Who made it to the next round??

While I can't tell you the winner of the Porter Homebrew Competition, I can tell you who moved on to the final round of the Extreme Valentine's Competition.









In no particular order....

Hoppy Valentine Bouquet

brewed by Darren Uner

Creamy Hot Desire

brewed by Jimmy Wyatt

Chocolate Cherry Whiskey Stout

brewed by Devin Bates

Four Aphrodisiacs and a Date Stout

brewed by Samantha Bates

These beers will be available for the People's Choice Judging in Warehouse A, Table 14.  Come by DeLand Abbey for the Festival Kick Off Party for a chance to win a judging slot.

DeLand Craft Beer Week is Here!!!

We are really excited about this week.  There are a bunch of great events going on this week leading up to the DeLand Craft Beer Festival on Saturday February 9th.  Don't forget to grab your tickets for the beer festival before they are gone.  Tickets will be available online until Friday at around 3pm.  You can also pick them up at MainStreet DeLand Association, DeLand Abbey, Cafe DaVinci, Windy City Restaurant, McK's Tavern and Mermaid Juice Craft Beer Bar.

February 3-9, 2013 Declared DeLand Craft Beer Week

January 21, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 3-9, 2013 Declared DeLand Craft Beer Week

In celebration of the DeLand Craft Beer Festival to be held on February 9th in downtown DeLand,  the MainStreet DeLand Association is declaring February 3rd-9th DeLand Craft Beer Week.  Each year craft beer lovers make a pilgrimage to the sell-out festival in Artisan Alley to enjoy craft beer from breweries across the country and the world, as well as rare, vintage and cask beers. There are also educational break-out sessions and a homebrew competition.  There will be events and activities throughout the week leading up to the festival.

Festivities get started with the homebrew competition judging.  The judging is open to the public, and will take place at the MainStreet DeLand Association office (100 N. Woodland Blvd. Suite 4, DeLand) on February 5th and 6^th from 6pm-9pm. Homebrewers will present their most creative porters and “Valentine Inspired” brews.  No food, smoking, perfumes or strong smells allowed, please.

On February 7th, join us for the DeLand Craft Beer Festival kickoff party at DeLand Abbey (117 North Woodland Blvd., DeLand) from 8pm-close. There will be raffles and prizes all night long! Additional kickoff events will be listed on www.delandcraftbeerfestival.com

There will be a meet and greet at several locations throughout downtown DeLand from 7pm-9pm on February 8th to give the public, event attendees, organizers and brewery representatives an opportunity to meet and network the night before the festival. Locations will be listed on www.delandcraftbeerfestival.com.

Finally, the week culminates on February 9^th with the DeLand Craft Beer Festival from 1pm-5pm in Artisan Alley in Downtown DeLand.  There will be over 50 breweries and120 beers represented at nearly 40 pour stations.  This year’s break out session topics include, “The Future of Craft Beer in Cans,” “The Growth of Craft Beer in Florida,” “The History of Post Prohibition Beer in America” and a Skype session with Southern Tier Brewing Company.  Sanford Homebrew Shop will also be on site for the length of the festival giving a brewing demonstration.  The workshops and demonstrations are free with festival admission. The after party continues at nightspots throughout downtown DeLand.

Funds raised at the festival benefit the MainStreet DeLand Association, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation.  Event sponsors include, S.R. Perrott, Daytona Beverage, Conrad Realty, West Volusia Beacon, DeLand Abbey, Beer Geek Speak, Sierra Nevada, Warsteiner, Sam Adams, Boulder Brewing and Widmer Brothers Brewing.

Festival tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door (if available).  Tickets can be purchased in person at DeLand Abbey (cash only), 117 N. Woodland Blvd., Deland; and the MainStreet DeLand Association,100 N. Woodland Blvd. Suite 4, DeLand.; or online at: www.delandcraftbeerfestival.com.  Must be 21 to enter.  No pets.  No children, including infants. For more information: 386-738-0649, info@mainstreetdeland.org or visit www.delandcraftbeerfestival.com.

###

Volunteers Needed

If you are interested in Volunteering for the DeLand Craft Beer Festival or any of the week's events please fill out the Volunteer Application here.  We need volunteers for all areas of the festival!!

Tickets are on Sale!!!

Tickets for Deland Craft Beer Festival 2013 are on sale now!!!  This event sells out every year so get yours now.  Tickets are available at Mainstreet DeLand and DeLand Abbey (cash only) and online.

Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate (if we happen to have any left over this is...)

We also have a limited number of Holiday Bundles available.  Get 2 tickets and a custom Deland Craft Beer Festival bottle opener that will fit nicely in a special someone's stocking for $80!!! Bundles are only available at Mainstreet DeLand Association and DeLand Abbey.  Bundles can not be purchased online!

Final Scores for the Homebrew Competition

Congratulations to Jill Meehan.  Jill won the Style Category for the second year in a row with her Pumpkin and Spice Imperial Brown Ale.

The final round scores are:
1. Jill Meehan - 153/200
2. Gary Fuller - 141/200
3. Jeff Schnell - 139/200
4. Gary Fuller - 137/200
5. Neil MacMillan - 129/200
6. Jeremy Shaw - 121/200

Congratulations to Jeremy Shaw. Jeremy got the most votes in the Valentine's Category for his Cherry Vanilla Peep Ale. Jeremy received 13 out of 28 votes.

And Our Preliminary Round Winners Are....

Tonight was our preliminary round judging for the Style and Valentine's Category Homebrew Competition.  The top six from each category will move on to the final round judging which is held live during the festival.  A huge thanks to everyone that came out to watch all the nail biting action (better known as watching us take tasting beer WAY too seriously)!

And now the moment you have been waiting for...

The top six entries in the Style category are:
(in no particular order)
1. Gary Fuller - Strong Scotch Ale with pumpkin and spices
2. Gary Fuller - Chocolate Coffee Stout
3. Neil MacMillan - Amber Ale with spices steeped in Crown 7
4. Jeremy Shaw - Sweet Stout with Vanilla
5. Jill Meehan - Pumpkin Ale with spices
6. Jeff Schnell - Coconut Porter

The top six entries in the Valentine's Category are:
(in no particular order)
1. Jimmy Wyatt - Sweet Stout with chocolate and strawberry
2. Bill Richards - Honey Brown Ale with Chocolate
3. Scott Poertner - Double IPA
4. Siegfried Schlieper - Rose Petal Gruit
5. Andy Sistrunk - White Ale with Strawberries
6. Jeremy Shaw - Cream Ale with Cherry and Vanilla Peeps