2012 Brew Masters Competition Results!

7th Annual Brew Masters Competition Results
March 29-31, 2012
Florence, Wisconsin
43 entries
13 entrants from 6 states

Pale Ales and Pilsners
1ST PLACE
Mike Harvanek, Glen Ellyn, IL
"Amarillo by Morning"
American Pale Ale
2ND PLACE
Mike Harvanek, Glen Ellyn, IL
"Mr. Nice Rye"
Rye Pale Ale
3RD PLACE
Clark Torma, TCF, Norway, MI
"2nd Chance"
Standard/Ordinary Bitter

Irish, Scottish, Stouts, and Dark Lagers
1ST PLACE
Ross Ziegenthaler, Muskegon Ottawa Brewers,
Spring Lake, MI
"Willows Old Nessy
Scottish Export 80/-
2ND PLACE
Casey Zima, Green Bay, WI
"Eejit Red"
Irish Red Ale
3RD PLACE
Jonathan Bowker, Brew Free or Die, Weare, NH
"Toasted Sweet Stout"
Sweet Stout

IPAs and American Stouts
1ST PLACE
Clark Torma, TCF, Noway, MI
"Murder"
Black IPA
2ND PLACE
Michael Thorpe, Alexandria, VA
"PEZ DIPA"
Imperial IPA
3RD PLACE
Clark Torma, TCF, Norway, MI
"Black Ice Shoulder Buster"
Black IPA

Belgians & Wheats
1ST PLACE
Michael Thorpe, Alexandria, VA
"Sorachi Lime Saison"
Rye Saison with Sorachi Ace hops, lime zest, and Brett. Claussenni
2ND PLACE
Rob Hibbard, TCF, Iron Mountain, MI
"Border Wheat"
American Wheat
3RD PLACE
Edward Mathis, Beecher, WI & Jon Coyne, Iron Mountain, MI; TCF
"Welcome to Sour Paradise"
Flanders Red Ale

Fruit & Spice Beers
1ST PLACE
Mike Miller, TCF, Escanaba, MI
"Norwegian Wood"
Other Smoked Beer with Juniper
2ND PLACE
Jonathan Bowker, Brew Free or Die, Weare, NH
"Strawberry Blonde Ale"
Strawberry Blonde
3RD PLACE
Clark Torma, TCF, Norway, MI
"Oh Christmas Tree"
Spruce Beer with sweet orange peel

BEST OF SHOW
Ross Ziegenthaler
Scottish Export 80/-

2ND BEST OF SHOW
Clark Torma
Black IPA

SULTAN OF SMALL BEERS
Best beer at or under 1.045 OG
Clark Torma
Standard/Ordinary Bitter

FURTHEST DISTANCE TRAVELED
Dennis Byington & Brian Hughes
Chula Vista, California
2264 miles

Entry form back online

The entry form for the upcoming Brew Masters Competition is open again. Feel free to enter.

Entry Deadline for the Brew Masters Competition: March 27th

Please click on the link on the right for rules and entry info.
Don't miss out on a chance to get your beer judged!
The Best of Show Winner is named "The Kaiser" and gets their name engraved on our traveling trophy, forever becoming part of club lore.

2012 Dead of Winter Stout Competition RESULTS

Here are the results of our 4th DOW Stout Competition
Total Entries: 19
1ST PLACE: Al Ewan, Rhinelander, TCF/BIER
Banana Rye Stout
2ND PLACE: John Rugotzke, Rhinelander, TCF/BIER
Sour-mashed Stout with Indian Sarsaparilla
3RD PLACE:John Rugotzke, Rhinelander TCF/BIER
Smoked Imperial Stout with double bacon
OTHER ENTRANTS:
Rob Hibbard, Iron Moutain, TCF
Whiskey Old Fashioned Stout*
Rob Hibbard, Iron Mountain, TCF
Hazelnut Coffee Stout*
Edward Mathis, Beecher, TCF
Imperial Stout with Rosemary and Juniper*
John Beck, Escanaba, BdNB
Candy Cane Stout
Brandon Kolbe, Appleton, ALEs
Chocolate Rye Stout
Cindy Kolbe, Appleton, ALEs
Sweet Stout with slight vanilla/coffee
Sweet Imperial Stout with hints of caramel and vanilla
Sam Hennessee, Mensha, ALEs
Toasted Pumpkin seed Stout
Milk Stout with semi-sweet chocolate
Gary Lindow, Homestead, TCF
Chocolate raspberry stout
Stout with maple syrup
Bacon Stout
John Parsons, Green Bay, Rackers
Irish Stout with Cherries and bourbon cherry bounce soaked oak
John Rugotzke, Rhinelander, TCF/BIER
Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
Crème Brulee Sweet Stout
Clark Torma, Norway, TCF
Tropical Foreign Extra Stout with onion infused
*Advanced to Best of Show Round

I would like to thank all of the entrants for making this our most competitive field yet. The Best of Show panel of Josh Marenger, Cindy Kolbe, Lorena Evans, and Brian Mitchell had a very difficult time picking this year's winners. Thanks also to our other judges: Gary Lindow, Ryan Jacobson, Sam Hennessee, Tim McGuire, Trenton Rankin, and Leon Schiavo; our stewards Victoria Hennessee and Brandon Kolbe; and finally our host: Scott McGuire who yet again missed the competition!
Overall, the field was very creative this year and I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with next year.

Time to Renew for 2012

It is time to start thinking about renewing your TCF membership for 2012. If your card is white and says 2011 on it, your benefits, including your 10% discount on brewing supplies at Riverside Liquor expire on December 31st. Please send your dues to one of the club officers (Edward, Ryan, and Gary) in order to get your new and improved 2012 membership card. Dues remain $10. Please email me if you have any questions.

2012 Dead of Winter Stout Competition

The fourth DOW Stout Competition will be held in Iron Mountain, Michigan on January 21st at the home of Scott McGuire from 10am to 3pm CST. Please bring a dish to pass. The club will provide the main dish. Email the webmaster if you are interested in judging or stewarding. Please click on the link on the pages box on the right for more info.

Fall N' Down Fermentation Festival POSTPONED

The Tri-County Fermenters will be postponing the 2011 Fall N' Down Fermentation Festival due to recent changes in how the Wisconsin Dept of Revenue interprets statutes related in home fermenting. We are hopeful that we can bring this event back in 2012. Thanks to all who have previously participated in this event.