IBRU Bottle Cap Brew Off

Awards

Sponsors

Judges

Dan Acheson, John Allison, Michael Beck, Sandy Cockerham, Bryan Dixon, Derek England, David Fetty, Keith Goldstein, Pete Graham, Michael Helzer, Paul Isaacson, Dan Janiczek, Siobhan Janiczek, Joseph Krause, Kelly Krause, Matthew Mead, Kimberly Neal, Bradley Pausha, Mike Pelter, Aaron Pigors, Linda Swihart, Brett Vodicka, Jim Vondracek, Jeff Whelpley, Kevin Wojdak, Eric Wood

Judges - Best of Show

Dan Acheson, John Allison, Sandy Cockerham

Stewards

Colin Brandon, Cody Brite, Cameron Butler, BJ Davis, Laura Dixon, Jess Hase, Martin Hassink, Caroline Herrera, Robert Mann, Megan Mele, Timothy Mele, Bruce Myhre, Andre Nelson, Steve Williams

Staff

Michael Beck, Dan Janiczek, Siobhan Janiczek, Robert Mann, Megan Mele, Andre Nelson, Aaron Pigors

Organizer

Art Kim

By the Numbers

171 Entries 75 Entrants

26 Judges 14 Stewards 7 Staff

77 Placing Entries

Table 1: Pils & Light Lagers

9 entries

Judges: Derek England (Head Judge), Keith Goldstein, Matthew Mead, Kimberly Neal

1st
Rodney Kibzey
Oregon Brew Crew
Mini Pils (5A: German Leichtbier)
2nd
Ross Stuart
Arizona Society of Homebrewers
Japanese Rice Lager (2A: International Pale Lager)
3rd
Jim Richter & Michael Wulff
INSTABHility
Manada de Lobos (2A: International Pale Lager)

Table 2: Pale Lagers & Ales

12 entries

Judges: David Fetty (Head Judge), Pete Graham, Bradley Pausha, Eric Wood

1st
Scott Pointon
Brewers of South Suburbia...
Hop Cream (1C: Cream Ale)
2nd
Rodney Kibzey
Oregon Brew Crew
Can of Corn (1C: Cream Ale)
3rd
Dan Janiczek
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Strawberry Blonde (18A: Blonde Ale)

Table 3: Munich Helles

5 entries

Judges: Michael Helzer (Head Judge), Siobhan Janiczek

1st
Pete Graham
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)
Heaven Beside You.. Helles Within (4A: Munich Helles)
2nd
Steve Ristau
Ale Riders Homebrew Club
New Hope Hellesfest (4A: Munich Helles)
3rd
Martin Hassink
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Danke (4A: Munich Helles)

Table 4: Czech & International Dark Lagers

7 entries

Judges: Michael Beck, Mike Pelter (Head Judge)

1st
Dirk Montgomery
Red Earth Brewers
Czech Chad Out! (3D: Czech Dark Lager)
2nd
Danny Sack
Evanston Homebrew Club
Wrecking Ball (3D: Czech Dark Lager)
3rd
Matthew McDowell & Mark Wilkins
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Dad and Grandpa's Dark Lager (2C: International Dark Lager)

Table 5: Oktoberfest Beer

8 entries

Judges: Siobhan Janiczek, Linda Swihart (Head Judge)

1st
Bryan Antoniuk
Madison Homebrewers &...
Better Late Than Never (6A: Märzen)
2nd
Jim Richter & Michael Wulff
INSTABHility
Friendsgiving (6A: Märzen)
3rd
Jonathan Marut
Horsemen of the Hopocalypse
Maisy's Marzen (6A: Märzen)

Table 6: Dark German Lagers

6 entries

Judges: Sandy Cockerham (Head Judge), Paul Isaacson

1st
Danny Sack
Evanston Homebrew Club
Wbil (8A: Munich Dunkel)
2nd
Robert Parks
Oak Park Homebrewers
Dark Night (8B: Schwarzbier)
3rd
Mike Lawler
North Urban Brewing Society...
4th Kind (8B: Schwarzbier)
HM
Pete Graham
Foam Blowers of Indiana (FBI)
Sleepless In the Onyx Night (8A: Munich Dunkel)

Table 7: Bocks

6 entries

Judges: Michael Beck (Head Judge), Mike Pelter

1st
Bill Goetz
Brewers of South Suburbia...
Billy Goetz Bock (6C: Dunkels Bock)
2nd
Dominick Dufner
STLBrewhogs
Hellraiser (9A: Doppelbock)
3rd
Taylor Shastid
Diablo Order of Zymiracle...
Predestinator (9A: Doppelbock)

Table 8: Rye & Wheat Beer

6 entries

Judges: Dan Janiczek, Jim Vondracek (Head Judge)

1st
Joseph Lynch
The Brü Club
Wit Thanks From Mo (24A: Witbier)
2nd
Art Kim
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Occam's Razor (27A8: Roggenbier)
3rd
Dave Maurer & Angelique Connor
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Hoosier Hefe (10A: Weissbier)
HM
Mike Pelter
Brewers of South Suburbia...
Ruthless Roggen (27A8: Roggenbier)

Table 9: Bitter British Ales

5 entries

Judges: Mike Pelter, Aaron Pigors (Head Judge), Brett Vodicka

1st
Stephen Schmitt
Evanston Homebrew Club
Loftus Road (11A: Ordinary Bitter)
2nd
Joe Hughes
STLBrewhogs
Mighty Raptor's Revenge (17A: British Strong Ale)
3rd
Steve Ristau
Ale Riders Homebrew Club
Steve's Extra Special Wet-Hopped Bitter (11C: Strong Bitter)

Table 10: Brown British Beer

7 entries

Judges: Michael Helzer (Head Judge), Brett Vodicka, Jeff Whelpley

1st
Dale Haggard
Brewers of South Suburbia...
Old Town Mild (13A: Dark Mild)
2nd
Dave Oram & Mike Morel
Brewers of South Suburbia...
Brown County (13B: British Brown Ale)
3rd
Scott Pointon
Brewers of South Suburbia...
Pointon's Proper English Mild (13A: Dark Mild)

Table 11: Irish Ale

5 entries

Judges: Michael Beck (Head Judge), Dan Janiczek

1st
Brandon Christian & Chris And Diane Catanzaro
Seven City Brewers
Blackwater Stout (15B: Irish Stout)
2nd
David Galich
Chicken City Ale Raisers
Forgive Me Father, For I Have Brewed (15A: Irish Red Ale)
3rd
Cody Brite
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Churchill's Reserve (15B: Irish Stout)

Table 12: Barleywine & Wee Heavy

6 entries

Judges: Dan Janiczek, Aaron Pigors (Head Judge)

1st
Yvette Steyn
Boneyard Union of Zymurgical...
The Big Beautiful Grainbill (17C: Wee Heavy)
2nd
Gillian Muller Greyz
Evanston Homebrew Club
Hey, It's A Barley Wine! (17D: English Barley Wine)
3rd
Matthew Johnsen
Rock Hoppers Brew Club
Weapon X (17C: Wee Heavy)

Table 13: American Pale Ale

7 entries

Judges: Sandy Cockerham (Head Judge), Eric Wood

1st
Ross Stuart
Arizona Society of Homebrewers
American Pale Ale (18B: American Pale Ale)
2nd
Jay Brantley
PC Mashers
A Stop At Willoughby (18B: American Pale Ale)
3rd
Brent Anderson
Urban Knaves of Grain
Fresh Harvest Ale (18B: American Pale Ale)

Table 14: Amber Beer

6 entries

Judges: Bryan Dixon (Head Judge), Kevin Wojdak

1st
Dominick Dufner
STLBrewhogs
Neon Maniacs (19B: California Common)
2nd
Gregory Sanial
PrimeTime Brewers
Steam Power Used To Be Common (19B: California Common)
3rd
Chuck Koch
Urban Knaves of Grain
Sunset Ale (19A: American Amber Ale)

Table 15: Porter & Stout

5 entries

Judges: Mike Pelter, Aaron Pigors (Head Judge), Brett Vodicka

1st
Jonathan Lizenby
256 Brewers
American Stout (20B: American Stout)
2nd
Rodney Kibzey
Oregon Brew Crew
Centennial Me! (20A: American Porter)
3rd
Gillian Muller Greyz
Evanston Homebrew Club
The Cursed Brew (20C: Imperial Stout)

Table 16: American IPA

8 entries

Judges: Keith Goldstein, Bradley Pausha, Jim Vondracek (Head Judge)

1st
Ross Stuart
Arizona Society of Homebrewers
American IPA (21A: American IPA)
2nd
Gregory Sanial
PrimeTime Brewers
I Like My Ipas Cold (21A: American IPA)
3rd
Michael Beck
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Salad Fingers (21A: American IPA)

Table 17: Specialty IPA

7 entries

Judges: Derek England (Head Judge), Siobhan Janiczek

1st
Taylor Shastid
Diablo Order of Zymiracle...
Back To the 90s Cascadian Dark Ale (21B2: Black IPA)
2nd
Jay Brantley
PC Mashers
The Sixteen Millimeter Shrine (22A: Double IPA)
3rd
Taylor Shastid
Diablo Order of Zymiracle...
Panama Red (21B4: Red IPA)

Table 18: Hazy IPA

6 entries

Judges: Bryan Dixon, Matthew Mead (Head Judge)

1st
Jonathan Marut
Horsemen of the Hopocalypse
Don't Change Anything NEIPA (21C: Hazy IPA)
2nd
Michael Wulff & Jim Richter
INSTABHility
Growth Mindset (21C: Hazy IPA)
3rd
Yvette Steyn
Boneyard Union of Zymurgical...
Feather Dust (21C: Hazy IPA)

Table 19: Belgian Beer

8 entries

Judges: David Fetty (Head Judge), Paul Isaacson, Joseph Krause

1st
Ryan Kuhn & Jack Churchill
Saison 2 (25B: Saison)
2nd
Kyle Murphy
Boneyard Union of Zymurgical...
Buzz Rules!! (25B: Saison)
3rd
Derek England
Club Wort
Bock de Garde (24C: Bière de Garde)

Table 20: Strong Belgian Beer

5 entries

Judges: Siobhan Janiczek (Head Judge), Brett Vodicka

1st
Mike Ring
Oak Park Homebrewers
Abbey Road To Nowhere (26D: Belgian Dark Strong Ale)
2nd
Nathan James
Brewers And Drinkers Around...
Mephistopheles (25C: Belgian Golden Strong Ale)
3rd
Matthew Mead
PrimeTime Brewers
Belgian Gordon Strong Ale (25C: Belgian Golden Strong Ale)

Table 21: Smoke Beer

5 entries

Judges: Michael Beck (Head Judge), Dan Janiczek

1st
Gregory Sanial
PrimeTime Brewers
Smoke On the Water (32A: Classic Style Smoked Beer)
2nd
Bryan Antoniuk
Madison Homebrewers &...
Grow-Jee-Ski-Uh (27A5: Piwo Grodziskie)
3rd
Kevin Lewis
Puck (27A3: Lichtenhainer)

Table 22: Wild, Funky & Sour

7 entries

Judges: Michael Beck (Head Judge), Pete Graham

1st
Jay Brantley
PC Mashers
Quality of Mercy (23A: Berliner Weisse)
2nd
Matthew Mead
PrimeTime Brewers
Straight Sour (28D: Straight Sour Beer)
3rd
Michael Wulff & Maeve Wulff
INSTABHility
Maeve (LSX4: Catharina Sour)

Table 23: Fruit Beer

8 entries

Judges: Michael Helzer (Head Judge), Kelly Krause, Brett Vodicka

1st
Jonathan Rollins
Horsemen of the Hopocalypse
Pica Pica! (23F: Fruit Lambic)
2nd
Joe Hughes
STLBrewhogs
Grandma's Blueberry Pie Sour (29C: Specialty Fruit Beer)
3rd
Dan Acheson
Urban Knaves of Grain
Birra Vinifico (LSX3: Italian Grape Ale)

Table 24: Spiced, Herb & Vegetable Beer

12 entries

Judges: Kimberly Neal, Mike Pelter, Linda Swihart (Head Judge), Kevin Wojdak

1st
Brandon Christian & Carla Christian
Seven City Brewers
El Diablo de Chocolate (30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer)
2nd
Jim Richter & Michael Wulff
INSTABHility
Mad Marzen (30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer)
3rd
Joe Hughes
STLBrewhogs
Spice Odyssey (30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer)

Table 25: Wood Aged Beer

5 entries

Judges: Michael Helzer (Head Judge), Siobhan Janiczek

1st
Brian Bilow & James Bilow
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Bbq (33B: Specialty Wood-Aged Beer)
2nd
Dan Acheson
Urban Knaves of Grain
A Goat Walks Into A Bar (33A: Wood-Aged Beer)
3rd
Art Kim & Aaron Pigors & Mike...
Illiana Beer Rackers Union...
Cerberus (33B: Specialty Wood-Aged Beer)

Best of Show

Beer

Judges: Dan Acheson, John Allison, Sandy Cockerham

1st
Taylor Shastid
Diablo Order of Zymiracle...
Back To the 90s Cascadian Dark Ale (21B2: Black IPA)
2nd
Rodney Kibzey
Oregon Brew Crew
Mini Pils (5A: German Leichtbier)
3rd
Gregory Sanial
PrimeTime Brewers
Smoke On the Water (32A: Classic Style Smoked Beer)
HM
Jonathan Lizenby
256 Brewers
American Stout (20B: American Stout)

Bottle Cap Brewer Of The Year

75 Participating Brewers [Scoring Methodology]

PlaceBrewer1st2nd3rdScoreClub
1stRoss Stuart2108.0302000Arizona Society of Homebrewers
2ndGregory Sanial1207.0301000PrimeTime Brewers
Rodney Kibzey1207.0301000Oregon Brew Crew
Jay Brantley1207.0301000PC Mashers

Bottle Cap Club Of The Year

38 Participating Clubs [Scoring Methodology]

PlaceClub1st2nd3rdHMScore
1stIlliana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)117012.0901000
2ndBrewers of South Suburbia (BOSS)311112.0503000
3rdEvanston Homebrew Club221011.0502000

Thank You

Congratulations to All Medal Winners