The Indiana State Fair Brewers' Cup

The Entry Book is now LIVE! Check it out ➡️ https://bit.ly/3IQruBL

Also - don't forget to register as a judge or steward here ➡️ https://bit.ly/41RdRgx

🚨 HERE WE GO! 🚨
Sign up NOW to be a judge or steward for the 2024 Indiana State Fair Brewers’ Cup Competition. Register here ➡️ https://bit.ly/41RdRgx

⭐ 2023 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐

Join us in congratulating Treehive (Brocton, Illinois), 2023 Best of Show Mead/Cider Pro! This is their third year competing in the Indiana State Fair Brewers' Cup.

"My favorite thing about making mead is having something I made enjoyed by others. I got into making mead because I wanted to try if I could do it. There also wasn't a lot around so I wanted to have mead all of the time. I also joined a lot of memberships to feed this need for mead. I have finally opened my tasting room. I have won Best in Show mead and cider professional 3 years straight. I really enjoy making traditional meads and showcasing the honey. I've done masonry for 25 years and I even worked in Indiana and lived in Indiana a few different times in my life. Making mead is a little bit easier on my body.

Thanks for the competition. I really enjoy coming over and judging the homebrew side of the competition."

⭐ 2023 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐

Join us in congratulating Rich Rawlings (Chicago, IL), 2023 Best of Show Beer Home Brew! This is his first year competing in the Indiana State Fair Brewers' Cup.

"I would say my favorite thing about brewing is sharing the final product with friends and neighbors. I started brewing as kind of a dare of sorts. We shared a house with another couple in Chicago back in 2009 and the husband was just getting into homebrewing when we met them. I was the neighbor eager to taste-test each new batch. At one point, he decided to start a homebrew club with a friend and some others who were interested. I hung around his club as it grew for a year or two sampling more and more members brews until at one point decided, if these guys can do it, how hard can it be? I have been brewing ever since, and that friend and others have gone on to start their own breweries. I learned a lot about brewing very fast in those days thanks to all the members of my homebrew club, C.H.A.O.S. Homebrew Club, located here in Chicago. They have dedicated space for members to brew with all the equipment you need, which makes it easy for anyone to jump right in. In recent years I have been brewing on my home system mostly with my neighbor, Kain Knowles(an Indiana Boy!) who i brewed this beer with, and also with others from my brew club. "

⭐ 2023 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐

Join us in congratulating Dean Steuerwald (Brownsburg, IN), 2023 Best of Show Mead/Cider Homebrew & 2023 Indiana Mead/Cidermaker of the Year!

"Attached are 6 pictures that encapsulate a day of apple cider pressing. Pictures include collecting the apples, washing them, grinding into pulp, pressing pulp into juice, and putting the juice into jugs. These are some of the first steps taken to help craft award-winning hard cider.

I have been competing in the Brewers Cup for about 8 years. Initially, I dabbled in entering beers in the competition with mixed results. The last few years, I have focused my efforts towards mead and cider making. I feel that mead and cider give me a better blank canvas to play around with different flavors. My favorite thing about crafting meads and ciders is sourcing high quality ingredients and creating unique recipes. My lifelong passion for cooking is what inspired me to start brewing. I enjoy the natural connection between designing a great food recipe and crafting a beer/mead/cider recipe. There are so many similarities, from sourcing high quality ingredients to figuring out what flavors would be complimentary to make the best dish/beverage. For me, brewing is just another artistic outlet, and a chance to let my personality shine through my creations. I look forward to competing in the Brewers Cup for many years to come!

⭐ 2023 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐

Join us in congratulating Brady Smith 2023 Indiana Homebrewer of the Year and 2023 Indiana Amateur Grand Champion of the Year! Brady has been involved with Brewers’ Cup as an entrant, steward and BJCP judge since 2010.

"I really enjoy the process of conceiving a beer-- imagining what it will look, taste and smell like-- then incorporating all the brew day and fermentation processes to turn the idea into a cold, frosty reality in my glass. There are a great number of knowledgeable folks in the brewing scene in Central Indiana who have helped me along. I really enjoy their friendship and the camaraderie and competition at Brewer’s Cup.

I started brewing in the late-90’s in a dinky SoBro bungalow with a roommate who was a chemist by day. We spent many an evening at the Broad Ripple Brew Pub and Rock Bottom pouring over books and magazines and picking the brains of local brewers. We made lots of marginal beer and a couple decent batches over the course of a few years. As life circumstances changed (meaning I could afford a place with a garage) I cobbled together better equipment and jumped head-first into all grain brewing in the early-2000's. I really enjoy brewing American and German lagers and might slip in the occasional stout or West Coast IPA."

🍻ENTRY INFO: Returning for 2024 - Indiana Only Beer/Mead/Cider Categories! 🍻

Entries in this category are open to Indiana residents ONLY using ONLY Indiana ingredients (with the exception of yeast, and oak or other wood which may be sourced outside of Indiana). Beers/Meads/Ciders in these categories may also be entered in other categories and may be eligible for other medals in other categories; however, in the event the 1st place entry in the Indiana Only category is also advancing to BOS in another category, only ONE advancement will be permitted.
Entry Info: Entrants must specify which Indiana sourced or produced ingredients were used.

⭐ 2023 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐

Join us in congratulating Primeval Brewing (Noblesville, IN), 2023 Indiana Brewery of the Year & 2023 Grand Champion Brewery of the Year! This is their third year competing in the Indiana State Fair Brewers' Cup.

"Tim and Nathan got started as homebrewers and developed our love of craft beer and the brewing community through the homebrewing community. We eventually decided to pursue a dream of taking the next step of brewing professionally. Our love of classic European beer styles is the backbone of Primeval, and we use that focus to bring something unique to the Indiana craft beer market.

We love the science and process behind brewing, but our favorite things are the experiences, friendships, and memories that are fostered by people getting together and enjoying great beer!

We really appreciate the support Indiana Brewers’ Cup has given to the brewing community for so many years and are especially grateful for the opportunities offered to small breweries like Primeval! We’d like to thank everyone who supports the wonderful craft breweries throughout the State of Indiana!"

SAVE THE DATE! The 2024 Indiana State Fair Brewers' Cup Awards Ceremony will be held on July 13th in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum! We can't wait to toast all of you 🍻

A huge THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who help run this competition! We had over 60 stewards and interns volunteer to work multiple days to make this competition a success. We couldn't do it without you! 🍻

ICYMI: If you won a category and were unable to attend the reception please reach out to [email protected] to schedule shipping or pickup.

CONGRATULATIONS to Primeval Brewing for earning the title of 2023 GRAND CHAMPION BREWERY at this year's Indiana Brewers' Cup Competition! A list of all winners can be found here >> https://bit.ly/3O5KxO8

LET'S LIVESTREAM THIS PARTY! We're now able to livestream tonight's awards ceremony. The fun begins around 7:30 >> https://youtu.be/ue1iSUTBPnU

Who's ready to celebrate?! Join us TONIGHT at 5PM in the Indiana Farmers Coliseum to celebrate all of our 2023 Indiana Brewers' Cup winners! 🏆🍻

Let's celebrate Indiana Brewers' Cup week! We are giving away THREE vouchers for a pair of Imperial Yeast pouches! WANNA WIN? LIKE this post and comment the name of the first beer you ever brewed! Winners will be notified Monday by 5PM!

ICYMI: Reception tickets were mailed out last week. If you received an emailed PDF - they will not work. If you have not received your tickets by Saturday we will have a will call onsite. Additional tickets will be available for purchase onsite.

If you have additional questions please reach out to [email protected]!

🚨 Homebrew Drop Off Ends TODAY at 2PM! 🚨
Please plan to drop off your beer by 2PM at Great Fermentations, no late beer will be accepted!

🚨 Probrew Drop Off Ends TODAY at 5PM! 🚨
Please plan to drop off your beer by 5PM at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, no late beer will be accepted!

⚠️ LAST CALL FOR ENTRIES! ⚠️
Entry for the 2023 Indiana Brewers' Cup closes TONIGHT at 11:59PM. Don't wait, submit those beers now! 🍻

🍻 Beer drop off starts today! 🍻

Homebrew Drop-Off: Ship or hand-deliver to:
Great Fermentations
5127 E. 65th Street Indianapolis, IN 46220

Professional Drop-Off: Ship or hand-deliver to:
Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center
ATTN: Hunter Bauman Communications Building
1202 E. 38th Street Indianapolis, IN 46205

Does your homebrew club or brewery want to participate as a tasting booth or table sponsor in the 2023 Indiana Brewers' Cup reception? You can register here now ➡️ https://bit.ly/41MlzHq
🚨 Deadline for registering is June 23rd, don't miss your chance!🚨

There are only two weeks left to enter the 2023 Indiana Brewers' Cup! Sumbit your beers now before all the spots are full! You can enter now here ➡️ https://bit.ly/453emW3

🎉 Entry is now OPEN! 🎉 You can enter here now! ➡️ https://bit.ly/453emW3

NEW for 2023: TWO NEW Categories! Entries in these categories are open to Indiana residents ONLY using ONLY Indiana ingredients
Learn more here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3IdAgMo

The Entry Book is now LIVE! Check it out here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3IQruBL

⭐2022 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight⭐

Today we’re toasting Caleb Meinke (Cambridge, WI), 2022 Best of Show Beer Home Brew and Indiana Homebrewer of the Year! This was Caleb’s FIRST year participating in Brewers’ Cup.

“Brewing quality beer is the balance point between expression and precision; it is the place where artistic and scientific roads meet. To me, it permits me to exercise both freely, and I quite enjoy the end product!

A lifelong friend of mine, Ray, won a homebrewing kit at a beer festival a little more than eight years ago. After he had a few batches under his belt he talked to me about it and said, "You REALLY need to try this." I was reluctant at first, but he kept after me about it... and I was down the rabbit hole! I'm eternally grateful he kept after me about it. He knew how much I would love it, and how the process would fit in with the things I love doing most. Brewing has become a hallmark in my life, and without Ray's luck and persistence I likely never would have found it. So, thanks Ray!

There few things as wonderful as the homebrewing community. I feel very fortunate to be a part of such an incredible thing. Thanks to everyone who makes it what it is, and thanks to all those who make wonderful beer!”

⭐ 2022 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐

Today we’re CHEERS’ing the MASH Fort Wayne Homebrew Club (Fort Wayne, IN), winner of both the 2022 Bill Friday Award and Homebrew Club of the Year!

The MASH Fort Wayne Homebrew Club was created in 2000 after the local homebrew shop and oldest craft breweries in town jointly held a homebrewing event. The first official club meeting was held on 2/6/2000. The initial support from Mad Anthony Brewing was the reason for the name of the club, MASH (Mad Anthony Serious Homebrewers). There are still a handful of original members that are still active in the club today.

Over the years, many of the current craft breweries in town have had a connection to the MASH club. The head brewers or owners were either involved or a member of the MASH club. Most of the breweries in Fort Wayne still support the club.

The MASH club has been entering the Indiana Brewers’ Cup since the early 2000’s. Over the past five years there has been an increased focus on the number of entries and quality of those entries submitted by the MASH club into the Indiana Brewers’ Cup. Each year the club’s medal count has increased leading to the recent success at the Indiana Brewers’ Cup.

The MASH clubs’ mission has been to promote the education and knowledge of the art of brewing as well as encouraging and rewarding individuals dedicated to the brewing art. The Indiana Brewers’ Cup competition has provided the purpose and motivation for many members of the MASH club to learn and brew styles of beer, mead & cider they may not have otherwise created.

⭐ 2022 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐

Congratulations to Jed Lengerich (Decatur, IN), 2022 Indiana Amateur Grand Champion of the Year.

“The science and process of brewing are a couple components of what interest me and have kept me involved with the hobby. I find it very interesting and enjoy learning how small process changes can affect the brewing process and allow me to create the finished product I want.

I started brewing in 2012 with my brother and a couple friends. What started out as a reason to hang out and share a similar interest (beer), quickly grew into a fun and rewarding hobby.

I've organized a small homebrew competition in my local community for the last 6 years. The local competition along with larger competitions, such as Brewers’ Cup and my local homebrew club, MASH Fort Wayne, have been some of the most significant reasons I've continued to homebrew and learn more about the hobby. Without the community of people that share the same interest in homebrewing and the competitive side of homebrew competitions, I would not be the brewer I am today.”

⭐ 2022 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐
Today we’re toasting Metazoa Brewing Company (Indianapolis, IN), 2022 Best of Show Beer Professional Division.

Metazoa has been competing in Indiana Brewers' Cup since 2016, winning Brewery of the Year in 2021 and Best of Show in 2022. Several members of the production team have been competing even longer at other breweries.

Rob Malad: “I enjoy drinking beer, so my favorite part of brewing is the challenge of taking your vision of what you want a beer to taste like and working backwards to make that happen. There are a ton of variables in any beer style, it can be quite the quest!

I've always really enjoyed beer, dating back to my definitely legal drinking age days of swiping Coors from my father's fridge. I started working at Sun King in the summer of 2012. I thought it would be a fun place to work while I figured out my great life plan. Turns out, I found my perfectly decent life plan!

Metazoa is a brewery and taproom focused on donating to animal charities. Since its inception, Metazoa has donated 5% of its proceeds to several local, regional, and national animal charities.”

⭐ 2022 Indiana Brewers’ Cup Spotlight ⭐
Join us in congratulating Jeremy Klausing (Indianapolis, IN), 2022 Best of Show Mead/Cider Homebrew Division. This was his first year competing in Brewers’ Cup!

“I love being able to experiment and try new flavors and processes. Each batch I learn something new and try to use that knowledge to make the next one better. Being able to share these experiments with friends is also extremely rewarding.
My wife purchased a homebrew kit for me back in 2018 hoping I would make a few awful batches then move on. Unfortunately for her, any bad batch only made me want to try harder on the next one. I switched to making mead in late 2019 as a way to brew gifts for our upcoming 2020 wedding...once the world slowed down in 2020, work from home meant lots of mead was being made.

This was my first Indiana State Fair Brewers’ Cup as a homebrewer and I'm hopeful that next year, I'll be able to enter the commercial side of the competition. I am currently in the process of building and opening up a commercial meadery space in the Bates-Hendricks neighborhood of downtown Indianapolis!”

CONGRATULATIONS to Flix Brewhouse - Carmel for winning the Indiana Brewery of the Year AND 2022 Grand Champion Brewery 🍻 Cheers to all of this year's exhibitors!