These are the results of the 2014 Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers competition, the 12th anniversary of the event, held on November 14th and 15th, 2014. The event is run by the Illinois Craft Brewer’s Guild and held this year at the UIC Forum 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 11 categories as well as “best of show.”

This year there were 275 entries from 112 different breweries.
In 2013 there were 213 entries from 95 breweries, 2013 results here.
In 2012 there were 173 entries, 2012 results here.
in 2011 there were some entries, 2011 results here.

Best Of Show
#1 – Port Brewing Company – Veritas 013
#2 – Perennial Artisan Ales – Barrel-Aged Abraxas

Category 1: Classic Porter/Stout – 11 entries (2013 was 11 entries, 2012 was 12 entries)

#1 – Saugatuck Brewing Co. – Barrel Aged Oatmeal Stout
#2 – 5 Rabbit Cerveceria – Barrel Aged Yodo Con Leche
#3 – Perrin Brewing Companny – Lil’ Griz

Category 2: Strong porter/Stout – 36 entries (2013 was 33, 2012 was 21)

#1 – Pipeworks Brewing Company – The Jones Dog
#2 – Great Divide Brewing Company – Barrel Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
#3 – 4 Hands Brewing Company – Barrel Aged Bonafide With Cinnamon

Category 3: Barleywine/Wheatwine – 33 entries (16 in 2013, 2012 was 16)

#1 – Revolution Brewing – Straight Jacket
#2 – 4 Hands Brewing Company – Volume 2
#3 – Firestone Walker/Barrelworks – Abacus 2013

Category 4: Classic Styles (not higher than 7% abv) – 32 entries (2013 was 16, 2012 was 11)

#1 – Ei8ht Ball Brewing – Reintarnation
#2 – Glacier Brewhouse – Beam Marzen
#3 – Sun King Brewing Co. – Soul Shakedown Party

Category 5: Strong/Double/Imperial pale Beer – 15 entries (2013 was 21, 2012 was 21)

#1 – Revolution Brewing – Filibuster
#2 – Southern Prohibition Brewing – Barrel Aged Mississippi Fire Ant
#3 – Rock Bottom Chicago – Gin Blitz

Category 6: Strong/Double/Imperial Dark Beer – 32 entries (2013 was 29, 2012 was 24)

#1 – Milwaukee Brewing Company – Louie’s Resurrection
#2 – Sun King Brewing – Sympathy For The Devil
#3 – Glacier Brewhouse – Buffalo Trace Eisbock

Category 7: Fruit Beer – 26 entries (2013 was 11, 2012 was 14)

#1 – Off Color Brewing Company – Yuzu Er’d Og Begravet
#2 – Lake Effect Brewing Company – Cerise De Michigan
#3 – Goose Island Clybourn – Vainglorious

Category 8: Experimental Beer – 32 entries (2013 was 20, 2012 was 18)

#1 – Perennial Artisan Ales – Barrel-Aged Abraxas
#2 – Breakside Brewery – Aquavit Barrel-Aged IPA
#3 – Temperance Beer Company – Boulevardier Barrel Aged Might Meets Rights

Category 9:  Wild Beer (Brett) – 19 entries (2013 was 12, 2012 was 9)

#1 – Off Color Brewing – Papillon (AKA I Can Do This Too, Cory King)
#2 – Trinity Brewing Company – Easy Swinger Wild IPA
#3 – Oakshire Brewing – Hermanne 1882

Category 10: Wild Beer (Acidic) – 30 entries (2013 was 35, 2012 was 27)

#1 – Port Brewing Company – Veritas 013
#2 – Trinity Brewing Company – 365 Day Sour
#3 – AC Golden – Dark Kriek

Category 11: Cider/Perry/Mead – 9 entries (new category in 2013 with 9 entries)
#1 – Virtue Cider – Lapinette
#2 – Vermont Hard Cider Company – Wyder’s Reposado Pear
#3 – Vandermill – Champman’s Oaked