Homebrew Beer one of many competitions for Oregonians to show skills
Fun Fair Fact The Homebrew Beer C Competition is sponsored by Gilgamesh Brewing in Salem. The 29 categories include beer, mead, me cider, perry and soft drinks. Award-winning brews will be on display in the Floral Building throughout Fair week.
BY DIANE HUBER
I
n his Jefferson garage, David Swisher proudly displays more than 200 ribbons and medals — all earned for prize-winning homebrewed beer. The display provides a colorful and orderly backdrop to the shiny industrial kitchen he designed for his hobby. Many of his ribbons are from the Oregon State Fair Homebrew Beer Competition, including a 2011 “Best of Show” award. David, a retired mail carrier, still recalls his first award in 1996 for an imperial stoutstyle beer that judges jokingly dubbed “high-powered rocket fuel” due to its high alcohol content and “hot” flavor. “I was on top of the world,” he said. “It really got me involved, and the passion grew.” He went on to compete in 10 Fairs, winning awards in 28 of 29 categories that included ales, pilsners, lagers and meads. David said he enjoys the home-brewing competition because it gives him the opportunity to meet other brewers and learn techniques to improve his craft from some of the region’s most prestigious judges. 12 | 2013 OREGON STATE FAIR
“You’re competing with some of the best brewers in the United States,” he said. “That gives you the opportunity not only for bragging rights but also to learn. It’s a lot of fun and a lot of excitement.” Homebrew Beer Competition Manager Jeff Trejo said brewing beer is more complicated than it may seem. “Brewing is a science,” he said. Behind every bottle of brew is creativity, dedication, passion and pride. “Homebrewing is the ultimate form of consumable art,” Jeff said. “There are various levels of flavors and complexities that make up a homebrew, all of which take advantage of the agricultural bounties within the Pacific Northwest.” What is David’s secret to brewing an award-winning beer? Using fresh ingredients and a good recipe as well as learning from past mistakes, he said. “After competing time and time again, you finally find through critiques what the judges look for in the categories of aroma, appearance, taste, mouth feel and overall impression,” he said. “The best beer is the one that you like the most. That’s what it’s been for me.”
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The “Best of Show” judging for home-brewed beer will be presented at
12:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, during the Classic Cars, Blues, Brews & BBQ festival that’s set for opening weekend. The festival will feature local blues artist Ty Curtis and Portland-based musician Curtis Salgado. For more information on Fair Festivals, visit the Oregon State Fair website at OregonStateFair.org and click Attractions.