I spent Saturday morning during the Great American Beer Festival awards ceremony seated next to Jonathan Moxey, head brewer at Rockwell Brewing in St. Louis. One of us would comment occasionally when a winner was announced.
“I taught him to homebrew,” Moxey said at one point.
I scribbled a few notes. After Boston Beer won gold for Just The Haze in the non-alcohol beer category, I reminded myself to see when the company last won a medal. It was 2014. (They won a second medal Saturday, in experimental IPA).
And so we came to category 83, Belgian-style witbier. You might remember that in May heads were turned when the judges at the World Beer Cup chose not to award gold or silver in this category, instead giving only a bronze, to Allagash White.
Saturday the judges gave three medals in the category, and gold to Allagash White (its eight GABF medal).
“Balance has been restored,” said Moxey.
That was the second most quotable line of the weekend. My top choice was simply overheard. “The good news is more women are getting into beer. The bad news is there is a line at the women’s room.”
[Note, a Monday morning edit] Festival recaps are just staring to get posted. The ROI of the Great American Beer Festival is a thoughtful one.
And a few more links . . .
Breaking news: Bell’s makes Hopslam a holiday beer.
For your viewing pleasure: Beer zines.
Science: Scientists Just Figured Out a Way to Make Beer Taste Even Better.
More science: LANL pair want to tap into science for better beer.