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Wortapalooza

Thanks to all who participated in the Wortapalooza.

There were 251 entries judged and 197 registered participants, judges, and stewards.

Best of Show Winners

Best of Show – Beer

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stJim SilversteinJim's High Life1B: American LagerClub Wort
2ndKyle ErnsbergerMean Brews Czech Premium Pale Lager3B: Czech Premium Pale LagerCider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)
3rdJim SilversteinOle' Quad26D: Belgian Dark Strong AleClub Wort

Best of Show – Mead

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stDan AchesonThe Semi-Sweetest Of CloversM1B: Semi-Sweet MeadUrban Knaves of Grain
HMJonathan GreeneLet The Dead Berry The DeadM2C: Berry MeadBeer Barons of Milwaukee

Winning Entries

Table 1: American Lawnmower Beers (12 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJim SilversteinJim's High Life1B: American LagerClub Wort
2ndChad Faulstick MHPChettyweiser1A: American Light LagerWheeling Alers
3rdGillian Muller-GreyzNever Drank Beer In College1B: American LagerEvanston Homebrew Club

Table 2: International Lagers (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stDirk Montgomery MHPCzech It Out!2C: International Dark LagerRed Earth Brewers
2ndJonathan Marut MHPBonus Nachos2A: International Pale Lager Horsemen of the Hopocalypse
3rdTom Luers MHPKickin' Back International Lager2A: International Pale LagerButler County Brewing Society (BCBS)

Table 3: Czech Pale Lagers (4 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stKyle Ernsberger MHPMean Brews Czech Premium Pale Lager3B: Czech Premium Pale LagerCider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)
2ndAdam SkjefstadCzech Please Pils3A: Czech Pale LagerRiver City Brewers [MN]
3rdEric DolenKing Me3B: Czech Premium Pale LagerClub Wort

Table 4: Czech Amber and Dark Lagers (4 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stEric HammelVltavou Lager3C: Czech Amber Lager
2ndGregory Sanial MHPWhy Is Appearance Only Worth Three Points?3C: Czech Amber LagerPrimeTime Brewers
3rdEric HammelHnoza Koza Dark3D: Czech Dark Lager

Table 5: Munich Helles (7 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBrett Vodicka MHPChicken Lollipop4A: Munich HellesIlliana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)
2ndDirk Montgomery MHPHelles Belles4A: Munich HellesRed Earth Brewers
3rdMike Neville MHPPizzaBier4A: Munich HellesLagerBoyz

Table 6: Strong German Pale Lagers (7 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stDaniel Kukuk MHPWalleye Run4C: Helles BockLagerboyz
2ndDavid BanksFestbier4B: FestbierClub Wort
3rdMarc RiordanHunny Bunny4C: Helles Bock

Table 7: German Pale Bitter Beers (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBryant JurgensmeyerZisch!5A: German LeichtbierThe Brü Club
2ndJason Musgrave MHP
Co-Brewer: Caleb Dunn		Busty Bee5B: Kölsch
3rdPaul SmietanaPaul SMIETANA5B: KölschClub Wort

Table 8: Pilsners (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBryant JurgensmeyerGrandpa's Pils5D: German PilsThe Brü Club
2ndWayne DoucetteEx-Schaumburg Resident's German Pils5D: German PilsRiver City Brewers [MN]
3rdMarc RiordanNo Frills Pils5D: German Pils

Table 9: German Amber and Dark Beer (10 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBrandon Edwards MHPThe Schwartz Is Strong...8B: SchwarzbierLagerboyz
2ndBrian Carpenter106A: MärzenBrewing Innovators and Enthusiasts of Rhinelander (BIER)
3rdDerek EnglandMärz Madness6A: MärzenClub Wort

Table 10: German Wheat and Rye (6 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stDan Acheson MHPThe Wise Ram10C: Weizenbock Urban Knaves of Grain
2ndArt Kim MHPLee Elia And The Multi-Fold Of Madness27A8: RoggenbierIlliana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)
3rdDirk Montgomery MHPEl Jefe10A: WeissbierRed Earth Brewers

Table 11: British Ales (14 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stSebastian Seith MHP
Co-Brewer: Calvin Seith		So (Low) Bitter11C: Strong BitterBrixie's Brewers
2ndJoe Skiles MHPTeam America12A: British Golden AleUrban Knaves of Grain
3rdEdward SalseEdward's Best Bitter11B: Best BitterNorth Urban Brewing Society (NUBS)

Table 12: Irish and Scottish Ales (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBen NelsonHighland Braw14C: Scottish Export
2ndJohn GuilfoilRed Headed Stepchild15A: Irish Red AleClub Wort
3rdStephen Schmitt MHPWilliam Wallace14C: Scottish ExportEvanston Homebrew Club

Table 13: Porters (4 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBill Ports
Co-Brewer: Billy Ports		WC Porter9C: Baltic Porter
2ndScott Estlund MHPSo...I Got A Thing For Feet!20A: American PorterThe Brü Club
3rdZach Fritts MHPObituary13C: English PorterClub Wort

Table 14: Stouts (6 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stScott Estlund MHPFootsteps In The Night!16A: Sweet StoutThe Brü Club
2ndDaniel Kukuk MHPMidnight Island16C: Tropical StoutLagerboyz
3rdDirk Montgomery MHPOld Walking Stick15C: Irish Extra StoutRed Earth Brewers

Table 15: American Blonde and Pale Ales (14 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stSteven Offutt479 Blonde18A: Blonde AleOzark Zymurgists
2ndJason Musgrave MHP
Co-Brewer: Caleb Dunn		Defend The West18B: American Pale Ale
3rdBrett Vodicka MHPMurder Hornet18B: American Pale AleIlliana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)

Table 16: American Amber and Brown Ales (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stMarc Riordan3 Second Amber19A: American Amber Ale
2ndSteven OffuttSierra's Brown19C: American Brown AleOzark Zymurgists
3rdJohn GuilfoilJohn Brown's Body19C: American Brown AleClub Wort

Table 17: Barleywines and Imperial Stouts (9 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stTimothy Pratt MHPWhen LIFE Gives You Barleywine17D: English Barley WineBrew Haven
2ndStephen Schmitt MHPRancor22C: American BarleywineEvanston Homebrew Club
3rdSamuel PersichilliShaolin20C: Imperial StoutHangar 41 Brew Club
HMDirk Montgomery MHPTsar's Choice20C: Imperial StoutRed Earth Brewers

Table 18: American and Double IPAs (6 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJoe Skiles MHPMy Finger Is On The Button21A: American IPAUrban Knaves of Grain
2ndBen Gaylord MHPCleansed By Fire22A: Double IPAUltra Rare Brewers
3rdDmitri TymosBarney The Welder22A: Double IPAClub Wort

Table 19: Hazy IPAs (9 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBryant JurgensmeyerLow Visibility21C: Hazy IPAThe Brü Club
2ndMike LawlerYou Lika Da Juice?21C: Hazy IPANorth Urban Brewing Society (NUBS)
3rdNick DeFaeSlava Ukraini21C: Hazy IPA

Table 20: Specialty IPAs (13 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBen NelsonHazy Mudpuppy21B: Specialty IPA
2ndKyle Ernsberger MHPMean Brews Black IPA21B2: Black IPA Cider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)
3rdWayne DoucetteColdest IPA Ever!21B: Specialty IPA River City Brewers [MN]

Table 21: Lower ABV Belgian Ales (6 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stShaun Huggins MHPThat's No Moon24A: WitbierSan Antonio Cerveceros
2ndBen Gaylord MHPWit And Wisdom24A: WitbierUltra Rare Brewers
3rdRon Barnes MHPDa Pope26A: Belgian SingleKansas City Bier Meisters

Table 22: Saisons (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stMatthew Mead MHPGS Saison25B: Saison LagerBoyz
2ndRyan Kuhn
Co-Brewer: Jack Churchill		Saison 225B: Saison
3rdBen Gaylord MHPSpace Hippie25B: Saison Ultra Rare Brewers

Table 23: Higher ABV Belgian Ales (10 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJim SilversteinOle' Quad26D: Belgian Dark Strong AleClub Wort
2ndMark WestmeyerThe Creeper25C: Belgian Golden Strong AleBrewers of South Suburbia (BOSS)
3rdKevin Wojdak MHPElk Grove Village Zot25A: Belgian Blond AleUrban Knaves of Grain

Table 24: European Sours (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBrian Stephens MHPGose ++23G: GoseLagerBoyz
2ndDan Acheson MHPLambicus23D: LambicUrban Knaves of Grain
3rdMatthew Mead MHPBerliner Weisse23A: Berliner WeisseLagerBoyz

Table 25: American Wild Ales (7 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJim SilversteinFunk It Up28D: Straight Sour BeerClub Wort
2ndBrandon Edwards MHPPit-Iful28C: Wild Specialty Beer Lagerboyz
3rdShaun Huggins MHPScruffy Lookin Nerf Herder: Blackberries & Gin28C: Wild Specialty Beer San Antonio Cerveceros

Table 26: Fruit and Spice Beers (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stShaun Huggins MHPYub Nub29D: Grape Ale San Antonio Cerveceros
2ndMatthew Mead MHPGRIT - WAKE UP WITH A ROAR!30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer LagerBoyz
3rdTimothy Pratt MHPShakin' It!29B: Fruit and Spice Beer Brew Haven

Table 27: Smoke and Wood (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJonathan GreeneAnd The Mountain Quaked Violently32A: Classic Style Smoked Beer Beer Barons of Milwaukee
2ndJoe Skiles MHPOak Aged Calculating Infinity33A: Wood-Aged Beer Urban Knaves of Grain
3rdSamuel Persichilli
Co-Brewer: Devin Nelson		Deep In Their Hearts They Remembered Hell6B: RauchbierHangar 41 Brew Club

Table 28: Historical Beers (6 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stDaniel Kukuk MHPCumberland Cruiser27A2: Kentucky CommonLagerboyz
2ndJames SchuylerImperial Alt V 1.027A: Historical Beer
3rdBrett Vodicka MHPKonky Dong27A6: Pre-Prohibition LagerIlliana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)

Table 29: Mixed Style and Experimental Beers (6 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stAdam Reynolds MHPCItra Wow34C: Experimental Beer Miami Area Society of Homebrewers (MASH)
2ndMark NiemczewskiWest Coast Pils34B: Mixed-Style Beer Club Wort
3rdMichael WulffDaddy Beer: Hoppy Pilsner34B: Mixed-Style Beer INSTABHility

Table 30: Standard Cider and Perry (6 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stZach Fritts MHPBrekkie ClassicC1A: New World CiderClub Wort
2ndEdward O'NeillBitter Me TimbersC1B: English CiderSTLBrewhogs
3rdDan Acheson MHPL'AnglaisC1B: English CiderUrban Knaves of Grain

Table 31: Specialty Cider and Perry (7 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stArt Kim MHPJerry SiderC2B: Cider with Other Fruit Illiana Beer Rackers Union (IBRU)
2ndDennis SageRaspberry BeretC2B: Cider with Other Fruit Midnight Carboys
3rdKevin Wojdak MHPLemondroppedC2E: Cider with Herbs/Spices Urban Knaves of Grain

Table 32: Traditional Mead (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stDan Acheson MHPThe Semi-Sweetest Of CloversM1B: Semi-Sweet MeadUrban Knaves of Grain
2ndIlija MelentijevicFlagshipM1B: Semi-Sweet Mead
3rdDaniel Kukuk MHPBig WaveM1B: Semi-Sweet MeadLagerboyz

Table 33: Fruit Meads (9 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJonathan GreeneLet The Dead Berry The DeadM2C: Berry Mead Beer Barons of Milwaukee
2ndJoe Skiles MHP2024 Kukui Blossom CyserM2A: CyserUrban Knaves of Grain
3rdMike AsquiniVikings Blood MeadM2E: Melomel Club Wort

Table 34: Spiced and Specialty Meads (10 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stGarrett Freeman MHPI Swear It's Not ApplesauceM3A: Fruit and Spice Mead Red Earth Brewers
2ndCody Lester MHPGingered Greens, So Yum YumM3B: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Mead Central Arkansas Fermenters
3rdIlija MelentijevicStary BoczekM4B: Historical Mead
Launch Awards Presentation

Past Winners

Judging Sessions

Session 1 - Perfect Brewing Supply
06/16/2025 7:00 PM, CDT.

Session 7 - AG Stein Brewery
06/17/2025 5:00 PM, CDT.

Session 2 - Church Street Brewing
06/18/2025 7:00 PM, CDT.

Session 3 - Phase Three Brewing (Lake Zurich)
06/20/2025 7:00 PM, CDT.

Session 4 - Phase Three Brewing (Lake Zurich)
06/21/2025 9:00 AM, CDT.

Session 5 - Phase Three Brewing (Lake Zurich)
06/21/2025 12:00 PM, CDT.

Session 6 - Phase Three Brewing (Lake Zurich)
06/21/2025 3:00 PM, CDT.

Account Registration Closed

Account registrations accepted 04/21/2025 8:00 AM, CDT through 06/16/2025 7:00 PM, CDT.

Registrations for judges or stewards accepted 04/21/2025 8:00 AM, CDT through 06/15/2025 5:00 PM, CDT.

Entry Registration Closed

The competition paid entry limit has been reached.

Entry Drop-Off Closed

Entry bottles accepted at drop-off locations 06/01/2025 8:00 AM, CDT — 06/13/2025 5:00 PM, CDT.

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.

Entry Shipping Closed

Entry bottles accepted at the shipping location 06/01/2025 8:00 AM, CDT — 06/13/2025 5:00 PM, CDT.