Lucky number 13 for Homebrew Festival as weather holds off in Bennington

Vermont Business Magazine (published May 2, 2023)

Although the day started with a steady rain, by the time the gates opened for the thirteenth Homebrew Festival produced by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber and Hopridge Farms, the weather had turned and the rain had stopped. Cloudy with a high of 50 degrees, the loyal crowd enjoyed a large variety of amateur brew at the festival in downtown Bennington, Vermont this past Saturday.  The festival topped out at over 500 attendees, brewers, vendors, sponsors and volunteers.

The festival opened its doors at noon to exclusive VIP ticket holders for a private tasting of both regional food and brews. The general ticket holders were able to attend from 1pm - 4pm

The festival invited the Northeast’s top homebrewers who brought with them their own personal, home brewed beer, cider, mead, braggot and wine.  The home breweries in attendance were competing for a chance to be crowned "Best VIP Hour Beverage," “Best Overall Brewery,” and “Best Overall Beverage.” The festival also welcomed back a professional panel of brewers to judge the homebrews.  This panel of judges included: Judge Organizer Seth Barrows of Farm Road Brewing, Joey Nerney Sales Rep. a Calmont Beverage Company, Justin Maturo owner of Valley Craft Ales, Sean Dunleavy owner of Harvest Brewing Company, Orion Howard owner of Bright Ideas Brewing, and Ryan Scheswohl Head Distiller at The Village Garage Distillery.

In addition, the festival invited home chefs to compete in a home chef challenge by providing voting patrons chilis, soups, and chowders and the ability to vote on the best. 

The festival awarded the following:

  • Home Chef Challenge: Kevin Lynch

  • VIP Hour:

  1. Side Gig Brewery: PBJ, Peanut Butter, and Jelly Sour Smoothie

  2. Three Teachers Brewing: Lithuanian Inspired Stone Beer

  3. Beerfort Brewing: Black Sunshine, Imperial Dessert Stout brewed with pretzels and peanuts

  • Best overall Beer: 

  1. Sax Brewing: Blood Thirsty Orange, Kettle sour bursting with Blood Orange

  2. Three Way Tie: River Valley Brewing, Mosaic; Three Teachers Brewing, Kentucky Common; Beerfort Brewing, Face to the Floor: New England Triple IPA

  • Best Non-Beer:

  1. Three Girls Brewing: Peachberry Fizz, Strawberry Peach Lemonade Seltzer

  2. Sax Brewing: Flame Throwin' Mango, Hard Cider with Mango and Habanero

  3. The Jolly Fool Brews: Jolly Water, Hard Seltzer with Blueberries and Raspberries

  • Best Brewery:

  1. Three Girls Brewing

  2. Sax Brewing

  3. Three Teachers Brewing

  • Best Professionally Judged Beverage:

    • 1st: Whole Nother Level Brewing: Storming near the Baltic, Baltic Porter

    • 2nd: Marshall Mash Brew Lab: A Little Fuzzy Brett Saison

    • 3rd: Intolerance Brewing: Van Doos Joos, NEIPA

The festival producers wish to thank the 30 plus volunteers who helped out at the festival, as well as the sponsors including Presenting Sponsor Coggins Auto Group, VIP Sponsor Fidium Fiber, DJ Sponsor The Bank of Bennington, Brewer Sponsor Silver Therapeutics, Food Sponsor Hannaford, Vendor Sponsors Ramunto’s and Elm Street Market, Venue and Home Chef First Place Prize Sponsor JK Adams, Media Sponsor Vermont News & Media and CAT-TV, On Draft Sponsor Farm Road Brewing, and the festival host, Bennington Sports Center.

The Homebrew Festival will return for a fall edition on Saturday, October 7 2023 at the same location on School Street. For more information on the Homebrew Festivals visit: https://www.vthomebrewfests.com/.

DRINKMatthew Harringtonhomepage, home page