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Register online by June 1 for Battle of the Brews home brewing competition

July 19 event to take place at Delaware State Fair
May 23, 2014

Home brewers from around the region can compete in Delaware’s premier home-brewed beer competition, the Fourth Annual Battle of the Brews at the Delaware State Fair.

The July 19 event is a Beer Judge Certification Program-sanctioned event, where certified judges will rate and rank the work of home-brewing enthusiasts, sponsored by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

There are 400 entry slots available this year, with registration taking place through June 1 at www.delawarestatefair.com (click on Get Involved and then select Exhibitors). Entries may be dropped off from June 28 to July 6 at one of six locations.

Last year’s Battle of the Brews had a limit of 100 entries, due to the limited availability of judges, and the 2012 event had 325 entries.

“Delaware’s growing core of local breweries has driven up interest in the craft of home brewing,” said co-organizerJimmy Kroon, president of Delmarva United Homebrewers and an environmental scientist with the Department ofAgriculture. “This is also a really social hobby, and simple to get into. The Battle of the Brews really focuses that interest and helps other people learn about home brewing as well.”

“This event gives home brewers an opportunity to showcase their work and receive great feedback about their beer,” said Dan Woodall, chemistry laboratory manager for the Delaware Department of Agriculture and a founder of the event.

Judging runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, July 19, in the Delaware Electric Cooperative Free Entertainment Tent. The public is invited to taste beers from local breweries from 5 to 8 p.m., and the Battle of the Brews awards will be announced at 7 p.m.

Judges will grade the beers on a point system that includes aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel and overall impressions. Winners will be selected in 23 styles, or categories, with the top beer of each style competing for Best Of Show. The champion will receive $250, second place wins $150 and third place $50. Styles include lagers, pilsner, bock, hybrids, ales, porter and stout, among other categories.

For more information, visit www.delawarestatefair.com or contact Jimmy Kroon at jimmy.kroon@gmail.com or Ron Price at reprice_88@hotmail.com.

 

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