Black Cloister Brewing Montage From Visit

Here is a look back at my visit to Black Cloister Brewing and an inside look at their Brewpub in Toledo, Ohio. See more about the brewery by also checking out my interview video with their head brewer Clint about their beers.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2018 Montage Of Sights

Here ’s a look back at some of the sights I saw this past weekend at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati which was the first one that I attended, and is said to be the largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich, Germany. The beer was in great supply, the food smelled and was delicious and in the end, I witnessed Joey Chestnut consume over 65 brats in 10 minutes. I wasn’t feeling too hungry after that, lol, but check out all that was seen by watching the video.

MadTree Brewing Wins Gold at Great American Beer Festival®

MadTree Brewing Awarded Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival^®

MadTree Honored for Brewing Excellence for Happy Amber Ale

Press Release: CINCINNATI (September 24, 2018) – MadTree Brewing Company received a gold medal at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. The top three winners in the competition’s 102 beer-style categories were announced September 22 at the Great American Beer Festival awards ceremony held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. 

MadTree was recognized in the Extra Special Bitter beer-style category for its Happy Amber. This dry-hopped amber ale combines caramel and biscuit malt flavors in happy equilibrium with late addition American hops. The approachable balance is intentional although the name is a "hoppy accident." There were a total of 72 entries in this category from breweries around the country. Details on the beer, including a recipe to brew it at home, is available on the MadTree website.

“We’re beyond excited to win the gold for Happy Amber. This was one of the original three beer recipes we brewed in our basement. In typical MadTree fashion, we brewed it 30+ times to dial in the perfect balance of flavors. We’ve always stood behind Happy Amber so it’s really gratifying to see it recognized as one of the best beers in the country,” said Brady Duncan, MadTree co-founder. “Plus, it was awesome to see Ohio breweries bring home a total of 14 medals. Ohio beer drinkers are lucky to have so many great beers to choose from.”

The 2018 GABF competition winners were selected by an international panel of 293 expert judges from 8,496 entries, received from 2,404 U.S. breweries, plus 101 Pro-Am and 49 Collaboration entries.

“The 32^nd edition of the GABF competition yielded a remarkable turnout of the country’s most exemplary beers,” said Chris Swersey, competition manager, Great American Beer Festival. “I’m continuously impressed by contenders’ talent and passion and would like to extend congratulations to this year’s winners for their excellence in brewing.”

For more GABF competition information, including the 2018 winners list and photos, visit GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.

About MadTree Brewing Company

Cincinnati’s MadTree Brewing made history when they opened in 2013 by becoming the first modern craft brewery to can its beer in Ohio. When it comes to brewing, they have carved their own path. They mix. They mash. They methodically bring quality beer to life and have fun doing it. Demand from the growing community keeps MadTree motivated and moving. In return, they make nothing but the best beer and opened their new production brewery and taproom in February 2017. They are founded and continue to grow on the notion that beer builds community and community builds beer. MadTree distributes its beers throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Middle and Eastern Tennessee. For more information about the beers, brewery, and taproom, visit madtreebrewing.com or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Ohio Breweries Well Represented At Great American Beer Festival Once Again - Winning 14 Medals

Press Release: Ohio Brewers Win Record Number of Awards

13 breweries earn 14 total medals at annual competition.

DENVER – Ohio craft brewers reached new heights at the 2018 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held Sep. 20-22. The Ohio delegation won a total of 14 awards at the nation’s most prestigious brewing competition.

Brink Brewing in Cincinnati paced the Ohio field this year with two medals, a gold for Moozie in the Sweet Stout or Cream Stout category, as well as a silver for Hold The Reins in the English-Style Mild Ale category. The two medals earned Brink the award for Very Small Brewing Company of the Year, the top honor given to a brewery producing under 1,000 barrels of beer in the previous calendar year.

Three Ohio beers earned repeat honors this year, including Brink’s Moozie stout, which also won gold last year. Midwest Red IPA by Masthead Brewing in Cleveland took gold in the Double Hoppy Red Ale category after winning bronze in 2017. Midnight Moonlight by Fat Head’s Brewery in Middleburg Heights took bronze in the American-Style Black Ale category, the fourth consecutive year the beer has earned an award. Fat Head’s has now won awards in 10 straight GABF competitions, earning a total of 22 medals.

Three first-time GABF entrants from northeast Ohio won medals at the competition. Lockport Brewery in Bolivar took home a gold medal for Gateway Cream Ale in the American-Style Cream Ale category. Ignite Brewing in Barberton earned silver for Cherry Blonde in the American-Style Fruit Beer category. Paradigm Shift Brewing in Massillon won bronze for Neighbor Girl in the Belgian-Style Tripel category.

Two Ohio breweries took home gold in their first GABF medal wins: MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati (Happy Amber in the Extra Special Bitter category) and Royal Docks Brewing in North Canton (Pendragon in the Herb & Spice Beer category).

Four Ohio breweries added to their trophy case: Maize Valley (Lock, Stock, and Brandy Barrel, silver in Aged Beer), Market Garden Brewery in Cleveland (Nano – OG Lager, silver in International-Style Pilsener), The Brew Kettle in Strongsville (Babee Bock, bronze in Munich-Style Dunkel or European-Style Dark Lager), Columbus Brewing Company in Columbus (Melk Stout, bronze in Sweet Stout or Cream Stout), and Lager Heads Brewing in Medina (Oktoberfest, bronze in American-Style Amber Lager).

“This record-setting year for Ohio breweries at the GABF competition goes to show that we’re making world-class beers here in the Buckeye State,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “Some of the best beers in the country are made here, both in our big cities and small towns, by established powerhouses and new startup breweries. It’s never been a better time to be a beer drinker in Ohio.”

Since 2009, 27 Ohio craft breweries have combined to win 66 medals—22 gold—at the Great American Beer Festival.

2017 medal-winning Ohio craft beers:

Brink Brewing Co.:
• Moozie – Gold medal, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout
• Hold The Reins – Silver medal, English-Style Mild Ale

Lockport Brewery:
• Gateway Cream Ale – Gold medal, American-Style Cream Ale

MadTree Brewing Company:
• Happy Amber – Gold medal, Extra Special Bitter

Masthead Brewing Co.:
• Midwest Red IPA – Gold medal, Double Hoppy Red Ale

Royal Docks Brewing Company:
• Pendragon – Gold medal, Herb & Spice Beer

Ignite Brewing Co.:
• Cherry Blonde – Silver medal, American-Style Fruit Beer

Maize Valley:
• Lock, Stock and Brandy Barrel – Silver medal, Aged Beer

Market Garden Brewery:
• Nano - OG Lager – Silver medal, International-Style Pilsener

The Brew Kettle:
• Babee Bock – Bronze medal, Munich-Style Dunkel or European-Style Dark Lager

Columbus Brewing Company:
• Melk Stout – Bronze medal, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout

Fat Head’s Brewery:
• Midnight Moonlight – Bronze medal, American-Style Black Ale
 
Lager Heads Brewing Company:
• Oktoberfest – Bronze medal, American-Style Amber Lager

Paradigm Shift Brewing:
• Neighbor Girl – Bronze medal, Belgian-Style Tripe


Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote, preserve and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio Craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers.

Don't Need Winter To Enjoy This Boulevard Beer

Snow and Tell from Boulevard Brewing Company is an Oak Aged Scotch Ale that is a seasonal release and a beer I picked up and reviewed a while back. The beer carries an ABV if 6.3% and an IBU level of 25, making it attractive to those that may not like bittering. I did find this beer to be pretty smooth and one that did go down easy, characteristics for me of the brew included a nice caramel and toffee type feel, a nice sweetness from the malts, and an overall nice smoothness. There was some of the oak that came through in the taste, although the overall aromatics of the beer were somewhat low. Nonetheless, the beer proved to be decent enough and worth the try. Check out the video to see and hear more of my thoughts on this one, and if you have had it before then leave a comment letting me know what you thought of it.

This Southern Tier Beer Puts Xmas In The Bottle

The 2XMAS Ale from Southern Tier Brewing is a beer that I looked at a while back but never posted the review of it. Therefore, here is a look at this ale that looks to place winter in the bottle. A winter warmer that at 8% ABV and 40 IBU, brings a decent amount of spice along with some dark fruit notes and a taste of orange. A good malty profile also makes this one a nice play. Check out the video to see and hear more of my thoughts on this one and if you have had it before then leave a comment to let me know what you thought of this ale.