These are the results of the 2012 Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers competition, the 10th anniversary of the event, held on November 17th, 2012. The event is run by the Illinois Craft Brewer’s Guild and held this year at the Bridgeport art Center – Skyline Loft in Chicago. The National Wood Aged Beer Competition is judged by a panel of industry experts prior to the public sessions. Each beer is judged on the basis of how that underlying style reflects the expression of wood and/or barrel character. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals are awarded in 10 categories as well as “best of show.”

Category 1: Classic Porter/Stout – 12 entries

#1 – Oakshire Brewing – Bourbon Stout
#2 – Goose Island Clybourn Brewpub – Pretty Brown Eyes
#3 – Lakefront Brewery – Rye Barrel Aged Fuel Coffee Stout

Category 2: Strong porter/Stout – 21 entries

#1 – Goose Island Brewing Company – Bourbon County Stout
#2 – Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Indignant
#3 – Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Acrimonious

Category 3: Barleywine/Wheatwine – 16 entries

#1 – Goose Island Wrigleyville Brewpub – Fertile Crescent
#2 – Goose Island – King Henry
#3 – Central Waters Brewing Company – Bourbon Barrel Barleywine

Category 4: Classic Styles (not higher than 7% abv) – 11 entries

#1 – Sun King Brewing Company – Afternoon Delight
#2 – Grand Teton Brewing Company – Barrel-Aged Grand Saison
#3 – Atlas Brewing Company – Oak-Aged Monadnock Rye Ale

Category 5: Strong/Double/Imperial pale Beer – 21 entries

#1 – Cigar City – Humidor IPA
#2 – Solemn Oath Brewery – Ultramegahighfrequency
#3 – Shoreline Brewery – Rillo Rye P.A.

Category 6: Strong/Double/Imperial Dark Beer – 24 entries

#1 – Flossmoor Station Brewing Company – Imperial Schwartz
#2 – Sun King Brewing Company – Pappy Fog
#3 – New Holland Brewing Company – Charkoota Rye

Category 7: Fruit Beer – 14 entries

#1 – Goose Island Brewing Company – Cherry Rye Bourbon County Stout
#2 – Three Floyds Brewing Company – Ronaldo
#3 – Solemn Oath Brewery – Radth

Category 8: Experimental Beer – 18 entries

#1 – The Lost Abbey – Track #8
#2 – Perennial Artisan Ales – Barrel Aged Abraxas
#3 – The Lost Abbey – track #10

Category 9:  Wild Beer – 9 entries

#1 – Flossmoor Station – .357 Brett
#2 – New Belgium Brewing Company – Biere de Peach Barrel
#3 – Goose Island Brewing Company – Madam rose

Category 10: Wild Acidic Beer – 27 entries

#1 – The Lost Abbey – Track#9
#2 – Bear Republic Brewing Company – Cuvee de Bubba
#3 – New Belgium Brewing Company – Eric’s Ale

Best Of Show

#1 – Goose Island Brewing Company – Cherry Rye Bourbon County Stout
#2 – The Lost Abbey – Track #8