A Labor of Love

 

The humble homebrewer toils away in garages and basements like a mad scientist, mixing, boiling, and measuring to create the perfect brew. These talented artists are the future of Texas craft beer and a handful will go on to create new breweries around our state. But first, they must introduce themselves and their beer to the communities that will support them.  

This weekend, the Deep Ellum Brewing Company (DEBC) hosted its 2nd Annual Labor of Love Homebrew Competition featuring more than 40 Dallas/Fort Worth area homebrewers. The homebrewers were required to offer up their own unique recipes using only the products provided by the brewery. The resulting beers were then judged on a variety of criteria to determine several categories of winners. Winners walked away with a little fame, recognition, and an artful beer case. The overall winning brew and brewer, determined by DEBC’s panel of judges, earned the honor to have their recipe produced by DEBC and served in the brewery’s tap room.

Undeterred by the 100-degree temperatures inside and outside, the local communities came together to welcome and support the new talent of DFW. The sight was uplifting. Participants were given a cold beer, aside from their tasting glasses and cards, to battle the heat and a red ticket to vote for their favorite (People’s Choice) homebrew. As we moved from table to table sampling innovative brews, the chatter of beer enthusiasts echoed in the hall and positive energy resonated throughout. The homebrewers were as excited to showcase their beers and win that ticket as the guests were to taste and vote for their favorite brew. The People’s Choice winner was Oak Highlands Brewery with a smooth tripel named Freaky Deaky.

This year’s Labor of Love overall winner was Mox Nix Brewery, whose brewers Ed Koranda and Greg Christiansen won for the Best Malt Beer and Best in Show. The Dubya Weizenbock will soon be available on tap at DEBC.

Other winners:

Best Whim Beer (and my personal favorite)
Brewers: Thomas Warmath and Jerrod Womack
Brew: Fallen Saison

Best Hoppy Beer
Brewers: Lin Tsung of Night Owl Craft Ales
Brew: Gozer IPA

Best Spicy Ale
Brewer: William Neuman
Brew: Spicy Farmhouse Ale

Best Session Beer
Brewer: Peter Hemmington of Short Shift Brewery
Brew: Marilyn Blond Cream Ale

Best Dark Beer
Brewer: Karl Sandford and Jeremy Brodt of The Manhattan Project
Brew: Edgar Sengier’s Belgican Brown Ale

Best Sour Beer
Brewer: Kimberly Rhea with North Texas Homebrewers Association
Brew: Tartalicious Sour Ale

I was lucky enough to try many of the winners listed above, including my personal choice, the Fallen Saison. There were other brews that deserve recognition as well, including Black Man Brew‘s Dry Stout, Dank Dog‘s Off the Leash Irish Red, Knowles Brothers Craft Brewing‘s Hop Freakness, and Mossberg Brewing‘s Balle de Foin Saison. I salute these brewers for producing some delicious and complex brews. 

Though not everyone could win an award at Labor of Love, the passion and talent that filled the room shows that North Texas has readily embraced the art of craft beer.