Rosebery’s Frenchies Bistro & Brewery hosted the highly anticipated return of Brewer’s Got Talent last weekend, drawing the event’s largest crowd yet. This annual homebrew competition brought together beer lovers from across the region to sample and vote on the creations of over 12 budding brewers, each presenting up to three beers for public and panel reviews.
The panel of esteemed judges, comprising experts from Beer & Brewer, Cryer Malt, East Coast Canning, The Brew Shop, and Yakima Chief Hops, evaluated the beers based on their quality, aroma, appearance, and flavor to select the winners.
For the first time in the competition’s history, the judges awarded two first-place winners, both of whom will receive a full beer brand launch program at Frenchies. This opportunity allows them to see their brews produced, marketed, and released to the public.
Judges’ Award Winners:
First Place (Tied):
Fervent Brewing’s Dathomir Red IPA (6.8% ABV): This bold, triple dry-hopped Red IPA boasts a robust aroma and flavor profile, brewed in collaboration with The Mad Viking Brewing Co.
Lambley Fambley Home Brew’s Flanders Flower Funk (6.1% ABV): A Flanders Red, this beer offers a harmonious blend of tart cherries, earthy oak, and wild funk, a product of both patience and a touch of chaos.
Second Place:
Fervent Brewing’s Can You Smell Smoke? (8.4% ABV): An imperial stout with a smoky, peated whisky character, this beer features Manuka smoked malt and is a must-try for fans of bold, smoky brews.
Third Place:
Bodacious Brewing’s High Desert Cali Red IPA (6.2% ABV): This hop-forward Red IPA, crafted with a German Pilsner base, impressed with its complex hop profile and clean malt flavor, delivering a dry, satisfying finish.
People’s Choice Award:
The public also had a chance to vote for their favorite beers, with the People’s Choice winner receiving a half-price brew at Frenchies to further develop their homebrewing skills.
First Place:
Excalibur Brewing’s Red SMASH IPA (4.9% ABV): This IPA strikes a perfect balance between malt and hops, offering a deliciously crafted bitterness that keeps drinkers coming back for more.
Second Place:
Coin Hop Beer Co.’s 8-BRIT (3.8% ABV): A traditional British cask ale, this smooth, creamy beer features English toffee malt flavors, balanced with British Fuggle hops.
Third Place:
Bodacious Brewing’s High Desert Cali Red IPA: This beer also secured a spot in the top three of the People’s Choice vote, proving its popularity with the public.
Vince De Soyres, Co-Founder and Brewery Director of Frenchies, expressed his excitement over the competition’s growing impact on the craft beer scene:
“The caliber of talent and creativity among our home brewers continues to rise every year. The two first-place winners this year were true showstoppers, demonstrating exceptional qualities across the board. We look forward to bringing these beers to life and sharing them with beer lovers everywhere.”
As this year’s Brewer’s Got Talent event set new records for attendance and excitement, it remains a pivotal platform for emerging brewers to showcase their skills, connect with industry professionals, and take significant steps toward commercial brewing success.
“Here’s to #BGT26,” De Soyres added, hinting at the continued growth and evolution of this celebrated competition.
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