WDIY's annual beer tasting event dedicated entirely to homebrewers returned for its fourth year this past Saturday, June 22nd at the Ice House in Bethlehem. Check out some photos from the event including the winning homebrewers.
Homebrewers brought 33 unique beers for attendees to try. Brewers came from areas throughout the Lehigh Valley and also places like Montgomery County; York County; and Brooklyn, New York. Homebrew Fest sponsor Keystone Homebrew Supply was also on hand with two original wine coolers.
The top three winning homebrews selected by a panel of judges were:
1. "Cash Rules Everything Around Me" (Cream Ale) by Michael MacCubbin and Jason Bell
2. "Sailor's Delight" (Oatmeal Stout with strawberry and vanilla) by Preston and Maggie Klingseis
3. "Wastin' Away Again..." (Gose with lime peel) by Matt King and Carmen Bona
The other two semi-finalists chosen by the popular vote were:
- "Strawberry Fields for Brewing" (Fruit Wheat) by Craig Stottlemyer and George Lindley
- "Crimson Dawn" (Raspberry Milkshake IPA) by Scott Thomas and Eric Thomas
Michael MacCubbin and Jason Bell will work with Yergey Brewing in Emmaus to brew their first prize winning cream ale, "Cash Rules Everything Around Me," on Yergey's professional system. Once the brewing process is complete, the cream ale will be served in the Yergey taproom. WDIY will welcome MacCubbin and Bell for an on-air interview on Lehigh Vally Arts Salon later in the year before their cream ale is debuted at Yergey.
The judging panel this year consisted of:
- Michael Drabenstott, host of WDIY's The Inside Dish
- Bill Dautremont-Smith, host of WDIY's The Blend and The World Blend
- Chris Bowen, head brewer at Fegley's Bethlehem Brew Works
- Honoree Kerrigan, co-owner of 14th Fret Brewing Company
- Jim Yergey, owner of Yergey Brewing
WDIY would like to thank the sponsors of our 4th Annual Homebrew Fest for helping to make this event possible: Stone House Group, Keystone Homebrew Supply, Yergey Brewing, Deja Brew, Tri Outdoor, HMK Insurance, and Working Dog Press.
