Arkansas brewer’s stout takes top honors in Coast homebrew competition
Home brewers across the Coast came together to celebrate the first Gulf Coast Brewers League Summer homebrew competition at Hops and Growlers homebrew store in Ocean Springs.
The judging of 87 entries took place in a conference room at Gulfport’s F.E.B. Distribution plant, starting about 9 a.m. and finishing about 4 p.m.
Fifteen judges, many of whom are Brewing Judge Certification Program certified, took turns judging. Some were themselves professional brewers.
Besides earning notes on brewing recipes and medals of recognition, the Best in Show winner earned the opportunity to have his beer brewed and bottled by Lazy Magnolia Brewing Co.
Door prizes were also given away to all those who attended the award presentation at Hops and Growlers.
More than 13 categories of beer were eligible to win the Best in Show prize.
“We probably got through at least 57 different entries this morning before taking a break for lunch,” said Mark Cowley, organizer of the competition and a founding member of the Gulf Coast Brewers League.
South Mississippi was well represented among the entries, as was the Gulf Coast region, but the competition also received entries from as far away as Connecticut.
Beers are judged on the appearance, aroma, taste and mouth feel, with overall impression an important factor as well.
The medalists represented the Coast and beyond. Best in Show went to Kenneth Roberts from Little Rock, Ark., with his Russian Imperial stout. First runner-up went to David Moore from Ocean Springs for his American Light lager. Second runner-up went to Travis Hudson and Kerry Thibodax of the Long Beach Brewers Club Cold Comfort Brewing.
“This whole event went really great,” said Scott Hixson, owner of Hops and growlers and president of the Gulf Coast Brewers League. “F.E.B. Distribution really stepped up to the plate and with Lazy Magnolia agreeing to brew the winner’s beer, its gone just about as well as I could hope.”
The Gulf Coast Brewers League plans to host another competition in the winter.
Nate Thurman: 228-896-2350
Local and Best in Show winners across the categories include
American lagers and American style wheats
First place: David Moore of Ocean Springs with his American light lager
Porters and Stouts
Second place: Caleb Hudson of Ocean Springs with his Russian Imperial stout
Third place: Kyle Mickelson of D'Iberville with his milk stout
India pale ales and Pale ales
Second place: J.G. Johnson of McComb with his India pale ale
Third place: Paul Murphy of Ocean Springs with his double India pale ale
Brown ales, Weissbeers and Irish ales
First place: Paul Murphy of Ocean Springs with his Weissbeer
Third place: Travis Hudson and Kerry Thibodaux of Long Beach with their Irish red ale
Belgian ales
First place: Troy Savoie of Ocean Springs with his Belgian Wit beer
Second place: Robert Bieker of St. Martin with his Belgian Wit beer
Third place: Suzanne and Jack Marino of Picayune with their Belgian golden strong ale
Experimental ales
First place: Travis Hudson and Kerry Thibodaux of Long Beach with their cherry-smoked malt ale
Third place: Tony Hutter with his rose hip beer
Best In Show
Winner: Kenneth Roberts of Little Rock, Arkansas with his Russian Imperial stout
First runner-up: David Moore with his American style light lager
Second runner-up: Travis Hudson and Kerry Thibodaux of Long Beach with their cherry-smoked malt ale
This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 12:28 PM with the headline "Arkansas brewer’s stout takes top honors in Coast homebrew competition."