Laramie Downtown Brewfest Another Huge Success!

The Laramie Downtown Brewfest which started in 2006 was a huge success again this year with over 2500 people drinking quality beers from all over the country. I myself was lucky enough to be chosen to be a beer judge, to sample 14 IPA's and APA's from around the country. Contrary to what you might think beer judging is not just about drinking a lot of beer, but trying to pick out the imperfections in the style of beer you’re judging.  You can't just say well this beer tastes good to me so I choose it to be the best.

An Indian Pale Ale (IPA) was developed to travel from England to India and had to survive a 6 month sea voyage from England on a ship.  So it has more hops and has a unique taste and finish. Not everyone likes IPA's and how hoppy the finish is, but I sure do, especially after trying fourteen of them.

Two beers rose to the top of the beer tasting. The first was an IPA from Snake River Brewing Co. - Packos Eye P A. You can get it at Albertsons and it comes in a can with a dog on the front. The second place beer also from the Jackson area was Grand Teton Brewing Co.  - Sweetgrass APA also a great summer brew that you can get locally.

My biggest surprise after tasting all of these brews, not knowing what they were, was that both were from a Wyoming brewer. Beating the likes from our neighbors to the south notably:  New Belgium, Odell's and other great beers. It gives me great joys to think Wyoming is doing something right! I'll still drink those Colorado beers I suppose, ok I'll drink them a lot! Cheers to all the breweries that supported the Downtown Brewfest and to make the Brewfest a growing success. Cheers to Karen and Greg at Altitudes as well; their beer won the People's Choice Award and they both put in a lot of extra work to bring Laramie a quality event like the Brewfest.

Brewfest winners:

BROWN ALE
1st Place – Wind River Brewing Company -  Canyon Nut Brown
2nd Place – Grand Teton Brewing Company -  Bitch Creek ESB

WHEAT
1st Place – Boulevard Zon Belgian Style Whitbier
2nd Place – Odell Brewing Company -  Easy Street Wheat

PALE ALE
1st  Place– Snake River Brewing - Packos Eye PA
2nd Place –  Grand Teton Brewing Company - Sweetgrass APA

BEST SUMMER BREW
1st  Place– New Belgium Brewing -  Summersault Ale
2nd – Oskar Blues Brewery – Mama’s Little Yella Pils

BEST OF SHOW – TRAVELING TROPHY WINNER
Snake River Brewing - Packos Eye P A

PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER
Altitude Chophouse & Brewery