty   Schlafly Bier De Garde                                             The Saint Louis Brewing Company    St. Louis, MO    

Belgian Wit                            White Beer                                                                   Lakefront Brewery                                  Milwaukee, WI

Golden Ale/Kolsch               Prairie Path Golden Ale                                            Two Brothers Brewing Company         Warrenville, IL

Bock/Doppelbock                Autumnal Fire                                                             Capital Brewery                                       Middleton, WI

          Honorable Mention    Winter Brew                                                                 Sprecher Brewing Company                Glendale, WI

Pilsner                                    Klisch Pilsner                                                               Lakefront Brewery                                  Milwaukee, WI

Dortmunder/Helles              Litigation Lager                                                           Roobrew                                                    Akron, OH

Wheat Beer                           Ebel’s Weiss                                                                Two Brothers Brewing Company         Warrenville, IL

          Honorable Mention    Trailside Wheat                                                           Grumpy Troll Pub & Brewery                Mt. Horeb, WI

Fruit Beer                               Smashin’ Berry Dark                                                 Hoppin’ Frog Brewery                            Akron, OH

Loose Lager                         Whole Hog Imperial Pilsner                                     Stevens Point Brewing                           Stevens Point, WI

                  

Rockies/Southwest

India Pale Ale                       Modus Hoperandi                                                      Ska Brewing Company                          Durango, CO

Pale Ale                                 Snake River Pale Ale                                                 Snake River Brewing Company           Jackson, WY

          Honorable Mention    Hazed and Infused                                                    Boulder Beer Company                         Boulder, CO

Amber/Red Ale                     Conundrum Red Ale                                                  Aspen Brewing Company                     Aspen, CO

          Honorable Mention    Redpoint Ale                                                                Avery Brewing Company                      Boulder, CO

Bitter/ESB                              Custer’s Last Ale                                                        Snake River Brewing Company           Jackson, WY

         

Region/                                  Regional Champion/                                       Company                                                  Location

Category                                Honorable Mention

 

Belgian/French Specialty   Avery Sixteen                                                              Avery Brewing Company                      Boulder, CO

Belgian Wit                            White Rascal                                                               Avery Brewing Company                       Boulder, CO

          Honorable Mention    Waving Wheat                                                             Choc Beer Company                             Krebs, NE

Golden Ale/Kolsch               Spahnie 363 Unfiltered Ale                                     Choc Beer Company                              Krebs, NE

Bock/Doppelbock                Barrel Licked Bock                                                     Fort Collins Brewery                               Fort Collins, CO

Pilsner                                    Mama’s Little Yella Pils                                             Oskar Blues Brewery                             Lyons, CO

          Honorable Mention    Artown Pilsner                                                             Buckbean Brewing Company               Reno, NV

Dortmunder/Helles              Blonde Lager                                                              Rahr & Sons Brewing Company          Ft. Worth, TX

Wheat Beer                           Summertime  Wheat                                                 Rahr & Sons Brewing Company          Ft. Worth, TX

Fruit Beer                               Major Tom’s Pomegranate Wheat                         Ft Collins Brewery                                  Fort Collins, CO

Loose Lager                         The Kaiser                                                                   Avery Brewing Company                      Boulder, CO

                            

California

Imperial IPA/Red Ale           Hop 15 Ale                                                                   Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA

          Honorable Mention    Hopsickle Triple                                                         Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

India Pale Ale                       Wipe Out IPA                                                               Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA

          Honorable Mention    Moylan’s IPA                                                               Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA
Pale Ale                                 Mt. Tam Pale Ale                                                        Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA

Amber/Red Ale                     Irish Red Ale                                                                Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

          Honorable Mention    Albion Amber Ale                                                       Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA

Bitter/ESB                              Marin ESB                                                                    Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA
Belgian/French Specialty   The Lost Abbey Avante Garde                                 Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA

Honorable Mention    The Lost Abbey Carnevale Ale                                Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA

Belgian Wit                            (None declared)

Golden Ale/Kolsch               Celts Golden Ale                                                         Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

Bock/ Doppelbock               (None declared)

Pilsner                                    HopGartner                                                                  Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA

          Honorable Mention    Red Tail Lager                                                            Mendocino Brewing                               Hopland, CA

Dortmunder/Helles              Hell’s Lager                                                                 Moylan’s Brewing Company                Novato, CA
Wheat Beer                           Marin Hefeweizen                                                      Marin Brewing Company                      Larkspur, CA

Fruit Beer                               The Lost Abbey Cuvee de Tomme                         Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA

Loose Lager                         Hot Rocks Lager                                                         Port Brewing Company                         San Marcos, CA

 

Northwest/Pacific

Imperial IPA/Red Ale           Imperial India Pale Ale                                              Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

          Honorable Mention    Double IPA                                                                  Pike Brewing Company                         Seattle, WA                 

India Pale Ale                       Total Domination IPA                                                 Ninkasi Brewing Company                   Eugene, OR      

Honorable Mention    Track Town 200 Meter Ale                                        Eugene City Brewery                             Eugene, OR                

Pale Ale                                 Radiant Summer Ale                                                 Ninkasi Brewing Company                   Eugene, OR

Amber/Red Ale                     Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale                              Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

          Honorable Mention    St. Rogue Red Ale                                                      Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

Bitter/ESB                              Bitch Creek ESB Ale                                                  Grand Teton Brewing Company          Victor, ID            

Belgian/French Specialty   Oceanic Organic                                                         Kona Brewing Company                       Kailua-Kona, HI         

Belgian Wit                            White Frog Ale                                                            Issaquah Brewery                                   Issaquah, WA   

Golden Ale/Kolsch               Naughty Nellie                                                            Pike Brewing Company                         Seattle, WA                 

Bock/Doppelbock                Double Vision Doppelbock                                      Grand Teton Brewing Company          Victor, ID  

Pilsner                                    LTD Series 03                                                             Full Sail Brewing Company                  Hood River, OR

Dortmunder/Helles              Longboard Island Lager                                           Kona Brewing Company                       Kailua-Kona, HI         

Wheat Beer                           Hula Hefeweizen                                                       Kona Brewing Company                       Kailua-Kona, HI         

Fruit Beer                              Track Town Orange Honey Wheat Ale                   Eugene City Brewery                             Eugene, OR                

Loose Lager                          Morimoto Imperial Pilsner                                        Rogue Brewery                                        Newport, OR

          Honorable Mention    Hot Foot Idaho Pale Logger                                     Coeur d’Alene Brewing Company      Coeur d’Alene, ID