Month: March 2017

Red Mrozek Award Winners

Congratulations to all the historical Red Mrozek Award recipients.  Larry “Red” was Tim Herzog’s original partner in starting up Flying Bison Brewing Company, and he tragically lost his life in a 1997 motorcycle accident before Flying Bison opened its doors.  That same year, the Western New York Homebrew Competition (later called “Amber Waves of Grain”) was born and since then the winner of the Strong Ales category receives a special award in Red’s honor.

We’ve compiled this list from the records we were able to find.  For additions or corrections, please contact John Crossett <jpcrossett@gmail.com> or Tim Belczak <tbelczak@niagarabrewers.org>.

  • 1998: David Chudy
  • 1999: Ed D’Anna
  • 2000: Paul Jackson
  • 2002: Keith Curtachio
  • 2003: Ed D’Anna
  • 2004: Dan Cassetta
  • 2005: Paul Dyster
  • 2011: Shawn Kerr
  • 2012: Kyle Costello
  • 2013: Rob Sells
  • 2014: Tim Belczak
  • 2015: Rob Sells
  • 2016: Tim Belczak
  • 2017: Brian Richards
  • 2018: Greg Bogan
  • 2019: John Crossett
  • 2020: Sean Wall
  • 2021: Dominque Burshnick & Donald Burshnick
  • 2022: John Crossett
  • 2023: Evan Brill
  • 2024: Tim Collins

Best of Show Winners: Cider & Mead

Congratulations to all the historical Best of Show (Cider/Mead) winners.  We’ve compiled this list from the records we were able to find.  For additions or corrections, please contact John Crossett <jpcrossett@gmail.com> or Tim Belczak <tbelczak@niagarabrewers.org>.

2004

  • 1st BOS: Kevin Flood & Mick Barnes, NEW ENGLAND STYLE CIDER
  • 2nd BOS: Ed D’Anna, OTHER FRUIT MELOMEL

2005

  • 1st BOS: Todd Snyder, OTHER SPECIALTY CIDER OR PERRY
  • 2nd BOS: Ed Moore, SWEET MEAD
  • 3rd BOS: Brian O’Malley, CYSER
  • Honorable Mention: Keith Bailey, METHEGLIN

2006

  • 1st BOS: Keith Curtachio, OTHER FRUIT MELOMEL
  • 2nd BOS: Ric Cunningham, OPEN CATEGORY MEAD
  • 3rd BOS: Todd Snyder, OTHER SPECIALTY CIDER OR PERRY

2009

  • 1st BOS: Jake & Tom Ocque, SWEET MEAD
  • 2nd BOS: Dan Gestwick, NEW ENGLAND CIDER
  • 3rd BOS: Joseph Schneider, COMMON CIDER

2010

  • 1st BOS: Ric Cunningham, OTHER SPECIALTY CIDER OR PERRY
  • 2nd BOS: Dan Gestwick, OTHER FRUIT MELOMEL
  • 3rd BOS: Thomas Ocque, COMMON CIDER

2011

  • 1st BOS: Mary Lee, OTHER FRUIT MELOMEL
  • 2nd BOS: Brian Salapek, DRY MEAD
  • 3rd BOS: Michael Passino, FRUIT CIDER

2013

  • 1st BOS: Doug Brainard, BRAGGOT
  • 2nd BOS: Patricia Marshall, PYMENT
  • 3rd BOS: Timothy Collins, OTHER SPECIALTY CIDER OR PERRY
  • Honorable Mention: David Johnson, COMMON CIDER

2014

  • 1st BOS: Timothy Collins, OTHER FRUIT MELOMEL
  • 2nd BOS: David Biun, FRUIT CIDER
  • 3rd BOS: Timothy Collins, SWEET MEAD

2015

  • 1st BOS: Robert Hilferding, COMMON CIDER
  • 2nd BOS: Mark Zambron, METHEGLIN
  • 3rd BOS: Tim Collins, SEMI-SWEET MEAD

2017

  • 1st BOS: Dan Gestwick, NEW ENGLAND CIDER
  • 2nd BOS: Robert Schweizer, FRUIT & SPICE MEAD
  • 3rd BOS: Robert Schweizer, MELOMEL

2018

  • 1st BOS: Timothy Collins; TRADITIONAL MEAD
  • 2nd BOS: Robert Schweizer, FLAVORED MEAD
  • 3rd BOS: John DePaolo; FRUIT SPECIFIC CIDER & PERRY
  • Honorable Mention: Neal Steward, COMMON CIDER & PERRY

2019

  • 1st BOS: Phil Boulanger; NEW WORLD CIDER
  • 2nd BOS: Tim Collins, SEMI SWEET MEAD
  • 3rd BOS: Jeffrey Kochems & Gary Kochems, CIDER W/ HERBS/SPICES

2020

  • 1st BOS: Timothy Collins; Spiced, Historical & Experimental Mead
  • 2nd BOS: Timothy Collins; Fruit Mead
  • 3rd BOS: Timothy Collins; Traditional Mead

2021

  • 1st BOS: Benjamin Gilmore & Danae Gilmore; Semi-Sweet Mead
  • 2nd BOS: John Crossett & ABCZ Makers; New World Cider
  • 3rd BOS: Stephen Wilson; Cyser

2022

  • 1st BOS: Ben Gilmore & Danae Gilmore; Stone Fruit Mead
  • 2nd BOS: Timothy Collins; Fruit and Spice Mead
  • 3rd BOS: Bill Boyer; New World Cider

2023

  • 1st BOS: Bill Boyer; Quest For The Holy Grail 2023 ; M2B: Pyment; North Georgia Malt Monkeys
  • 2nd BOS: Bill Boyer; Brother Maynard 2023; M4C: Experimental Mead; North Georgia Malt Monkeys
  • 3rd BOS: Kyle Ducharme; Greensboro; M2E: Melomel; Green Mountain Mashers

2024

  • 1st BOS: Mark Zambron; Bear Market Bochet; M4C: Experimental Mead Niagara Association of Homebrewers
  • 2nd BOS: Brian Milleville; Bubba’s New World Cider; C1A: New World Cider Niagara Association of Homebrewers
  • 3rd BOS: Mark Zambron; Hey Buckwheat!; M1C: Sweet Mead Niagara Association of Homebrewers

Best of Show Winners: Beer

Congratulations to all the historical Best of Show (Beer) winners.  We’ve compiled this list from the records we were able to find.  For additions or corrections, please contact John Crossett <jpcrossett@gmail.com> or Tim Belczak <tbelczak@niagarabrewers.org>.

1997

  • 1st BOS:  Gordon Diffenderfer, Classic Style Herb & Spice
  • 2nd BOS:  David E. Purcell, India Pale Ale

1998

  • 1st BOS: Dave Chudy

1999

  • 1st BOS: Keith Curtachio

2000

  • 1st BOS: Paul Jackson

2001

  • 1st BOS: Thomas R. Heftka, Export 80/-

2002

  • 1st BOS: Dan Gestwik

2003

  • 1st BOS: Dan Cassetta

2004

  • 1st BOS: Erv Brese, Gueuze Style Ale
  • 2nd BOS: Manny Holl, Northern German Pilsner
  • 3rd BOS: Ray Lewis, Munich Dunkel

2005

  • 1st BOS: Manny Holl, Munich Helles
  • 2nd BOS: Randall Contreras, American IPA
  • 3rd BOS: Kevin Flood & Mick Barnes, Old Ale

2006

  • 1st BOS: Gerald & Mark Berdysiak, American Amber Ale
  • 2nd BOS: Joseph Schneider, American IPA
  • 3rd BOS: Manny Holl BOS: Munich Helles

2008

  • 1st BOS: Timothy Collins, Belgian Tripel
  • 2nd BOS: Scott Ofslager, Wood-Aged Beer
  • 3rd BOS: Thomas Ocque, Dry Stout
  • 1st Honorable Mention: Jeff Farrar & Andy Feyl, California Common Beer
  • 2nd Honorable Mention: Rodney Kibzey, Weizenbock

2009

  • 1st BOS: Todd Dirrigl, Strong Bitter/English Pale Ale
  • 2nd BOS: Terry Felton, Wood-Aged Beer
  • 3rd BOS: Todd Snyder, Dortmunder Export
  • Honorable Mention:  Kyle Costello, Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer

2010

  • 1st BOS: Michael Reda, Munich Helles
  • 2nd BOS: Ray Krystofik, Duesseldorf Altbier
  • 3rd BOS: Bob Watkins, Imperial IPA
  • 1st Honorable Mention: Jeff Murbach, Specialty Beer
  • 2nd Honorable Mention: Marty Hanscomb, American Brown Ale

2011

  • 1st BOS: Dan Cassetta, Baltic Porter
  • 2nd BOS: Kyle Costello, Wood-Aged Beer
  • 3rd BOS: Patrick McGrath, Schwarzbier

2012

  • 1st BOS: Dan Cassetta
  • 2nd BOS: Timothy Collins, Imperial Stout

2013

  • 1st BOS: Timothy Collins, Imperial Stout
  • 2nd BOS: Timothy Collins, Dopplebock
  • 3rd BOS: Josh Sled, Fruit Beer

2014

  • 1st BOS: Michael Winter
  • 2nd BOS: Mark Zambron, Northern English Brown Ale
  • 3rd BOS: Terry Felton, Belgian Specialty Ale
  • Honorable Mention: Alex Placito & Eric Stellrecht, American Pale Ale

2015

  • 1st BOS: Robert Pilon, Belgian Blonde Ale
  • 2nd BOS: Thomas Ocque, Imperial IPA
  • 3rd BOS: Scott Kroon, American Wheat/Rye
  • Honorable Mention: Ian Howard, Strong Scotch Ale

2016

  • 1st BOS: Rob Sells, Specialty Beer
  • 2nd BOS: John Crossett, Scottish Ales
  • 3rd BOS: Andy Urban, American Stout
  • Honorable Mention: Adam Kugler, Specialty IPA

2017

  • 1st BOS: Kevin DiTondo, Kolsch
  • 2nd BOS: Kevin DiTondo, Munich Dunkel
  • 3rd BOS: Tim Belczak, Festbier

2018

  • 1st BOS: Craig Sherwood; Specialty Beer
  • 2nd BOS: David Williams; Fruit Beer
  • 3rd BOS: Michael Florez; Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer

2019

  • 1st BOS: Mark Zambron; Gueuze
  • 2nd BOS: Mark Zambron; Eisbock
  • 3rd BOS: Rob Sells; Imperial Stout
  • Honorable Mention: Michael Kanick; American Porter

2020

  • 1st BOS: Daniel Hamm-Johnson; Fruit Beer
  • 2nd BOS: Rick Felser; Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer
  • 3rd BOS: Ken DeMarree; Light Belgian Strong Ale

2021

  • 1st BOS: John Crossett; Irish Extra Stout
  • 2nd BOS: Mark Scibilia; Black IPA
  • 3rd BOS: Leonard Modelewski; Piwo Grodziskie
  • Honorable Mention: Rob Sells; Belgian Dark Strong Ale

2022

  • 1st BOS: Brian Marmoreo; Flanders Red Ale
  • 2nd BOS: Brian Milleville; Trappist Single
  • 3rd BOS: Andrew Urban; Wee Heavy

2023

  • 1st BOS: Mark Scibilia; Smoke From The Malter, Fire In Disguise; 32A: Classic Style Smoked Beer
    Niagara Association of Homebrewers
  • 2nd BOS: Bill Serowski; Thunder Snow Porter; 13C: English Porter
  • 3rd BOS: Brian Milleville; Trappist Single V2; 26A: Belgian Single; Niagara Association of Homebrewers

2024

  • 1st BOS: Brian Milleville; Creamy Blend; 1C: Cream Ale; Niagara Association of Homebrewers
  • 2nd BOS: Sam Tischler, Bob Charboneau; Black Button Beast; 33A: Wood-Aged Beer; Upstate NY Homebrewers Assn
  • 3rd BOS: Bob Charboneau, Deron Weet ;Jack And Joe’s Sour Cherry 2; 28C: Wild Specialty Beer Upstate NY Homebrewers Assn
  • Honorable Mention: Brian Milleville; Kelly’s Sour (She Is The Best!); 29A: Fruit Beer Niagara Association of Homebrewers

AWOG 2017 Winners

Thanks to all who entered and everyone who volunteered. Our 21st year was another outstanding success!

Congratulations to all the winners who took home some amazing prizes thanks to our generous sponsors:

Best of Show - Beer

Best of Show

Kevin DiTondo, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Continental Bitter Beer
Penelty Kill Kolsch

2nd Best of Show

Kevin DiTondo, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Dark Lager
Dangle Dunkel

3rd Best of Show

Tim Belczak, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Amber & Seasonal Lagers
Sweater Vest Fest

Honorable Mention

Russell Byington, The Brewing Network
British Beer
British Me Mild

Best of Show - Mead and Cider

Best of Show

Dan Gestwick, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Specialty Cider
Tom Brady Had Nothing To Do With The Brewing Of This Cider

2nd Best of Show

Robert Schweizer, SoChe Meadery
Specialty Mead
Kakaw Fruit Bomb

3rd Best of Show

Robert Schweizer, SoChe Meadery
Fruit Mead
Admiral Morrison

Light Lager

First Place

Kevin DiTondo, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Coast To Coast Cream Ale

Second Place

John Hyman
Highway To Helles

Third Place

John Hyman
Stars & Strips

Amber & Seasonal Lager

First Place

Tim Belczak, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Sweater Vest Fest

Second Place

Brian Richards
F5 Erneuern

Third Place

William Serowski, Das Hausbrauers
Spoktoberfest, Live Long And Prosper

Continental Bitter Beer

First Place

Kevin DiTondo, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Penelty Kill Kolsch

Second Place

Dan Cassetta, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Colonel Klink Alt

Third Place

Mark Zambron, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Czech Engine Light

Dark Lager

First Place

Kevin DiTondo, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Dangle Dunkel

Second Place

Chris Saunders & Virginie Corneau, HOZER
Babbys’ First Schwarzbier

Third Place

Geoff Heusinger & Mike Eagan, Crooked Lampost Brewing Club
Oprah’s Weight Loss Secret

Bock

First Place

Scott Kroon, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Doofenshmirtz Doppelanator

Second Place

Kevin DiTondo & John Crossett, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Another Miracle On Ice

Third Place

Albe Pilon & Eric Militello, Tom Piwtorak; Niagara Association Of Homebrewers
Trios Dopple Bock

Wheat Beer

First Place

Mark Zambron, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Glutenous Maximus

Second Place

Robert Pilon, Former Member of Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Wiener Schnitzel

Third Place

Scott Kroon, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Make American Wheat Again

British Beer

First Place

Russell Byington, The Brewing Network
British Me Mild

Second Place

Ian Howard & Aaron Ohar
Hay Bale Ale

Third Place

Brian Richards
ESB

Scottish & Irish Red Ale

First Place

Edward Colman
Beaver Club

Second Place

Donald Burch
Irish Red Ale

Third Place

Russell Byington, The Brewing Network
Nelly’s Mystical Ale

Heavy Stout

First Place

Geoff Heusinger & Mike Eagan, Crooked Lampost Brewing Club
Have You Seen Ben’s Turtleneck

Second Place

Trevor Riley, Alfred/Almond Guild
KanAmStout

Third Place

Andrew Urban, Sultans of Swig
Sitting By The Fire With My Cocoa Stout

Porter

First Place

Andrew House
Kitchen Sink Porter

Second Place

Joe DuFresne
Helms Deep

Third Place

Marcus Palmisano & Tom & Timmy; Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Is This A Stout Or A Porter?

Honorable Mention

Kevin DiTondo, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Power Play Porter

Heavy Ale

First Place

Brian Richards
Hurricane Bawbag

Second Place

Timothy Collins, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Christmas Eve

Third Place

Tom Bacon, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Up Your Kilt

Pale American Ale

First Place

Jeffrey Baker
JB APA1

Second Place

Mark Zambron, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Dorada Pampeana

Third Place

Jeffrey Baker
Blonde Bubbles

American Amber & Brown

First Place

Ian Calder & Ben Hamm, Crooked Lamp Post Brewing Club
Ben Took The Brown Eye Flight Home

Second Place

Collin Corcoran & Drew Celestino, Sultans of Swig
Call The Amberlamps

Third Place

Tim Belczak, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Single Hop Amber #07270

Common Stout

First Place

Peter Woodworth, Salt City Brew Club
Four Clover Milk Stout

Second Place

Russell Byington, The Brewing Network
Oat N’ Grain

Third Place

Zachary Puca
Just In Time

American IPA

First Place

Eric Stellrecht & Alex Placito, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
A.P.E.S. IPA

Second Place

Jeffrey Baker
JB IPA1

Third Place

Jeffrey Baker
B47

Specialty IPA

First Place

Adam Akers & Evelyn Akers
Blaze On IPA

Second Place

Scott Kroon, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Little Red

Third Place

Matthew Lehde
Foolish Ambition DDH NE IPA

Strong Ale

First Place

Neal Steward, Brewbonic Plague
Definitely Not A Session Ale

Second Place

Alexander Buckley, Sultans of Swig
Old Ben Kenobi

Third Place

Phil Boulanger, UNYHA
Big Decisions

Honorable Mention

Tim Belczak, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
About Damn Time, Barleywine (2013)

Sour Beer

First Place

Mark Zambron, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Kriekside Cherry

Second Place

Sean Wall & Marcus Pamisano, & Mark W.; Niagara Association of Homebrewers
2016 Random Trios Berliner

Third Place

Bob Charboneau, Deron Weet & Steve Schaefer; UNYHA
KD’s Sour Cherry

Belgian Light Ale

First Place

Brian Richards
Russian Golden Shower

Second Place

Tim Belczak, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Niagara Homegrown 100% Niagara Malt BGS

Third Place

Dan Cassetta, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Tintin

Double IPA

First Place

Jay Locke & Chris
Western IIPA

Second Place

Alexander Buckley & Devin Carman, Sultans of Swig
Loose Nugget

Third Place

Rich Carroll, Stoney Creek Homebrewers
Mas Guapo

Saison

First Place

Scott Ackerson
Copperleaf Saison

Second Place

Jim  Wieand & Andy/Mike Schalberg; 1983
Saison

Third Place

Alexander Buckley & Devin Carman, Sultans of Swig
Frenchie

Belgian Dark Ale

First Place

Andrew Urban, Sultans of Swig
Grog’s Fest Ale

Second Place

Erik Reinheimer
2014 Quadrupel

Third Place

Tim Belczak, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
12 Westies (2014)

Specialty Beer

First Place

Craig Sherwood, UNYHA
Samoa Cookie

Second Place

Terry Felton, Sultans of Swig
Hopped Gose The Wheatsel

Third Place

Brian Richards
B.Rye

American Wild Ale

First Place

Ken DeMarree, Alex Placito, Eric Stellrecht & Jeannie Alexander; Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Small Boned Royal Son

Second Place

Chris Saunders, HOZER
Just Add More Things, That’ll Fix It

Third Place

Ken DeMarree, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Sundried Sour

Fruit Beer

First Place

Mark Zambron, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Grape Ape

Second Place

Rob Sells, The Crooked Lamp Post Brewing
Imperial Berry Patch Stout

Third Place

Jeffrey Baker
UpHill Battle3

Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer

First Place

Craig Sherwood, UNYHA
Xoco

Second Place

Mark Scibilia, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Cafe Du Porter

Third Place

Phil Boulanger, UNYHA
Aztec Stout

Imperial Stout

First Place

Andrew Urban, Sultans of Swig
To Russia With Love

Second Place

Timothy Collins, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
SS RIS

Third Place

John Crossett & Tim Collins & Michael Conley; Niagara Association of Homebrewers
A Stubborn Stuck MFing Stout

Smoked Beer

First Place

Brian Meyer & Corey Dudish
Crimson Cobra

Second Place

Wally Kopinski Sr, Wally Kopinski Jr, Charlie Pilon, Roger L & Dan Baish (NAH, Sultans)
Smoke On The Water

Third Place

Tim Belczak & Tom Piwtorak, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Roycroft 100% NY Craft Malt Smoked Festbier

Wood-Aged Beer

First Place

Andrew Urban, Sultans of Swig
Deep Cavern Dark

Second Place

Weston Wright, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Keep Pounding

Third Place

Brian Richards
Oaked Hurricane Bawbag

Honorable Mention

Peter Marra, Niagara Association of Home Brewers
Brave Heart

Traditional Mead

First Place

Michael ClarkPywar & MCP, Saratoga Thorougbrews
Devil’s Braggot

Second Place

Mark Zambron, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Bubbly Bee

Third Place

Robert Schweizer, SoChe Meadery
Pavel

Fruit Mead

First Place

Robert Schweizer, SoChe Meadery
Admiral Morrison

Second Place

Steven Landgren, Upstate NY Homebrewers Association
Just Peachy

Third Place

Mark Zambron, Michael Aronica & William Blymire; Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Missing In-Cyser

Specialty Mead

First Place

Robert Schweizer, SoChe Meadery
Kakaw Fruit Bomb

Second Place

Timothy Collins & Dr. Mark, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
FU Crossett

Third Place

Dan Baish & Tony Cefali; Sultans of Swig, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Honeymoon Mead

Common Cider & Perry

First Place

Jeffrey Kochems, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Applewien W Yeast

Second Place

John Hyman
Apple Obsession

Third Place

John Hyman
Happy Orchards

Specialty Cider

First Place

Dan Gestwick, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Tom Brady Had Nothing To Do With The Brewing Of This Cider

Second Place

Sean Hill
Bourbonic Plague

Third Place

James Gorman, Niagara Association of Homebrewers
New England CB

Honorable Mention

Mark Zambron, Michael Winter & Michael Aronica, Michael Murray; Niagara Association of Homebrewers
Japplepeno & Molasses


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