The first steps in the process to determine which homebrew and cider will be named the 2019 Erie County Fair Best In Show has been scheduled. Beginning today, Monday, April 1st, homebrewers and hard cider makers from across New York State may submit their brews and ciders in the Fair’s Homebrew and Hard Cider Making Competitions. The annual summer release of the limited run, craft beer based on the winning brew has become an anticipated tradition at the Erie County Fair for beer lovers. 2019 is the first year for the Fair’s hard cider making competition.
Homebrew and cider hobbyists have until Friday, April 5th to submit their bottles for judging. In addition to the opportunity to win a gold medal for excellence, both the Erie County Fair Homebrew and Hard Cider Competition top entries will be professionally produced and named the 2019 “Erie County Fair Best In Show Beer” and “Erie County Fair Best In Show Cider.”
A $20 entry fee allows homebrewers to submit up to five entries in categorical styles ranging from lagers and pilsners to a variety of ales. Cider makers can submit hard ciders in categorical styles that include modern cider, fruit cider, hop cider, spiced cider, wood-aged cider and an “anything goes” class. Any New York State resident is eligible to enter the competitions. Judging is scheduled to take place Saturday, April 27th inside the Fair’s Ag-Grange Building. Top brews and ciders will be selected through a blind tasting panel.
Once “Best of Show” winners are determined, the competitors will be asked to submit the recipe which will then be turned over to Flying Bison Brewery and BlackBird Cider Works. The recipes will be analyzed to ensure that it is commercially and legally producible. Once kegged, Try-It Distributing will distribute the finished products for public purchase at select Western New York outlets prior to the Fair. During the Erie County Fair, several on-premises locations will feature the award winning beer and cider.
Those interested in entering the competition can find complete rules and guidelines on the Erie County website (www.ECFair.org). Entries can be dropped off on Monday, April 1st through Friday, April 5th between 9am and 5pm (with a copy of the entry form) to the Main Office of the Fairgrounds. Entries can also be dropped off at Flying Bison Brewing Company on April 4th or 5th between the hours of 12pm and 8pm. Those dropping off brew entries at Flying Bison will be able to take home a filled growler of Flying Bison brew for $5. Cider entries can also be dropped off at the Buffalo Cider Hall located at 155 Chandler Street on April 4th or 5th between the hours of 4p and 10p.
The judging of beer and hard cider is just two of the competitions held annually by the Erie County Fair. In 2019, over 13,000 entries are expected to be received and judged by the Fair’s Competitive Exhibits Office. The wide range of ribbon winning categories include agriculture, conservation and creative arts, among others. Entry information for all other categories will be available online starting May 1st.