2005 Spooky Brew Review Winners

Amazingly, Spooky Brew 2005 was the biggest ever: this year we judged 176 entries across all beer, mead, cider, Spooky (scariest), and Smashed Pumpkin (Worst of Show) categories. A bloodcurdling cry of appreciation goes out to Mike Burns, brewers Ryan Clooney and Rob Hunter, and the helpful staff at the Emmett's Tavern & Brewing Company, who served as gracious hosts for a second year in a row, this time at the new Palatine location. If you haven't been there before, you're in for a real treat - it's an impressive place with outstanding food and beer. Also look out for a new Emmett's Ale House, opening soon in Oswego.

Congratulations to all the entrants, and not just the winners listed here. We're glad you entered and hope you found the competition worthwhile. Of course, we couldn't have the SBR without all the dedicated judges and stewards who traveled from near and far to help us out. Great work was done by all. Special thanks to Creative Director Zemo Holat and Cooler Boss LuAnn Fitzpatrick. Also a hearty handclasp to Steve McKenna and Jeff Sparrow, who helped registration go very smoothly.

Our Best-of-Show panel included 3 top judges: Tom Fitzpatrick and Jeff Sparrow from CBS and Joel Plutchak from BUZZ in Urbana. The rigors of co-organization meant that Steve Hamburg could avoid the usual nausea and stomach pumping after judging the Spooky and Smashed Pumpkin entries, but Gordon Strong (DRAFT), Joe Formanek (UKG), and Ron Stazuk (UKG) couldn't avoid it. The barf quotient was suitably high for the winners of both categories, but let's face it - many of the entries have been decidedly too beer-like. Come on, folks! We know you can do better in overall goofiness. OK, maybe next year...

We really owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our great sponsors and prize donors. In particular, we'd like to single out Beer, Beer & More Beer for donating the fabulous BOS prize (a stainless steel plate wort chiller valued at $89!) and other cool items. But our other sponsors were also quite generous. They included (alphabetically): Brewers Association/Brewers Publications, Brewers Supply Group, Freshops, Perfect Brewing Supply, Siebel Institute, Stawski Imports, Two Brothers Brewing Company, White Labs, and Wyeast Laboratories. Remember these fine folks when you're buying beer or homebrewing supplies.

Hope you'll join us again next year at another Chicago area brewpub or brewery that's brave enough to host us!

Return to CBS Home Page Winners continued ...