The first annual Montana Mashup statewide home brew competition was held this weekend in Bozeman, with judging taking place at Bridger Brewing Co. Spawned out of good-natured smack talk between home brew clubs Zoo City Zymurgists (Missoula), Rimrock Brewers Guild (Billings) and Bridger Brew Crew (Bozeman), the competition serves to celebrate the home brewing culture in a state that loves its craft beer.
After two days of judging, here are the results:
Overall FINAL results for Montana Mashup:
Best of Show 1st place overall
1. Clint Nissen – Saison, Category #16 Belgian/French Ale
2nd place overall
2. Kyle Sims – Category #14 American IPA
3rd place overall
3. Rick Dahlen – Category #18 Belgian Strong Ale
Style category results for Montana Mashup:
Category #6 Light Hybrid Beer
1. Jeff Shanafelt – Cream Ale
2. Phillip Carrey – Kolsch
Category #9 Scottish and Irish Ale
1. Jake Holsue – Scottish Ale
2. Andres Buitron – Strong Scotch Ale
Category #13 Stout
1. Chad Cunningham – Russian Imperial Stout
2. Alan McCormick – American Stout
Category #14 India Pale Ale
1. Carl Spurgeon – American IPA
2. Nick Carson – American IPA
Category #15 German Wheat and Rye Beer
1. Damien Leonard – Roggenbier
2. Matt Miller – Weizen
Category #16 Belgian and French Ale
1. Paul Pope – Belgian Specialty
2. Clint Nissen – Saison
Category #18 Belgian Strong Ale
1. Rick Dahlen – Belgian Golden Strong
2. Paul Pope – Belgian Blond Ale
Category #22 Smoke Flavored and Wood-aged Beer
1. Jeff Shanafelt – Other Smoked Beer
2. Jeff Shanafelt – Wood-Aged Beer
Category #23 Specialty
1. Joe Henan
2. Rick Smaniotto
(Note: The winners in each category were judged for best in show. For those which won the top three overall spots, the next highest scoring beer in the corresponding category was awarded 1st place for the category.)
Many thanks to Jesse Bussard and Scott McCormick of the Bridger Brew Crew for handling the organizational tasks for this debut competition. And thanks also to the many sponsors who helped make it possible: Bridger Brewing, Bozeman Brewing Company, 406 Brewing Company, Planet Natural, Big Sky Brewing Co., Billings Homebrew Supply, Montana Brewers Association, Chapman Homebrew Supply, Summer Sun Garden and Brew Supply and Ryan Newhouse.
The overall winner, Clint Nissen, will have the opportunity to brew his winning Saison on a commercial scale at Bridger Brewing Co. with head brewer Daniel Pollard. I had an opportunity to try Clint’s Saison a few weeks back and can vouch for it’s outstanding quality.
I’m also thrilled my stout took second since this is the first competition I’ve entered. Just don’t tell me there were only two stouts entered.
Congrats to all the winners!
