Oenology: Beer

State Fair Home Brewed Beers Win Honors

Participants from across the state put their best bottles to the test in the Iowa Beer Competition, judged prior to the start of the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

Complete results follow:

Standard American

1) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

2) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

3) Shawn Montgomery, Milo

Int’l & Czech Lager

1) John Luhmann, Des Moines

2) John Luhmann, Des Moines

3) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

Munich Helles

1) John Tebockhorst, Washington

2) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

3) John Luhmann, Des Moines

Pale Euro Beer

1) Aaron Reif, Pleasant Hill

2) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

3) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

Amber Euro Lager

1) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

2) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

3) Jack Standefer, Cedar Rapids

Dark & Strong Euro Beer

1) Bob Miller, Iowa City

2) John Luhmann, Des Moines

3) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

Amber & German Wheat Beer

1) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

2) John Luhmann, Des Moines

3) 1587 Homebrewing, Des Moines

British & Commonwealth Beer

1) Nicholas Merfeld, Milo

2) John Tebockhost, Washington

3) John Luhmann, Des Moines

Scottish & Irish Ale

1) Drew Templeton, Mitchellville

2) Jack Standefer, Cedar Rapids

3) Drew Templeton, Mitchellville

British Porter & Stout

1) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

2) Jack Sandefer, Cedar Rapids

3) Nicholas Merfeld, Milo

Pale American Ale

1) Michael Blanar, Johnston

2) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

3) Michael Davis, Waukee

Amber & Brown Amer Beer

1) Richard Mueggenberg, Norwalk

2) Mike McGuire, Polk City

3) Rob Reicks, West Des Moines

American Porter & Stout

1) Aaron Reif, Pleasant Hill

2) John Luhmann, Des Moines

3) Joel Jacobs, Bussey

American & Spec IPA

1) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

2) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

3) Jason Vallone, Mt. Pleasant

Hazy IPA

1) Victor Svecs, Clive

2) Michael Blanar, Johnston

3) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

Strong American Ale

1) Aaron Pigors, Saint John, IN

2) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

3) John Luhmann, Des Moines

European Sour Ale

1) Richard Muggenberg, Norwalk

2) Drew Templeton, Mitchellvile

3) Mark Mogler, Ames

Strong Belgian Ale

1) Drew Templeton, Mitchellvile

2) Victor Svecs, Clive

3) Taylor Norland, Des Moines

Belgian and Monastic Ale

1) Victor Svecs, Clive

2) Doug Leonard, Urbandale

3) Aaron Reif, Pleasant Hill

American Wild Ale

1) Drew Templeton, Mitchellville

2) Bill Zywiec, Riverside

3) Mark Mogler, Ames

Fruit Beer

1) John Luhmann, Des Moines

2) Nicholas Merfeld, Milo

3) Shawn Montgomery, Milo

SHV, Smoked, Wood - Aged

1) Drew Templeton, Mitchellville

2) Mike McGuire, Polk City

3) Brian Brzezinski, Menasha, WI

Mead – Traditional, Cyser

1) Kelly Phillips, Manning

2) Nicholas Carter, Baxter

3) Kelly Phillips, Manning

Mead – Berry

1) Andre Bajorek, Clive

2) Shawn Montgomery, Milo

3) Kelly Phillips, Manning

Mead – Spiced

1) Nicholas Carter, Baxter

2) Shawn Montgomery, Milo

3) Nicholas Carter, Baxter

Mead – Stone Fruit and Melomel

1) Shawn Montgomery, Milo

2) Shawn Montgomery, Milo

3) Nicholas Carter, Baxter

Mead – Specialty

1) Kelly Phillips, Manning

2) Nicholas Carter, Baxter

3) Nicholas Carter, Baxter

Cider

1) Martin Hazelwood, Ankeny

2) John Tebockhorst, Washington

3) Nicholas Merfeld, Milo