Blacksburg, Virginia, September 27, 2018– Blacksburg Brew Do’s Homebrew Competition once again brought a wide range of outstanding entries from across the Roanoke and New River Valleys. The competition, sponsored by Ballast Point Brewing, was organized in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of Blacksburg Brew Do, a craft beer festival that took place on September 22.
48 entries were judged within four distinct categories and Michael Czernicki of the Star City Brewer’s Guild, took the title of “Best in Show” for the second year in the row.
“Homebrew competitions are a great source of feedback. My home club does them quarterly and I’ve learned more from the judge’s comments in those contests than from any other source,” said Czernicki. “It’s a hobby where everyone wants to nurture success and is willing to offer respectful feedback. Outside competitions, like Brew Do, get me a point of view from brewers beyond my regular group.”
Entrants classified their brews as light, amber, dark and specialty. Entries were judged within their respective categories. Homebrewers could submit up to three entries to be judged by a panel of craft brew experts including Huck from Huck’s Beer Buzz, Sean O’Keefe from Food Sciences at Virginia Tech, Evan Graham, Head Brewer at Right Mind Brewing, Dave Younger from Valley Distributing, Mark Allen from Blue Ridge Beverage, Jeff Owens from Vintage Cellar, Ann Sandbrook from Virginia Tech and the Ballast Point Brewing Team.
The winners of each category had their entries judged a final time to determine “Best of Show.” Czernicki’s entry Kruschev’s Shoe, a Russian Imperial Stout, took the title. Czernicki won the right to brew and serve his winning beer, or a beer of Ballast Point’s choosing, at the Ballast Point Brewing Company in Daleville, Virginia. The prize for “Best in Show” also included a custom-made growler from Star City Growlers. Additionally, Czernicki’s “Best in Show” winning brew from the 2017 competition will be on tap at the Starr Hill Pilot Brewery in Roanoke in the coming weeks.
Winners in each category are as follows:
Light
1st Place: Matt Klumpp, “The BGS” (Belgian Golden Strong Ale) – Star City Brewer’s Guild
2nd Place: Chris Kile, “4th of July” (American IPA) – NRV Brewer’s Guild
3rd Place: Matt Klumpp, “Leggy Blond” (Belgian Blonde Ale) – Star City Brewer’s Guild
Amber
1st Place: Zachary Higginbotham, “Tropical Tryst IPA” (India Pale Ale)
2nd Place: Eric Earnhart, “Blessed Blonde” (American Blonde Ale)
3rd Place: David & Kelli Wheeler, “Heavy Lifter” (Scottish Wee Heavy) – NRV Brewer’s Guild
Dark
1st Place: Michael Czernicki, “Kruschev’s Shoe” (Russian Imperial Stout) – Star City Brewer’s Guild
2nd Place: Ryan Beckner, “In the Beck of the Night” (Porter)
3rd Place: Robert Roux, “Ye Old Mild” (Dark Mild) – Star City Brewer’s Guild
Specialty
1st Place: Josh Grinnan, “Mama Mango” (Milkshake IPA) – Hill City Brewer’s Guild
2nd Place: Beth Durham, “Afternoon Delight” (Belgian Strong Ale) – Star City Brewer’s Guild
3rd Place: Dave and Joanne Hrdlicka, “Rock & Rye” (Black Rye IPA) – NRV Brewer’s Guild
To keep up to date with Blacksburg Brew Do events and updates, visit Brew Do online, or follow Brew Do on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Photo by Jake Roth Photo and Video