As a part of the 2011 Philly Beer Week, we, with the help of our friends from Philly Beer Scene Magazine and Coronado Brewing Company from California, hosted the third Draught Horse Homebrew competition on Tuesday, June 7. The set up for our event begins with talented homebrewers and challenging them with a specific style of beer. We then select our panel of judges to grade the different beers. Lastly, there is the tasting for the spectators so everyone can try all the one-of-a-kind beers.

For the Third Homebrew we had the participants bring in their best creative take on Wheat Beers. The categories the judges voted on were appearance, drinkability, taste, body, smell, name, and overall execution of their concept. With this in mind the brewers came up with unique flavor combinations, creative names, and custom labels.

Rick Chapman, the President of Coronado, and Clinton Smith, regional sales manager for San Diego, were on site to get the full experience in person. Clinton was one of our judges for the event while Rick got to meet with fans of his beer. The whole evening we had six different Coronado beers on tap for $3. We were very thankful for our special guest to make it all the way from across the country just to visit us.

With a dozen beer competitors to select from it was not an easy decision for our judges to pick a winner, but when it was all said and done, Kyle Park came out on top with his beer Drachentoter Dunkelweizen: a classic Bavarian all-wheat ale brewed with Noble German Hops and a bit of chocolate wheat. Kyle has an impressive track record at Draught Horse Homebrew Competitions with now two wins and one third place prize. Kyle took home a plaque, $100 Gift card to a homebrew store, steaks from US Foods, Draught Horse gift cards, and a article written about him in the next issue of Philly Beer Scene Magazine! (Check out Kyle’s beer blog at http://hopsandcircumstance.blogspot.com)

Thanks to everyone who made it out for our Homebrew Competition! It is a great time hosting and we love seeing passion for beer. Be on the lookout for another one in the fall; please let us know about any style suggestions! Special thanks to our judges; we could not have done it without you.  Cheers!

• Neil Harner, Owner, Philly Beer Scene Magazine
• Bobby Clark, Writer, Philly Beer Scene Magazine
• Clinton Smith, Regional Sales Manager, Coronado Brewing
• Bill McGeeney, BJCP Judge
• Matt Konopka, Territory Manager, US Foods
• Jeremiah Wood, Draught Horse MBA Club Member

For more info about the scholarship, datelines and how to apply please download the brochure here and here.