2025 Between the Bluffs Homebrew Competition
Thanks to all who participated in the 2025 Between the Bluffs Homebrew Competition.
There were 165 entries judged and 181 registered participants, judges, and stewards.
Best of Show Winners
Best of Show – Beer
| Place | Brewer | Entry Name | Style | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ross Stuart | Czech Premium | 3B: Czech Premium Pale Lager | The Brü Club |
| 2nd | Jay Wilkes | Number Of The Beast | 32A: Classic Style Smoked Beer | DC Homebrewers |
| 3rd | Phillip Abbott | Isolationist | 17B: Old Ale | Johnson County Brewing Society |
Heavy Medal Brewer (48 Participating Brewers)
Scores and tie-breakers have been applied in accordance with the scoring methodology. Numbers reflected are rounded to the hundredth place. Hover over or tap the question mark icon () for the actual calculated value.
Overall Club Winner (15 Participating Clubs)
Scores and tie-breakers have been applied in accordance with the scoring methodology. Numbers reflected are rounded to the hundredth place. Hover over or tap the question mark icon () for the actual calculated value.
Winning Entries
Table 1: Pale Lagers & Pilsners (24 entries)
| Place | Brewer | Name | Style | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Ross Stuart | Czech Premium | 3B: Czech Premium Pale Lager | The Brü Club |
| 2nd | Ross Stuart | American Lite | 1A: American Light Lager | The Brü Club |
| 3rd | Matthew Mead MHP | Helles | 4A: Munich Helles | PrimeTime Brewers |
Table 2: Amber & Dark Lagers (20 entries)
| Place | Brewer | Name | Style | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jeff Curtis MHP | A Day At The Beech | 6B: Rauchbier | The Brü Club |
| 2nd | Robert Abbott MHP | IDL | 2C: International Dark Lager | The Brü Club |
| 3rd | Trevor Mack MHP | St. Stephen's Lager | 7A: Vienna Lager | The Brü Club |
| HM | Robert Abbott MHP | IAL | 2B: International Amber Lager | The Brü Club |
Table 3: Bocks & Browns (13 entries)
Table 4: Pales, Wheat, & Other Lights (29 entries)
Table 5: IPAs (21 entries)
Table 6: Amber Ales (18 entries)
| Place | Brewer | Name | Style | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Stephen Schmitt MHP | William Wallace | 14C: Scottish Export | The Brü Club |
| 2nd | Todd Rieck | Rue The Day | 19A: American Amber Ale | La Crosse Area Grain Enthusiasts and Related Specialties |
| 3rd | Tim Miehe | BASSMAN | 11C: Strong Bitter | La Crosse Area Grain Enthusiasts and Related Specialties |
Table 7: Porters & Stouts (12 entries)
| Place | Brewer | Name | Style | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Jeffrey Ryan | Robust Porter | 13C: English Porter | |
| 2nd | Trevor Mack MHP | Galaxy Far Away | 20B: American Stout | The Brü Club |
| 3rd | Patrick Carey MHP | Coffee Kiss | 16A: Sweet Stout | Upstate NY Homebrewers Assn |
Table 8: Strong Ales (8 entries)
| Place | Brewer | Name | Style | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Phillip Abbott MHP | Isolationist | 17B: Old Ale | Johnson County Brewing Society |
| 2nd | Frank Osborne MHP | Finnian And The Quad AVGBRU | 26D: Belgian Dark Strong Ale | The Brü Club |
| 3rd | William Allwardt | AvgBru Quad | 26D: Belgian Dark Strong Ale | The Brü Club |
| HM | Todd Rieck | Mistaken Identity | 17C: Wee Heavy | La Crosse Area Grain Enthusiasts and Related Specialties |
Table 9: Specialty Beers (20 entries)
Judging Sessions
2025 Between the Bluffs - Morning Session
03/22/2025 9:00 AM, CDT.
2025 Between the Bluffs - Late Morning
03/22/2025 11:00 AM, CDT.
2025 Between the Bluffs - Afternoon Session
03/22/2025 1:00 PM, CDT.
Account Registration Closed
Account registrations accepted 01/01/2025 10:00 AM, CST through 03/22/2025 9:00 AM, CDT.
Registrations for judges or stewards accepted 01/01/2025 10:00 AM, CST through 03/22/2025 5:00 PM, CDT.
Entry Registration Closed
Entry Drop-Off Closed
Please pay attention to the notes provided for each drop-off location. There could be earlier deadlines for some drop-off locations listed, particular hours when entries are accepted, certain individuals to leave your entries with, etc. All entrants are responsible for reading the information provided by the organizers for each drop-off location.