Area homebrewers are probably quite familiar with the friendly rivalry that goes between the Society of Northern Ohio Brewers (SNOBs) and their southern neighbors, the Society of Akron Area Zymurgists (SAAZ). Last year's two big homebrew competitions, Son of Brewzilla (SNOB-sponsored) and Wizard of SAAZ (SAAZ-sponsored) were dominated by SAAZ members. The Son of Brewzilla last year had SAAZ bringing home most of the medals even though the SNOBs had the most entries.
Out of this friendly rivalry sprouted the idea for a "Cuyahoga Cup" to be given to the club with the most points at each competition. The scoring was to be 3 points for a gold medal, 2 points for silver, and 1point for bronze, with the Best of Show scoring at 10, 7, and 5 points respectively. Jack Kephart (BREW Kettle brewer) is reportedly building this as yet unseen trophy, but yesterday's Son of Brewzilla competition determined the winner.
The competition couldn't have been any closer. Out of 382 entries from as far away as California, Mississippi, and Canada, 111 were from SAAZ members and 107 were from SNOBs. Judging was held at Fat Head's Brewery and Saloon in North Olmsted yesterday (September 24, 2011). When it was all said and done, Larry and Donna Reuter from SAAZ won Best of Show with a light American lager. The winner's beer will be brewed professionally by Fat Head's for entry into the 2012 Great American Beerfest Pro-Am competition, Paul Shick of SNOBs won the silver medal for his Eisbock, and Mike Piazza of SAAZ won the Bronze in Best of Show in the English Brown Ale category.
However, when all the points for all 23 categories plus Best of Show were tallied, the final score was 63 points for SAAZ and 65 points for SNOB, giving the SNOB club the coveted first Cuyahoga Cup...until the next competition, anyway. A list of all winners can be found here.
Now wouldn't it be nice, and spark more interest in competitions if there were a "Buckeye Cup" and get all the Ohio homebrew clubs involved?
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