Press Release

FIRST ANNUAL BLACKSBURG BREW DO HOMEBREW COMPETITION DRAWS OVER 50 ENTRIES

Blacksburg, Virginia, October 24, 2009 – The first annual Blacksburg Brew Do Homebrew Competition drew 55 entries over four categories. The competition, sponsored by Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill, was the first of its kind in the New River Valley and was organized in conjunction with the craft beer festival that took place today at the First & Main shopping district.

Entries were accepted in the categories of Light, Amber, Dark, and Specialty. Homebrewers were allowed to submit up to three entries and each was judged by a panel of craft brew experts: Jim Strickland, Brewmaster at Bull & Bones Brewhaus, Mike Pensinger, Brewmaster at The River Company, Sean Osborne, Brewmaster at Big Daddy’s Brewery, and Jason Anderson, Manager of Shooting Creek Brewery.

Judges were impressed with the overall quality and the wide variety of the beers submitted. Jim Strickland, Brewmaster at Bull & Bones Brewhaus said, “Many of the beers came very close to superb. The entries in the dark category were especially well done.”

Winners in each category are as follows:

Light

1st Place – Eric England, Blacksburg, Belgian Blonde

2nd Place – David Wheeler, Christiansburg, Saison

3rd Place – David Wheeler, Christiansburg, American Wheat

Amber

1st Place – Jason Scheffler, Christiansburg, Belgian Pale Ale

2nd Place – Josh Gambrel, Blacksburg, Belgian Dark Strong

3rd Place – Jose Piriz, Pounding Mill, English Pale Ale

Dark

1st Place – Dave Hrdlicka, Christiansburg, Dopplebock

2nd Place – William Landry, Roanoke, Oatmeal Stout

3rd Place – Jason Scheffler, Christiansburg, Belgian Dubbel

Specialty

1st Place – Seth Ellis, Blacksburg, Sally Spruce Ale

2nd Place – Ross Angel, Blacksburg, Saison

3rd Place – Josh Gambrel, Blacksburg, Belgian Fruit Lambic

The first place winners in each category had their entries judged a final time during the Brew Do festival to determine “Best of Show.” “Best of Show” was awarded at 3:30 this afternoon to Dave Hrdlicka for his Dopplebock and Jason Scheffler received “Runner Up” for his Belgian Pale Ale. Both Hrdlicka and Scheffler win the rights to brew and serve their winning entries at Bull and Bones Brewhaus and Grill.

The Blacksburg Partnership is a non-profit, independent economic development organization formed by the town, business and university communities. The purpose of the organization is to bolster the vitality of Blacksburg through projects that attract visitors and retail prospects. Partnership projects include development of property, the revitalization of retail districts, special events and the creation of marketing programs. For more information visit www.stepintoblacksburg.org.