Oaken Barrel Crowns Homebrew Champion
Garret Peterson wins first annual award
April, 1999Oaken Barrel Brewing Company announced today that Indianapolis resident Garret Peterson is the winner of their first annual Indiana Homebrew Championship. Labeled "Spring Fever," Peterson's Kolsch style beer won among a crowded field of 99 entries.
The beers were judged by a panel of seven local professional brewers, including representatives from Oaken Barrel Brewing Co., Circle V Brewing Co., Alcatraz Brewing Co., and Great Fermentations homebrew store. Beers were judged on appearance, aroma, mouthfeel, balance and integrity with style.
"We were surprised by the number of entries," said judge and Oaken Barrel brewer Brook Belli. "Receiving 99 beers for a first-time event proves that there is a solid base of local homebrewers."
With the large number of entries, the beers had to be broken down into smaller groups for the judging. They were broken into light/golden ales, amber ales, dark beers, pale/bitter ales, and fruit beers. Peterson's award-winning Kolsch came from the light ale category. Kolsch is a light, fruity German-style ale with wine-like characteristics.
Oaken Barrel awarded medals for the top three beers. Sandy Cockerham (Indianapolis, IN) won second place for her Barley Wine and Joe Leak (Lizton, IN) won third for his Irish Cream Stout.
As the winner, Garret Peterson won an imprinted gold medal and his weight in beer from Oaken Barrel. For the 260-pound Peterson, that translates to just over two 1/2 barrel kegs of beer. He also wins the chance to help brew a seven-barrel batch of his award- winning beer at Oaken Barrel's brewpub this spring.
