On December 7, 2016, homebrew-savvy Capitol Hill staffers gathered at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C., for the first-ever Capitol Hill Staff Homebrew Competition Award Ceremony.
“The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) organized this competition to celebrate those Capitol Hill staff members who homebrew, and to increase awareness of homebrewing on Capitol Hill,” explained AHA National Homebrew Competition Director John Moorhead.
Fourteen entries were submitted to the inaugural competition, mostly consisting of Belgian and wheat ales. Eight certified beer judges and professional brewers evaluated the entries and dubbed a winner in a standard Best of Show judging format.
The Best of Show award—including a School House Rock-inspired trophy—went to Chris Anderson and Matt Buckham of Senator Bill Cassidy’s (R-Louisiana) office for his double IPA. “Chris’ entry was very well done—intense hoppiness, rounded by a rich, big malt backbone,” shared Moorhead. “It was smooth to drink, despite coming in at 8.5 percent ABV.”
The runner-up was Noah Oppenheim of Representative Jared Huffman’s (D-California) office for his Bière de Garde.
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