Dow Scoggins

Cider Summit Seattle Toasts 15 Years of Bubbles, Bites, and Big Crowds in South Lake Union

August 17, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

Mark your calendars, cider lovers — Cider Summit Seattle is turning 15, and the Emerald City’s favorite fizzy celebration is bringing its biggest party yet to the Lawn at Discovery Center. On September 11 and 12, 2026, more than 40 cidermakers will pour upwards of 125 different ciders, meads, cider cocktails, and fruit spirits for a weekend that’s part tasting room, part block party, and part love letter to Pacific Northwest craft beverage culture. Since its founding, Cider Summit has grown into the region’s signature cider event, and this year’s milestone anniversary comes loaded with extras: a hosted four-course cider-and-cupcake pairing, a dog-friendly lounge, a fruit cider showdown decided by festival-goers themselves, and enough Seattle food-truck fare to fuel a full day of sipping. Whether you’re a cider die-hard or just cider-curious, this is the kind of event where you show up for the drinks and stay for the discovery.

Details worth raising a glass to:

Friday, September 11: 3–8 p.m. (VIP entry starts at 2 p.m.)
Saturday, September 12: Noon–5 p.m., plus an 11 a.m. cider-and-cupcake pairing session
Where: The Lawn at Discovery Center, 101 Westlake Ave. N, South Lake Union
Tickets: VIP from $45, General Admission from $35 (prices rise closer to the event and at the gate)
Bonus: Designated driver tickets available at the gate for $10–$11, complimentary water included
21+ event — no minors allowed

Beyond the pours, festivalgoers can wander the Heritage Cider Pavilion for small-batch, farm-based ciders, vote in the Oregon Fruit Co. Fruit Cider Challenge, browse festival merch at the event store, and let their pups relax at the Dog Lounge, hosted by Seattle Humane Society. Proceeds from the weekend help support the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research, Seattle Humane Society, and the NW Cider Association — so every sip does a little good, too.

History of Cider Summit
Long before “craft cider” was a household phrase, Cider Summit founder Alan Shapiro was cutting his teeth in the beverage world as one of the earliest sales reps for Pete’s Brewing Company, the outfit behind Pete’s Wicked Ale — one of America’s original craft beer brands. Those years forged a relationship with industry friend Mark Browner, who Shapiro credits with planting the seed for today’s Cider Summit. Cider itself entered the picture in 2003, when Shapiro founded SBS Imports and secured U.S. rights to import Aspall Cyder from Suffolk, England. A visit to the historic cidery left a lasting impression, sparking his mission to build American craft cider into a category as vibrant as craft beer. After a couple years of planning, Shapiro partnered with the team behind Seattle Beer Week, and the very first Cider Summit launched in Seattle in September 2010 — an instant hit that quickly expanded to Portland, Chicago, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Fifteen years later, Shapiro is still at the helm, still introducing new producers to curious drinkers, and still proving cider deserves just as much spotlight as beer or wine.

Address: 101 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Website: https://cidersummitseattle.com

Celebrating National S’mores Day with Short’s Brewing S’more Stout

August 10, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

There’s no wrong way to celebrate National S’mores Day, but there might be a best way — and it involves a beer that was built to taste like the treat itself. Short’s Brewing Company out of Bellaire, Michigan, has been perfecting its S’more Stout since 2008, brewing it with graham cracker, chocolate, marshmallow, and smoked malt so that every sip hits the same notes as the real thing: sweet marshmallow cream, milk chocolate, and a lingering whisper of campfire smoke. Legend has it the beer was a joint effort between Short’s founders, and nobody can quite agree who gets the credit — but everyone agrees it’s one of the brewery’s most beloved stouts.

So here’s the move for August 10th: build a proper s’more — toasted marshmallow, a square of milk chocolate, two graham crackers, the works — and pour a S’more Stout right alongside it. If you really want to do it right, do what Short’s does at the pub and top your glass with a marshmallow set on fire with a match. It sounds like a party trick, but that flash of caramelized sugar and smoke is exactly what makes the beer sing. Between the actual dessert and the beer that mimics it, you get a double dose of campfire nostalgia without needing to build an actual fire.

What makes this stout a legend in the s’mores-beer category isn’t just the flavor — it’s the origin story. Short’s first attempted the recipe back in 2008, and it was one of the most challenging beers they’d ever brewed — tracking down five-gallon buckets of marshmallow fluff and 20-pound bars of milk chocolate isn’t exactly standard brewery shopping. A year later they dialed in the smoked malt for that extra campfire kick, and a beer that started as a pub inside joke turned into one of Short’s most popular stouts ever made. Drink it fireside in the fall, or just close your eyes and pretend — either way, don’t skip the flaming marshmallow. Short’s really means it.

Address: 121 N. Bridge St, Bellaire, MI 49615
Website: https://www.shortsbrewing.com/beers/smore-stout/

Terrapin Beer Co. Will Stop Production in Athens, Georgia; Taproom to Remain Open

August 10, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

Big news out of the Classic City: Terrapin Beer Co. will stop brewing at its longtime Newton Bridge Road facility in Athens, Georgia, effective September 25, 2026. The move comes from parent company Tilray Brands, which is rolling out a sweeping corporate restructuring plan disclosed in its annual report filed July 28. The good news for Athens beer lovers: the taproom, beer garden, warehouse, and repack operations will all keep running as usual — so you can still grab a pint where it all started, even though the beer itself will be brewed somewhere else in the Tilray network going forward.

The shutdown is part of what Tilray is calling Project 420, a business optimization plan aimed at consolidating brewing capacity and streamlining operations, with Redhook, Atwater, Hop Valley, and Revolver also swept into the same consolidation push. The closures are intended to consolidate production, streamline operations and improve the company’s cost structure, according to the filing, and the filing does not indicate the Terrapin brand itself is being discontinued — just the on-site Athens brewing.

A Look Back at Terrapin’s History
Terrapin’s story is a classic Athens craft beer tale. The brewery was founded in 2002 by Brian “Spike” Buckowski and John Cochran, and the pair debuted their first beer at the Classic City Brew Fest in April 2002. That first beer, Rye Pale Ale, made an immediate splash — just six months after debuting locally, it brought home the Gold medal in the American Pale Ale category at the Great American Beer Festival, even though it was only being sold in Athens at the time.

The brewery grew quickly from there. In 2006, Terrapin secured an $800,000 investment from a pool of Athens investors, which let them buy brewing equipment and lease a small production facility in town. By 2008, they’d outgrown that space and moved into the larger 45,000-square-foot facility at 265 Newton Bridge Road, capable of producing up to 18,500 barrels a year — the very building now stepping back from full-scale production. Over the years, that facility became a true Athens institution, drawing an average of 30,000 visitors annually for tastings and tours.

Ownership shifted over time too: Molson Coors announced a majority stake in Terrapin in July 2016, ending its run as an independent craft brewery, and more recently Tilray Beverages acquired the brand in September 2024, followed by a rebrand in February 2025.

Through it all, the Newton Bridge Road taproom has remained the heartbeat of the brand — a gathering spot known for its indoor taproom, sprawling outdoor beer garden, seasonal releases, live music, and pet-friendly events that built a devoted following well beyond Athens. And that heartbeat keeps going. While the brewing kettles on-site will go quiet next month, the taproom stays open, the beer garden stays lively, and Terrapin beer will still flow freely to fans across the Southeast. For a brand built on innovation and reinvention since day one, this next chapter looks less like an ending and more like Terrapin doubling down on what made it special in the first place — the community, the experience, and that unmistakable Athens spirit. Here’s to many more pints on Newton Bridge Road.

Address: 265 Newton Bridge Rd, Athens, GA 30607
Website: https://www.terrapinbeer.com/

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Indian Creek Tavern Reopens in Reily, Ohio — Bringing Back a Legendary Music Venue’s Storied Past

August 7, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

After four long years of silence, the music is playing again at one of Butler County’s most beloved gathering spots. The Indian Creek Tavern in Reily Township officially threw open its doors on July 27, 2026, marking the return of a restaurant and amphitheater that has been a cornerstone of local nightlife — and a surprising stop for national touring acts — for nearly two decades.

From Farmers’ Pit Stop to Neighborhood Landmark
The building at 6206 Main St. has been serving travelers and locals since long before “Indian Creek Tavern” was ever painted on a sign. Dating back to the 1800s, the structure originally operated as the Spring Hill Tavern, believed to have been established around 1859. In its earliest days, it served a far more practical purpose than live music — it was a waypoint for farmers hauling goods to trade in Cincinnati, with the barkeeper living upstairs above the bar.

The Spring Hill name stuck for well over a century until three local residents purchased the property in January 2006, when it sat on the verge of closing for good. They renovated the space, and by 2007 it reopened under a new name: the Indian Creek Tavern.

The tavern isn’t the only slice of 19th-century bar history in the immediate area, either. Just a few miles away in Darrtown sits the Hitching Post, founded in 1817 and widely recognized as the oldest continuously operating bar in Ohio. Between the two of them, this stretch of Butler County holds onto a rare concentration of historic tavern life — country roads dotted with buildings that have been pouring drinks since long before Ohio’s small towns looked anything like they do today.

Building the Amphitheater
The tavern’s transformation into a true entertainment destination came in 2010, when then-owners Doug Lyon and Brian Campbell cleared the wooded area behind the building to construct an amphitheater with a proper stage. The very first show under the new setup brought in outlaw country legend David Allan Coe, backed by two local bands, drawing an estimated 900 people to what had, until then, been a quiet corner of Reily Township.
That first big night set the tone for what came next. Word spread, and the amphitheater quickly built a reputation for landing acts far bigger than a small-town Ohio venue usually sees.

The Big Names Who Played Reily
Over the years, the Indian Creek Tavern amphitheater welcomed a lineup that would surprise anyone unfamiliar with the venue’s pull. Country star Travis Tritt performed at the tavern during Campbell’s ownership — a show remembered so fondly that the steps leading up beside the property were built specifically to accommodate him. Classic rock guitarist Ted Nugent also brought his high-energy show to the Reily stage, part of a run of national acts that also included rock band Three Days Grace and former Poison frontman Bret Michaels. Local favorites like Thunder Bay and the band Red Ice — recalled by co-owner Brannon Osterberger as a group his own father played in — also packed the grounds over the years, giving the venue deep roots in the community even between the marquee shows.

The Closure and the Comeback
The music stopped in 2021, when the tavern closed its doors following the death of its most recent owner that September. For four years, the building sat quiet — a fact that stuck with Bryon Spencer, who moved to Oxford and kept noticing the shuttered property. He mentioned it to his coworker, Osterberger, who had grown up nearby in Darrtown and had his own history with the place, having watched bands play there “hundreds of times.” When the property finally came up for sale, the two decided to take the leap, purchasing it in October 2025 and keeping the beloved Indian Creek Tavern name intact.
Much of the existing equipment was already in solid shape, but the pair spent months on repairs, cleaning, and upgrades before welcoming the public back. A soft opening on July 26 was meant for 100 to 200 invited guests — instead, 250 to 300 people showed up. The grand reopening followed the next day, with doors opening at 11 a.m. and every table, bar stool, and inch of standing room full by evening. The kitchen reportedly ran out of several menu items as orders poured in.

Longtime regulars like Jason Buttery, who once worked the tavern as a bouncer and bartender, came back just to see if it still felt the same — and found familiar faces, including former bartenders, right back behind the bar.

What’s Next for Indian Creek Tavern
With the restaurant fully staffed and the restored amphitheater ready for action, Osterberger says they’ll likely need to bring on even more help as concerts and outdoor events get booked. For a venue with a history of pulling in acts like Ted Nugent and Travis Tritt, the bar for what comes next in Reily Township is already set high — and after four years of silence, the community sounds ready for it.
Address: 6206 Main St, Reily Township, OH 45056
Website: https://indiancreektavern.net

The Great Beer Float Rivalry: How a Few Too Many Beers Became a World Record

August 6, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

It all began with an idea that, by their own admission, may have been born after “one too many beers.” Kelly Montgomery, head brewer and co-owner of Third Eye Brewing in Hamilton, Ohio, and Dow Scoggins, founder of the U.S. Open Beer Championship, had always wanted to hold a world record. So in February 2024, to celebrate National Stout Month, they decided to stop talking about it and start scooping. Using 9 liters — 27 twelve-ounce cans — of Third Eye’s Higher Purpose Milk Stout and 36 scoops of Graeter’s vanilla ice cream, the pair built what they declared the World’s Largest Beer Float. The attempt wasn’t yet a certified Guinness title, but the documentation went in, and Hamilton, Ohio quietly staked its claim to frozen-and-fermented history.

The record didn’t last long. That June, a Texas brewery caught wind of the Ohio upstart and decided the Lone Star State needed the title back home. Lakewood Brewing Co. in Garland, Texas, went bigger, combining 50 scoops of Andy’s Frozen Custard with 50 pints — a full keg — of Temptress, their top-selling craft milk stout in Texas. Crowds gathered at the taproom to watch, with a kid-friendly version made with root beer on hand for anyone not yet 21.

It’s the kind of rivalry that could only exist in craft beer: two breweries, a thousand miles apart, one-upping each other with stout and ice cream instead of trophies. And somewhere in Hamilton, Ohio, the guy who started it all isn’t done yet — word is a new attempt to reclaim the title is already in the works, with details expected in the next month or two. Stay tuned.

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Wild Heart Brewing Takes Home Top Honors at U.S. Open Beer Championship

July 31, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

Hartsville, South Carolina isn’t exactly a beer mecca — but Wild Heart Brewing Company just put it on the map. The brewery walked away from the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship with four medals and the title of Brewery of the Year in the 501-to-1,000-barrel division, beating out hundreds of competitors.

U.S. Open Beer Championship founder Dow Scoggins drove in from Ohio to hand-deliver the trophy and medals to head brewer Zach Riner and assistant brewer Jerry Rivers at a small ceremony in town. For a brewery that only started entering the competition three years ago, the results were a pleasant shock. Wild Heart submitted five beers and four medaled — a hit rate most breweries would kill for.

The standout was Convergence, a New England-style hazy DIPA that took gold and has already sold out. The brewery also shared a gold medal with Boulevard Brewing Company for Wild Culture Brett Beer Slow Bloom — of which only a limited supply remains before it’s gone for good. Rounding out the haul: silver for the West Coast-style pilsner Hop Atlas, and another silver for Weight of Sound, a collaboration brew made with Southern Hops Brewing Company and Riverbend Malt House.

For co-founders behind Wild Heart, which opened its doors on Railroad Ave. in downtown Hartsville in 2021, the win means more than trophy shelf space. The brewery was built to give locals a reason to be proud of their town — and to give visitors a reason to stop in. A national medal haul does exactly that.

South Carolina had a big showing overall, with nine breweries across the state combining for 17 medals — six gold, six silver, four bronze, and Wild Heart’s Brewery of the Year title.

About the U.S. Open Beer Championship
Founded in 2009 by Dow Scoggins, Jon Downing, and Rick Roberts — former owners and brewers of Friends Brewing, Georgia’s first craft brewery — the U.S. Open Beer Championship has grown into the third-largest beer competition in the country. Since 2023, the U.S. Open has been lead by director, Spencer Mapes, and held annually in Oxford, Ohio, the competition draws entries from professional breweries and award-winning homebrewers alike, judged across more than 170 style categories. Each year, five Brewery of the Year titles are awarded across production tiers, ranging from tiny operations under 251 barrels to giants producing more than 15,000. Beyond the trophies and medals, the competition has become known for “The Barn” — a converted 5,000-square-foot Amish agricultural building that houses coolers, a nano brewery, and even a six-hole putt-putt course built for children with special needs — along with the annual ALS Beer Bucket Challenge, reflecting the event’s roots as a community as much as a competition.

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2026 National Homebrew Competition Medal Winners and HomeBrewers of the Year

July 27, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

Every summer, thousands of amateur brewers ship their best batches across the country hoping to hear their name called at homebrewing’s biggest stage — and 2026 was no exception. The American Homebrewers Association’s National Homebrew Competition, now in its 48th year, drew 3,575 entries from 1,054 AHA members across 46 states, Washington, D.C., and 7 countries, with 120 medals awarded across 40 categories at the awards ceremony in Asheville, North Carolina. Topping it all was San Diego’s Ben Frymark of homebrew club QUAFF, named 2026 Homebrewer of the Year after his American barleywine was crowned Best of Show out of every beer in the competition — proof that a garage setup and a great recipe can still beat the pros at their own game.

2026 National Homebrew Competition — Final Round Winners

Category 1: Pale American Beer
GOLD: Jeff Zwetsch (with Don Frakes) – Anaheim, CA – Ace Brewing Society
SILVER: Rodney Kibzey – Portland, OR – Oregon Brew Crew
BRONZE: Pete Graham – Fishers, IN – Foam Blowers of Indiana, Inc (FBI)

Category 2: Pale European Beer
GOLD: Steven Severn – Santa Ana, CA – Orange County Mash Ups
SILVER: Ron Barnes (with Jeremy Rott) – Basehor, KS – Kansas City Bier Meisters
BRONZE: Juan Pablo Salcedo – San Ysidro, CA – Tijuana Homebrew Club

Category 3: Pale Lager
GOLD: Tom Zacher – Murrysville, PA – Three Rivers Underground Brewers (TRUB)
SILVER: Ian Campbell – Portland, OR – Portland Brewers Collective
BRONZE: Rob Hardisty – Fort Collins, CO – Liquid Poets

Category 4: German Pilsner
GOLD: Russell Berger – Portland, OR – Portland Brewers Collective
SILVER: Mark Hughey – Gainesville, VA
BRONZE: Larry Bentley – North Plainfield, NJ – Garden State Homebrewers (GSHomebrewers)

Category 5: Pale Malty European Beer
GOLD: Chuck Beckman – Gilbert, AZ – Arizona Society of Homebrewers
SILVER: Lee Birkett – West Dundee, IL – Midnight Carboys
BRONZE: Bob Teich – Clear Lake, MN – River City Brewers

Category 6: Amber European Beer
GOLD: David Towles – Amarillo, TX – High Plains Drafters [TX]
SILVER: Kevin Worthen – San Antonio, TX – Bexar Brewers
BRONZE: Steve Ristau – Black Hawk, SD – Ale Riders Homebrew Club

Category 7: Dark European Lager
GOLD: David Towles – Amarillo, TX – High Plains Drafters [TX]
SILVER: Beth Migalla – Highland Park, IL – North Urban Brewing Society (NUBS)
BRONZE: Chris Kaebisch – Edgerton, WI

Category 8: American Wheat & Blonde
GOLD: Adam Wyss – Alamo, CA – Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)
SILVER: Alex Owen – Stamford, CT
BRONZE: Alex Mullen – San Diego, CA

Category 9: German Wheat & Rye Beer
GOLD: Chuck Redpath – Downers Grove, IL
SILVER: Eric Boyle – Berkley, MI – Royal Oak Area Homebrew Club
BRONZE: Wuilmer Venegas – Toronto, ON – GTA Brews Homebrew Club

Category 10: Pale British Ale
GOLD: Tim Lambert – Albuquerque, NM – Dukes Of Ale
SILVER: Jamye & Cody Naramore – Quenemo, KS – Kansas City Bier Meisters
BRONZE: Michael Johnson – Salt Lake City, UT

Category 11: Scottish & Irish Ale
GOLD: Greg Winterburn – Rockaway, NJ
SILVER: Stephen P Polczynski – Moore, OK – Red Earth Brewers
BRONZE: David Carruthers – Puyallup, WA – Puyallup Brew Crew

Category 12: American Pale Ale
GOLD: Jamye & Cody Naramore – Quenemo, KS – Kansas City Bier Meisters
SILVER: Tom Leonard (with Ross Stuart) – Chandler, AZ – Arizona Society of Homebrewers
BRONZE: Taylor Shastid – Walnut Creek, CA – Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)

Category 13: Amber & Brown American Ale
GOLD: Craig Martin – Louisville, KY – Louisville Area Grain and Extract Research Society (LAGERS)
SILVER: Jeffry Battles (with Bob Cook) – Lemon Grove, CA – QUAFF
BRONZE: Larry Reuter (with Donna) – Akron, OH – Society of Akron Area Zymurgists (SAAZ)

Category 14: Brown British Beer
GOLD: Sebastian Seith – Hinsdale, IL – Brixie’s Brewers
SILVER: John Luhmann – West Des Moines, IA – Kansas City Bier Meisters
BRONZE: Jeff Ong – Portland, OR – Portland Brewers Collective

Category 15: Irish & British Stout
GOLD: Preston Booth – Easley, SC – South Carolina Upstate Homebrewers Anonymous
SILVER: Steven Jones – Fort Collins, CO – Liquid Poets
BRONZE: Peter Daniels – Columbus, OH – SODZ

Category 16: American Porter & Stout
GOLD: Trevor McGuire – Concord, CA – Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)
SILVER: Chris Johnson – Maplewood, NJ – Morris Area Society of Homebrewers
BRONZE: Taylor Shastid – Walnut Creek, CA – Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)

Category 17: American IPA
GOLD: Weston Wright – Thornton, CO – Indian Peaks Alers
SILVER: Russell Berger – Portland, OR – Portland Brewers Collective
BRONZE: Metts Potter – Morrow, OH – Bloatarian Brewing League

Category 18: Specialty IPA
GOLD: Jarrett Long (with Amanda Long) – Arlington, TX – Horsemen of the Hopocalypse
SILVER: Steven Severn – Santa Ana, CA – Orange County Mash Ups
BRONZE: Mark Pennick – Denver, CO – The Brew Crew

Category 19: Hazy IPA
GOLD: David James – Eugene, OR – Cascade Brewers Society
SILVER: Tom Fontes – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Homebrewers
BRONZE: Colby Reineke – Minnesota, MN – Minnesota Home Brewers Association

Category 20: Strong American Ale
GOLD: Benjamin Frymark – San Diego, CA – QUAFF
SILVER: Eli Palma – San Diego, CA – QUAFF
BRONZE: Jeremy Gramkow (with Nicole Thompson) – Boise, ID – Snake River Brewers

Category 21: Strong European Lager
GOLD: Alex Rezmerski – Louisville, KY – Louisville Area Grain and Extract Research Society (LAGERS)
SILVER: Karl Wayne King – Colleyville, TX – Cap and Hare Homebrew Club
BRONZE: Brady Smith – Westfield, IN – Foam Blowers of Indiana, Inc (FBI)

Category 22: Strong British Ale
GOLD: Tony Hamric – Leland, NC – Wort City Brewers
SILVER: Mark Unick – Wentzville, MO – St Charles County Society of Brewers
BRONZE: Andy Cox – Wilton, CT – Underground Brewers of Connecticut

Category 23: Imperial Porter & Stout
GOLD: Joe Formanek – Bolingbrook, IL – Urban Knaves of Grain
SILVER: Gerad Miller – Dayton, OH – Dayton Regional Amateur Fermentation Technologists
BRONZE: David Zwach – Manassas, VA – Downright Obsessed Homebrewers (DOH)

Category 24: Saison
GOLD: Mark Pennick – Denver, CO – The Brew Crew
SILVER: Magnus Vasilis – Gothenburg, Sweden – Hembryggning Halleluja!
BRONZE: Bradford Berger – Pioneertown, CA – Mojave Desert Brewers Guild

Category 25: Belgian Ale
GOLD: James Allen (with Steve Speth and Heather McCullough) – Highlands Ranch, CO – Rock Hoppers Brew Club
SILVER: Michael Johnson – Salt Lake City, UT
BRONZE: Pete Graham – Fishers, IN – Foam Blowers of Indiana, Inc (FBI)

Category 26: Strong Belgian Ale
GOLD: Nicholas B Griner – Ayer, MA – Merrimack Valley Homebrew Club
SILVER: Kevin Kiernan – Washington, DC – DC Homebrewers
BRONZE: Guillermo Velasco (with Antonio Aguirre) – Tijuana, BC – Tijuana Homebrew Club

Category 27: European Sour Ale
GOLD: Dan Acheson – Winfield, IL – Urban Knaves of Grain
SILVER: Kris Gould – Hamilton Township, NJ – ALEiens Homebrew Club
BRONZE: Ian Campbell – Portland, OR – Portland Brewers Collective

Category 28: Fruit Beer
GOLD: Josh Willard – Ocala, FL – Brick City Brewers
SILVER: Andy Scherzinger (with Fernando Puga) – Berthoud, CO – Weizguys Homebrew Club
BRONZE: Eric Boyle – Berkley, MI – Royal Oak Area Homebrew Club

Category 29: Spice, Herb & Vegetable Beer
GOLD: Steve Powell – Sioux Falls, SD – Big Sioux Brewing Society
SILVER: Andres Teene – Fort Collins, CO – Liquid Poets
BRONZE: Art Kim – Highland, IN – Illiana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)

Category 30: Specialty & Seasonal Spiced Beer
GOLD: Douglas Mandic – Denver, CO – Aurora City Brew Club
SILVER: Eli Palma – San Diego, CA – QUAFF
BRONZE: Steven Jones – Fort Collins, CO – Liquid Poets

Category 31: Smoke-Flavored Beer
GOLD: Russell Berger – Portland, OR – Portland Brewers Collective
SILVER: Barry Forrest – Dallas, TX – Horsemen of the Hopocalypse
BRONZE: Matthew Johnsen – Castle Rock, CO – Rock Hoppers Brew Club

Category 32: Wood-Aged Beer
GOLD: Wesley Kulcak (with Megan Kulcak) – El Campo, TX – Bay Area Mashtronauts
SILVER: Doug Brown – San Diego, CA – QUAFF
BRONZE: Robbie Proctor – Pleasant Hill, CA – Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)

Category 33: American Wild Ale
GOLD: Paul Pitre – Eunice, LA – Redstick Brewmasters
SILVER: Shaun Huggins – Universal City, TX – San Antonio Cerveceros
BRONZE: Kyle Hufford – Santa Barbara, CA

Category 34: Specialty Beer
GOLD: Kenneth Troy Traynham (with Sue Traynham) – Spring Hill, FL – Pour Decisions Home Brew Club
SILVER: Dan Acheson – Winfield, IL – Urban Knaves of Grain
BRONZE: Ben Jankowski – Oyster Bay, NY

Category 35: Traditional Mead
GOLD: Kevin Wagner – Stilwell, KS – Kansas City Bier Meisters
SILVER: Shane Kammerer (with Susan Kammerer) – Shawnee, KS – Kansas City Bier Meisters
BRONZE: Dan Acheson – Winfield, IL – Urban Knaves of Grain

Category 36: Fruit Mead
GOLD: Allen Martin – Gilbert, AZ – Arizona Society of Homebrewers
SILVER: Kyle Ducharme – Saint Albans, VT – Green Mountain Mashers
BRONZE: Dan Acheson – Winfield, IL – Urban Knaves of Grain

Category 37: Spice Mead
GOLD: Dan Acheson – Winfield, IL – Urban Knaves of Grain
SILVER: Austin Brown – Sterling Heights, MI – Brewers Anonymous
BRONZE: Kyle Ducharme – Saint Albans, VT – Green Mountain Mashers

Category 38: Specialty Mead
GOLD: Kyle Ducharme – Saint Albans, VT – Green Mountain Mashers
SILVER: Kyle Ducharme – Saint Albans, VT – Green Mountain Mashers
BRONZE: Jarrett Long (with Amanda Long) – Arlington, TX – Horsemen of the Hopocalypse

Category 39: Traditional Cider & Perry
GOLD: Jeffrey Carlson – Grand Rapids, MI – PrimeTime Brewers
SILVER: Doug Brown – San Diego, CA – QUAFF
BRONZE: Kristyn Minkoff – Gainesville, FL – Hogtown Brewers

Category 40: Strong & Specialty Cider & Perry
GOLD: Nelson Crowle – Foxfield, CO – Indian Peaks Alers
SILVER: Mark Kunzelmann – St Louis, MO – St. Louis Brews
BRONZE: James Werner – New Berlin, WI – Beer Barons of Milwaukee

Overall AHA Awards
Samuel Adams Ninkasi Award
Dan Acheson – Winfield, IL – Urban Knaves of Grain

Gambrinus Club Award
Portland Brewers Collective – Portland, OR

Homebrew Club of the Year Award
Kansas City Bier Meisters – Kansas City, MO

Homebrewer of the Year
Benjamin Frymark – San Diego, CA – QUAFF

Meadmaker of the Year
Kyle Ducharme – Saint Albans, VT – Green Mountain Mashers

Cidermaker of the Year
Jeffrey Carlson – Grand Rapids, MI – Prime Time Brewers

More about the American Homebrew Association and the U.S. Open Beer Championship
The American Homebrewers Association (AHA), founded in 1978 by Charlie Papazian, has grown into the leading membership organization for homebrewers across the United States, with tens of thousands of members supporting its mission to promote and advance the art and hobby of homebrewing. A division of the Brewers Association, the AHA hosts the National Homebrew Competition, the world’s largest beer competition judged exclusively by style, and its annual Homebrew Con event draws thousands of hobbyist and craft brewers together each year for education, camaraderie, and the exchange of ideas that have shaped the American craft beer movement. That same spirit of homebrewer excellence has long found a home at the U.S. Open Beer Championship, where amateur and professional brewers compete side by side and homebrewers frequently medal against commercial breweries with decades of production experience. Over its 18-year history, the U.S. Open has celebrated countless homebrewers who got their start through AHA-affiliated clubs and competitions, underscoring the vital role the AHA plays in developing the next generation of talent in American brewing.

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From the Garage to the Podium: A History of Homebrewers Who Medaled at the U.S. Open Beer Championship

July 23, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

From the Garage to the Podium: A History of Homebrewers Who Medaled at the U.S. Open Beer Championship

Every year since 2009, thousands of beers from professional breweries around the world pour into the U.S. Open Beer Championship for blind judging. But there’s a twist that sets the U.S. Open apart from nearly every other major beer competition: it’s the only major championship that invites gold-medal-winning homebrewers from the American Homebrewers Association’s National Homebrew Competition to enter their beers against the pros — same categories, same blind judging, no special treatment.

Since the competition’s founding in 2009, dozens of homebrewers have taken that invitation and walked away with medals, occasionally even gold, standing shoulder to shoulder with breweries that have full-time brewers, commercial equipment, and years of production experience. Here’s a look back at every homebrewer who’s medaled at the U.S. Open over the years.

The Full Medal Roll

2009

Gold, Strong Scottish Ale — Phil Ferrall (Cumming, GA), The Next to Last King of Scotland
Bronze, Specialty/Anything Goes — Kevin Cosentino, Kevin’s Wild Ale

2010

Bronze, ESB — Jimmy Vervaecke, Pub Ale
Bronze, English Brown Ale — Jake Ocque & Tom Ocque, Mutter 5

2011

Silver, English Pale Ale — Matt Tucker & Jake Tucker (Oviedo, FL), Pale Ale
Bronze, Rye/Roggen — Stacy Myers, Horseman of the Hopocalypse
Bronze, French/Belgian Ale — Phil Sullivan, Sully’s Belgian Blonde

2012

Gold, Barley Wine — Michael Habrat, Chris Bartik, Brett Goldstock & Suzy Pessutti (San Diego, CA), Nevral Rust
Silver, German Alt — Kent Shultz, Alt
Bronze, ESB — David Motter, Crown Jewels ESB

2013

Silver, German Lager/Pilsener — Gautam Bagchi (Ohio), Barky Pilsner
Bronze, American IPA — Kelsey McNair, Hop-Fu! IPA
Bronze, German Alt — Mark Girard, Ctrl+Alt+Delete
Bronze, Herb and Spice Beer — Andrew Mitchell, Hibiscus Saison

2014

Silver, Altbier — Jeffrey Jantz (Albuquerque, NM), Rauch Katze
Bronze, Schwarzbier — Jeff Lewis (Hilliard, OH), Brandy’s Black Lab Lager

2015

Silver, German Wheat — Scott Hixson (Mississippi), YYY’s Man Says
Bronze, Marzen/Oktoberfest — Nick Rodammer (Michigan), Rodtoberfest
Bronze, Spice Cider — Jeff Carlson (Michigan), Westside Sweet Heat

2016

No homebrewer medalists recorded.

2017

Silver, American Amber/California Common — Keith Eisel (North Carolina), Dream Steam
Bronze, American Light — Derrick Flippin (North Carolina), Pinky Restraint
Bronze, Vienna — Derrick Flippin (North Carolina), Thanks for the Decoction Pot

2018

Silver, Imperial IPA — Randy Sauter (South Dakota), Double IPA
Silver, American Stout — David Byer (North Carolina), Session RIS

2019

Bronze, English Barley Wine Ale — David Byer & John O’Brien (Hot Springs, NC), Don’t Swallow the Cap

2020

Bronze, Baltic-Style Porter — Justin McClenahan (Silver Spring, MD), Odin’s Beard

2021

No homebrewers competed — the AHA’s National Homebrew Competition was canceled that year due to COVID-19, leaving no gold-medal homebrews eligible to enter.

2022

Gold, American Wheat — Caleb Meinke (Cambridge, WI), Willow Run
Bronze, Heller Bock/Maibock — Jeff Klatt, Perfidious Bock

2023

Silver, French/Belgian Ale (Belgian Session Ale) — Joseph Belevender (Warren, MI), North Biere
Silver, Light Lager — Caleb Meinke (Cambridge, WI), Len’s Light Lager
Bronze, American Barley Wine — Alex Cigan (Brooklyn, NY), Contrived Spontaneity

2024

Gold, Brut IPA — Christopher Burgess (Castle Rock, CO), Like Falling Off a Bike
Gold, Strong Scottish Ale — Lucas Orr (San Diego, CA), Kilt Dropper
Bronze, Belgian Pale Ale — Mark Kunzelmann (St. Louis, MO), Belgian Pale Ale

2025

Gold, Historical Beer — LaVaughn Barker (Wisconsin), Sheba’s Nectar

2026

Gold, American Lager — Wayne Doucette (Big Lake, MN), Lynn’s Lager
Gold, English Barley Wine Ale — Joe Skiles (Carol Stream, IL), Calculating Infinity

A Few Standouts

Caleb Meinke of Cambridge, Wisconsin has quietly built one of the best track records of any homebrewer at the U.S. Open, medaling in three separate years — 2022, 2023 (twice, in different categories the same year), making him one of the most decorated homebrewers in the competition’s history.

David Byer of North Carolina also medaled multiple times, first solo in the American Stout category in 2018, then teaming up with fellow homebrewer John O’Brien for a bronze in English Barley Wine Ale the following year.

2024 stands out as a banner year for homebrewers, with two gold medals awarded to homebrewed beers — Christopher Burgess’s Brut IPA and Lucas Orr’s Strong Scottish Ale — tying the U.S. Open’s single-year record for homebrewer medals.

Why It Matters

The U.S. Open’s decision to let homebrewers compete against professional breweries isn’t just a nice gesture — it’s a genuine test. These aren’t novice recipes; every homebrewer on this list had already won gold at the AHA’s National Homebrew Competition, the most competitive amateur brewing contest in the country, before ever setting foot in the U.S. Open’s blind judging room. Standing toe-to-toe with commercial breweries and walking away with a medal is proof that great beer really can come from anywhere — including a five-gallon carboy in someone’s garage.

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The Visionary’s Journey: The Story of Alan Sprints, His Beers and His Enduring Legacy

July 20, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

In the misty, hop-scented streets of Portland, Oregon, where the Pacific Northwest’s craft beer revolution simmered like a perfectly conditioned barleywine, Alan Sprints emerged as one of its most uncompromising pioneers. Born on September 7, 1959, Alan was not destined for the corporate grind or the predictable paths of his generation. Instead, he found his calling in the alchemy of fermentation—a craft that blended science, art, and a rebellious spirit against the bland lagers dominating American shelves in the late 20th century.

Alan’s story began in the vibrant homebrewing scene of the 1980s and early ’90s. A dedicated member of Portland’s Oregon Brew Crew, he honed his skills under mentors like the legendary beer writer Fred Eckhardt. Those early experiments weren’t just about making drinkable beer; they were about pushing boundaries. Alan dreamed of beers with soul—strong, complex, and built to evolve with time, much like fine wines or aged spirits. He wasn’t content with sessionable pints alone; he wanted beers that demanded patience, reflection, and celebration.

In 1993, that vision materialized with the founding of Hair of the Dog Brewing Company in Portland. Named after the old remedy for a hangover (“the hair of the dog that bit you”), the brewery embodied Alan’s philosophy: bold, unapologetic, and restorative to the spirit of craft beer. Starting small in a modest space, Alan poured everything into creating ales that challenged conventions. He championed high-gravity brewing, barrel aging, and bottle conditioning at a time when these techniques were rare in the U.S. craft scene. His beers weren’t mass-produced for quick consumption; they were crafted as heirlooms, meant to be cellared, shared among friends, and savored as they matured.

Hair of the Dog quickly became a beacon for enthusiasts and brewers alike. Alan’s hands-on approach—meticulous attention to malt bills, yeast selection, and the subtle influences of oak barrels—produced releases that felt revolutionary. He collaborated generously, supported fellow pioneers, and remained humble even as his reputation grew. Through economic ups and downs, shifts in the industry, and the relentless demands of small-batch production, Alan stayed true to his roots: quality over quantity, authenticity over trends.

For beer fans, tasting a Hair of the Dog beer was a rite of passage. It connected them to a deeper appreciation of what beer could be—not just refreshment, but a narrative in every sip. Alan’s legacy wasn’t measured in barrels shipped or awards won (though there were plenty), but in the community he fostered: collectors dusting off vintage bottles, homebrewers inspired to go bigger and bolder, and a new generation of brewers who viewed strong ales and barrel programs as standard rather than experimental. Even as the brewery navigated challenges, including eventual closure, its influence rippled outward, shaping the modern craft landscape.

Alan Sprints passed away on July 19, 2026, following a difficult illness, but his spirit lives on in every bottle uncorked, every toast raised to innovation, and every brewer who dares to dream beyond the ordinary. He is survived by his loving family—his wife, children, and siblings—who shared in his passion and supported the dream. To his fans, he leaves not just memories, but a cellar full of liquid history.

Obituary: Alan Sprints (1959–2026)

Alan Sprints, visionary founder of Hair of the Dog Brewing Company and a titan of American craft beer, died on July 19, 2026, at the age of 66. He passed peacefully after a period of health challenges, surrounded by family.

A beloved husband, father, brother, and mentor, Alan was born in 1959 and discovered his lifelong calling in homebrewing during Portland’s burgeoning beer scene. Transitioning from enthusiast to professional, he founded Hair of the Dog in 1993, transforming it into one of the most revered and influential breweries in the world. His commitment to bold, high-gravity ales, barrel-aged masterpieces, and beers with exceptional aging potential helped redefine craft brewing in the United States.

Alan’s legendary beers became icons in the craft community:

Adam: A strong, historically inspired ale evoking old-world German traditions, known for its rich malt depth, complexity, and remarkable longevity in the cellar. It exemplified Alan’s mastery of balance in powerful packages.
Fred: A bold tribute to his mentor Fred Eckhardt, showcasing robust malt character, nuanced flavors, and the kind of depth that rewarded extended aging. It was a personal and professional highlight.
Doggie Claws: A seasonal powerhouse, often barleywine-style, celebrated for its intense hop and malt interplay and legendary cellaring potential—beers that evolved beautifully over years.
Dave: One of the rarest and most sought-after releases, a concentrated, intensely flavorful creation that pushed the limits of brewing science and artistry, becoming a holy grail for collectors.

Other standout releases carried the Hair of the Dog name into folklore, including various barrel-aged variants and experimental offerings that influenced trends in sour beers, strong ales, and wood-aged programs nationwide.

Beyond the brewhouse, Alan was known for his generosity, humility, and willingness to share knowledge. He inspired countless brewers, fostered collaborations, and cultivated a devoted fanbase of “Dog” enthusiasts who traded bottles, stories, and memories. His work elevated beer from everyday drink to cultural artifact.
Funeral services will be private, with a public celebration of life planned in Portland to honor his contributions to craft beer. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to organizations supporting craft brewing education or the family’s chosen charities.

Alan Sprints leaves an indelible mark on the industry he helped build. His beers will continue to be poured, cellared, and cherished by fans worldwide. As the craft beer community raises a glass, we say: Rest in peace, Alan. Your legacy is strong, complex, and beautifully aged.

To all his beer fans: Open a vintage Hair of the Dog tonight. Share a story. Toast the pioneer who showed us beer could be so much more. Cheers to Alan Sprints—may his spirit keep inspiring the next round.

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The U.S. Open Beer Championship: America’s Wildest, Weirdest, Most Delicious Beer Showdown

July 17, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

If the words “beer” and “championship” belong in the same sentence anywhere in America, it’s here. The U.S. Open Beer Championship isn’t just another medal ceremony with a folding table and a box of ribbons — it’s the third-largest beer competition in the country, judging beer across more than 180 categories and subcategories, with entries pouring in from breweries as far-flung as Alaskan Brewing in Juneau and Damm Brewing all the way from Barcelona, Spain.

Started in 2009, the competition was founded by the former owners, brewers, and directors of Friends Brewing, including Dow Scoggins, Jon Downing, and Rick Roberts, and has spent nearly two decades growing into one of the most respected — and most delightfully chaotic — beer judgings in the world. Over 140 (now 180+) styles get judged every year, medals are shaped like little beer steins, and the whole thing wraps up every July with a Grand National Champion crowned based on total medal points across the field.

Who Took Home the Big Trophy in 2026?
This year’s Grand National Champion is Third Eye Brewing of Hamilton, Ohio, and they didn’t just win — they made history doing it. Third Eye hauled in five gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, for nine total medals, tying the all-time record for most medals won by a single brewery in one year (a mark set by Maui Brewing back in 1990). Their five golds also set a brand-new record for most gold medals won by one brewery in a single competition. This is Third Eye’s second Grand National Champion title in the competition’s 18-year history.

Their gold medal lineup reads like a greatest-hits album:
Mocha Operandi – Breakfast Stout
Double Astral – Chocolate Beer
Unleashed Potential – Coffee Beer
Kelly’s Private Stash Barley Wine – took gold in two separate barleywine subcategories

Rounding out the podium: River North Brewery of Denver, Colorado took second place with four golds (including the deliciously named “Bucket of Bolts” strong ale and “Nightmare Fuel” dark coffee beer), and Feather Falls Brewing of Oroville, California — yes, the brewery attached to a casino — grabbed third with four golds of its own, including an imperial porter called “Angry Mama Bear.”

Click Here – 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship Medal Winners

Breweries of the Year, by Size Class
Because a 200-barrel nano-brewery and a 20,000-barrel regional powerhouse aren’t exactly playing the same game, the U.S. Open also crowns Brewery of the Year across seven output tiers:
0–250 barrels: Sandy Springs Brewing Co, Ohio
251–500 barrels: Forgotten Road Ales, North Carolina
501–1,000 barrels: Wild Heart Brewing Co, South Carolina
1,001–2,000 barrels: River North Brewery, Colorado
2,001–5,000 barrels: Third Eye Brewing, Ohio
5,001–15,000 barrels: Altstadt Brewery, Texas
15,000+ barrels: Alvarado Street Brewery, California

Ohio’s Big Moment
Ohio beer fans have plenty to celebrate this year. Not only did Third Eye Brewing take the top overall prize, but Ohio breweries like Rhinegeist, Masthead, Municipal Brew Works, Streetside Brewery, and Southern Ohio Brewing all picked up gold medals across categories ranging from American IPA to Irish Dry Stout to American Black Ale. For a state that doesn’t always get top billing in national craft beer conversations, that’s a serious flex.

The Funniest Beer Names of the Year
Every year, U.S. Open judges unofficially rank entries by a very scientific metric: laughter volume. This year’s top contenders for funniest name include a North Carolina IPA called “Middle Finger to Monday,” an Ohio brew titled “Beaver on a Big Wheel IPA,” and an Oklahoma City lager that goes by “The Spanish Word for Mango is Mango.” Honorable mention goes to Ohio’s own Narrow Path Brewing for “Ghost Railroad IPA,” which, if you ask us, sounds like it belongs on the side of a caboose.

Top 10 funniest names were:
1. Middle Finger to Monday IPA — Bright Penny Brewing (North Carolina)
2. Beaver on a Big Wheel IPA — Southern Ohio Brewing (Ohio)
3. Tarty to the Party Marion Sour Ale — Wild Ride Brew (Oregon)
4. Yaba Daba Brew! — Three Blondes Brewing (Michigan)
5. The Spanish Word for Mango is Mango – Flix Brewhouse – OK City(Oklahoma)
6. Effed Up Quad – River North Brewery(Colorado)
7. Hop Drop n’ Roll IPA — NoDa Brewing Company (North Carolina)
8. Creamy Fookin’ Pints – Liquid Mechanics Brewing(Colorado)
9. Mermaid Milk Stout — Marker 48 Brewing (Florida)
10. Skool House Bock — Moontown Brewing (Indiana)
10. George Sloshington Pilsner – Mutation Brewing(Georgia)

Honorable Mention(My son, Cameron’s Favorite)
Ghost Railroad IPA — Narrow Path Brewing (Ohio)

A Category for Every Kind of Beer Drinker
What makes the U.S. Open stand out from other big-name competitions is sheer category breadth. This isn’t just IPAs and stouts — although there’s plenty of both. Judges this year sorted through everything from Mexican-style lagers and Baltic porters to gluten-free beers, tea beers, peanut beers, and even a dedicated kids’ and adults’ root beer category. The competition also keeps adding new categories as trends shift: Rice Lager debuted in 2026 after judges noticed a wave of rice-lager entries crowding the International Pilsner category, following the introduction of Imperial Hazy IPAs, Barrel-Aged German Lagers, and Near Gluten-Free beers in recent years.

Pink Boots Blend Category
There’s also a category with real heart behind it: the Pink Boots Blend Category, brewed using a special hop blend created by the Pink Boots Society and Yakima Chief Hops. This year’s gold went to Project Halo Brewing of Fulshear, Texas, for their Maverick Imperial Hazy IPA. Every entry fee in the category gets matched by the U.S. Open and donated to the Pink Boots Society Scholarship Fund, which supports women and non-binary professionals in the fermentation industry — over $12,000 raised through the category so far.

We have 8 judging tables for 32 judges. Click the picture to the U.S. Open live.

Welcome to “The Barn”
All those thousands of entries have to go somewhere, and that somewhere is The Barn — the U.S. Open’s home base and event center in Oxford, Ohio. It’s a converted 5,000-square-foot Amish agricultural barn that Scoggins transformed into a full-blown competition headquarters, complete with two 420-square-foot coolers to keep thousands of entries at the right temperature, a nano brewery, and a dedicated whiskey office for the U.S. Open’s spirits judging. Tucked into the property is also a six-hole putt-putt course built for special needs kids to have a place to play, including Scoggins’ own son, Cameron. It’s the kind of detail that sums up the whole operation: a serious, third-largest-in-the-country beer competition that still runs on volunteers, pizza, and a genuine sense of community.

Click on the picture and see the actual dump!

The ALS Beer Bucket Challenge
Every beer competition ends up with leftover product — cases and cases of cold beer that’s already been poured, sampled, and judged, with nowhere left to go. Founder Dow Scoggins turned that leftover beer into a cause: the ALS Beer Bucket Challenge, a riff on the viral Ice Bucket Challenge that swaps ice water for coolers and buckets of the competition’s leftover cold beer. The U.S. Open donates a portion of its competition proceeds to the ALS Foundation, and as part of the challenge, it’s calling out the other major beer competitions in the country — the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, and the New York State Craft Beer Competition — to step up and match the effort.
It’s a fittingly irreverent, big-hearted move from a competition that got its start on pizza money and a brewer’s flight from Canada: put the extra beer to work for a cause instead of pouring it down the drain.

Why It Matters (Beyond Bragging Rights)
For breweries, a U.S. Open medal is more than a shiny sticker for the taproom window — it’s a data point judged blind, style-by-style, by trained beer judges evaluating aroma, appearance, flavor, and overall balance against the official style guidelines. For drinkers, the medal list doubles as a shopping list: if you’re standing in a bottle shop wondering what to grab, “gold medal winner, U.S. Open Beer Championship” is about as reliable a signal as you’ll find on a six-pack.

So next time you crack open a cold one, take a second to check the label. There’s a decent chance it already has a stein-shaped medal to its name.

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