[Lexington, KY] –Alltech’s Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.’s roots in Kentucky craft brewing are the impetus behind its annual Pro-Am Brew-Off, which inspires spirited competition among local craft brewers with its alluring prize package of production, distribution and entrance into the Great American Beer Festival. This year’s winning craft beer – Hopfield and McCoy by Kurt Greivenkamp, Scott Roseburrough and Brandon Nevil, owners of Cock & Bull in Covington, Ky.’s Mainstrasse Village – taps into a sordid tale of family feud.
Described as a “shotgun blast to the tastebuds,” Hopfield and McCoy is a deep golden Imperial India Pale Ale with an assertive bitterness balanced by a malty backbone. Its pine aroma gives way to a citrus aftertaste and full body. Hopfield and McCoy emerged as the winner amongst 22 entries, which were critiqued by a panel of judges based on their appearance, flavor, mouth feel, color and overall likability.
“This was the first time we have entered the beer in a competition,” said brewer Kurt Greivenkamp. “To be the winning brew is a remarkable feat, and we could not be more proud.”
Grievenkamp suspects that the brew took first place thanks to its extremely fragrant hop aroma, caramel and citrus malt flavors as well as its unmistakably fluffy white head. The finish, he described, is “worthy of a family feud.”
Hopfield and McCoy IPA will be entered along with Alltech’s own brews in the 2012 Great American Beer Festival running October 11 through 13 in Denver, Colo. The festival draws visitors from all over the world with the opportunity to sample more than 1,800 different American beers from more than 450 breweries. More than 100 international judges evaluate the entries, and gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded in 75 categories.
A large batch of the winning Hopfield and McCoy brew will be produced and available for a limited time in select bars and restaurants in Ohio and Kentucky where Alltech’s trio of beers — Kentucky Ale, Kentucky Light and Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale — are served.
The Kentucky Brew-Off competition is held each summer at Alltech’s Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co. to kick off American Craft Beer Week. Homebrewers provide all equipment and materials, except water and yeast, which are provided by Alltech. In past years, the majority of entrants have come from the local homebrewing club, but the event is beginning to attract brewers from throughout the region. This year is the first time that the winner has come from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area.
For more information about the Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co., visit www.kentuckyale.com.
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