beer buzz: how to make a winning brew

Three Indiana breweries brought home medals from the 2014 World Beer Cup Competition in Denver, Colo., where 4,754 beers from 1,403 breweries representing 58 countries were judged April 6-12. Carsons Brewery in Evansville earned silver for Red Dawn, in American-Style Wheat, which drew 23 entries. Thr3e Wise Men earned Silver for Hot for Teacher Ms Dopelbock, in German-Style Doppelbock with 52 entries. Sun King earned bronze for Johan the Barleywine in Barley Wine-Style Ale with 53 entries.

NUVO checked in with certified beer judge, educator, homebrewer and Cicerone Ron Smith for guidance on what sets one brew apart from others in competition. Smith explains, “A winning beer must first be a well-made beer, with no off flavors or technical issues. Then, the beer needs to meet the accepted style guidelines for the beer style it was entered as (which can be half of the battle, i.e. getting a beer in the best category for it to score well). Once a beer is determined to meet the style guidelines, which are always a range for each major aspect of the beer style, including Aroma, Appearance, Flavor and Mouthfeel.”

“Then the judges look for the overall aspects that make the beer outstanding, which is often the balance and harmony of the ingredients and the various flavor, aroma and mouthfeel characteristics. When there are no flaws, and all the appropriate aspects of the style are present, along with the perfect balance and harmony for that beer style is achieved, which is all much easier said than done, then you usually have a beer that is going to win awards.” Learn about Smith’s top-rated brewery tour to Brussels, Brugge and Antwerp, July 20-29, at beermba.com.