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Hoppy Halloween Challenge

Thanks to all who participated in the Hoppy Halloween Challenge.

There were 359 entries judged and 769 registered participants, judges, and stewards.

Best of Show Winners

Best of Show – Beer

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stSteve PowellCzexican Lager31A: Alternative Grain BeerBig Sioux Brewing Society

Best of Show – Mead/Cider

PlaceBrewerEntry NameStyleClub
1stGarrett FreemanCinnamon Apple MeadM3A: Fruit and Spice MeadRed Earth Brewers

Winning Entries

Table 1: Table 1 - Light Lager (20 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stRich Vander Ploeg MHPFun In The Sun4A: Munich HellesJohnson County Brewing Society
2ndSteven OffuttSouthside Walk It Out2A: International Pale Lager Ozark Zymurgists
3rdBill Gavin Roy VentulloHell München Sonnen5C: German Helles ExportbierCRAZE
HMRandy Daniels KC McKinneyRed White & Blueland1B: American LagerIowa Brewers Union

Table 2: Table 2 - Pilsner (17 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stRoss Stuart MHPCzech Pale Lager3B: Czech Premium Pale LagerArizona Society of Homebrewers
2ndRick ChainaniKesselmaischen5D: German Pils
3rdKyle Ernsberger MHPMean Brews NZ PilsLSX5: New Zealand PilsnerCider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)

Table 3: Table 3 - European Amber Lager (17 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJimmy McCaskill
Co-Brewer: Erin McCaskill		McToberfest6A: MärzenAle-ian Society
2ndBen Gaylord MHPLittle Monster7A: Vienna Lager
3rdMatthew Johnsen MHPNo Time Like The Past7B: AltbierRock Hoppers Brew Club

Table 4: Table 4 - Dark Lager (10 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stTaylor Shastid MHPA Tall Walking Big Black Cat8B: SchwarzbierDiablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)
2ndRoss Stuart MHPSchwarzbier8B: SchwarzbierArizona Society of Homebrewers
3rdSteven PavletichCzechmate3D: Czech Dark LagerIowa Brewers Union

Table 5: Table 5 - Bock (5 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJeremy Jones MHPEostra4C: Helles BockSnake River Brewers
2ndTaylor Shastid MHPPredestinator9A: Doppelbock Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts (DOZE)

Table 6: Table 6 - Light Hybrid Beer (10 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stEddie BelterArmed Armadillo1D: American Wheat BeerSTLBrewhogs
2ndSteven Offutt47918A: Blonde AleOzark Zymurgists
3rdKevin OlsonMidnight Milker1C: Cream AleZZHops Homebrewing Club

Table 8: Table 8 - English Pale Ale (13 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stRandy Daniels KC McKinneyRedwood11C: Strong BitterIowa Brewers Union
2ndShawn Montgomery MHPGolden12A: British Golden AleIowa Brewers Union
3rdKyle Ernsberger MHPMean Brews O Bitter11A: Ordinary BitterCider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)

Table 9: Table 9 - Scottish and Irish Ale (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stRich Vander Ploeg MHPOl' Red15A: Irish Red AleJohnson County Brewing Society
2ndCarlo Cuneo MHP
Co-Brewer: Carolyn Brou		Wee Heavy17C: Wee HeavyRedstick Brewmasters
3rdRandy Daniels KC McKinneyIt's About To Get Heavy14B: Scottish HeavyIowa Brewers Union

Table 10: Table 10 - American Ale (19 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stScott Estlund MHPI Hope You Step On A Lego!19A: American Amber AleThe Brü Club
2ndJimmy McCaskill
Co-Brewer: Erin McCaskill		Texas Red Dirt19A: American Amber AleAle-ian Society
3rdJeff Case MHPCode Brown19C: American Brown AleQUAFF

Table 11: Table 11 - English Brown and Mild (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stMichael Rensing MHPOldcastle13B: British Brown AleCider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)
2ndWilliam Vigil MHPRusty Flaggon13B: British Brown AleAce Brewing Society
3rdDrew Templeton MHPRoyal Momo Mild13A: Dark MildIowa Brewers Union

Table 12: Table 12 - Porter (9 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stDrew Templeton MHPProper Pupper Porter13C: English PorterIowa Brewers Union
2ndDave Hoppert
Co-Brewer: Open Haus Brewing		Portly Gentleman13C: English PorterUrban Knaves of Grain
3rdPaul PitreSweden Likes 'Em Thicc9C: Baltic PorterRedstick Brewmasters

Table 13: Table 13 - Stout (18 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stRichard GillBlack Ice20C: Imperial Stout
2ndTyler Miller MHPThis Munchkin Milk Stout Galinda Found For Me16A: Sweet StoutArizona Society of Homebrewers
3rdStephen Schmitt MHPImperial Star Destroyer20C: Imperial StoutEvanston Homebrew Club

Table 14: Table 14 - American and Double IPA (11 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stPhillip Saurer MHP
Co-Brewer: Jennifer Saurer		GV PTE22A: Double IPAPeninsula Fermentation Society
2ndJamye & Cody NaramoreSouth Dakota Suicide Shifter21A: American IPAKansas City Bier Meisters
3rdBrian Stephens MHPDouble IPA22A: Double IPAKeepers of Craft

Table 15: Table 15 - Other IPA (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stBrian Stephens MHPBenny's Red21B4: Red IPA Keepers of Craft
2ndRyan RoseRed Rye Guy IPA21B4: Red IPA Kansas City Bier Meisters
3rdPhillip Abbott MHPIsildur's Bane12C: English IPAJohnson County Brewing Society

Table 16: Table 16 - German Wheat and Rye (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stSteven PavletichSplit Personality10A: WeissbierIowa Brewers Union
2ndJonathan Marut MHPHef10A: WeissbierHorsemen of the Hopocalypse
3rdJay HighfillSuck It R/O10B: Dunkels WeissbierZZ Hops

Table 17: Table 17 - Belgian and French Ale (12 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stSteve Ristau MHPRed Beard De Garde24C: Bière de Garde Ale Riders Homebrew Club
2ndMatthew Johnsen MHPIt's A Trap!26A: Belgian SingleRock Hoppers Brew Club
3rdMichael Rensing MHPWit24A: WitbierCider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)

Table 18: Table 18 - Sour Ale (11 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stNick & Heather Hartley MHPWelcome Home Nicholas George Hartley II!23G: GoseRed Earth Brewers
2ndPhillip Abbott MHPGoing Yard Bier28D: Straight Sour BeerJohnson County Brewing Society
3rdPhillip Saurer MHPBerliner Weisse23A: Berliner WeissePeninsula Fermentation Society

Table 19: Table 19 - Belgian Strong Ale (14 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJoe Skiles MHPDevil Made Me Do It25C: Belgian Golden Strong AleUrban Knaves of Grain
2ndMichael Rensing MHPMighty Monarch25A: Belgian Blond AleCider, Homebrew, And Mead Production Specialists (CHAMPS)
3rdJeremy Jones MHPHyperion25A: Belgian Blond AleSnake River Brewers

Table 20: Table 20 - Strong Ale (13 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stTracey Huebner
Co-Brewer: David Huebner		Wheatwine22D: WheatwinePrairie Homebrewing Companions
2ndTom Roan
Co-Brewer: Nancy Bowser		Brit Boxer17A: British Strong AlePrairie Homebrewing Companions
3rdDavid Towles MHPAmerican Barleywine22C: American BarleywineHigh Plains Drafters [TX]

Table 21: Table 21 - Fruit Beer (12 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJohn Luhmann MHPTangerine & Passion Fruit Sour29A: Fruit Beer Iowa Brewers Union
2ndKen WentworthCervesa De Lima29A: Fruit Beer South Side Barley Crushers
3rdDick NillesWood Aged Sour Cherry Ale29C: Specialty Fruit Beer Prairie Homebrewing Companions

Table 22: Table 22 - Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer (9 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stDonovan Dobler
Co-Brewer: Saralynn Dobler		See How This Gose30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer Prairie Homebrewing Companions
2ndJay HighfillBread And Basil Wheatwine30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer ZZ Hops
3rdAlex Boyer MHPGin And Juice30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable Beer Johnson County Brewing Society

Table 23: Table 23 - Smoke-Flavored/Wood-Aged Beer (15 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stJoe Skiles MHPOak Aged Calculating Infinity33A: Wood-Aged Beer Urban Knaves of Grain
2ndSteve Powell
Co-Brewer: Marty Lund Matt Meyers Todd Chambers		Barleywine From The Best Dakota33B: Specialty Wood-Aged Beer Big Sioux Brewing Society
3rdStephen Schmitt MHPEmber's Whisper32A: Classic Style Smoked Beer Evanston Homebrew Club

Table 24: Table 24 - Specialty Beer (25 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stSteve PowellCzexican Lager31A: Alternative Grain Beer Big Sioux Brewing Society
2ndTom Roan
Co-Brewer: Nancy Bowser		Mix Tape34B: Mixed-Style Beer Prairie Homebrewing Companions
3rdAlex Boyer MHPThai Dive29B: Fruit and Spice Beer Johnson County Brewing Society

Table 25: Table 25 - Traditional Mead (4 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stShane Kammerer MHP
Co-Brewer: Susan Kammerer		Nebraska CloverM1B: Semi-Sweet MeadKansas City Bier Meisters
2ndDeborah And Marc Prichard MHPMy Kubota Has A BucketM1A: Dry MeadKansas City Bier Meisters
3rdEric MartinPumpkin BlossomM1B: Semi-Sweet MeadKansas City Bier Meisters

Table 26: Table 26 - Fruit Mead (20 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stGarrett Freeman MHPPeach MeadM2D: Stone Fruit Mead Red Earth Brewers
2ndShane Kammerer MHP
Co-Brewer: Susan Kammerer		Jack's FavoriteM2C: Berry Mead Kansas City Bier Meisters
3rdRyan RoseJuicy LamborghiniM2B: PymentKansas City Bier Meisters

Table 27: Table 27 - Spice and Specialty Mead (15 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stGarrett Freeman MHPCinnamon Apple MeadM3A: Fruit and Spice Mead Red Earth Brewers
2ndGarrett Freeman MHPCRAMM4C: Experimental Mead Red Earth Brewers
3rdShawn Montgomery MHPFruitcake MeadM3A: Fruit and Spice Mead Iowa Brewers Union

Table 28: Table 28 - Standard Cider & Perry (7 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stEric MartinPink LadyC1A: Common CiderKansas City Bier Meisters
2ndBrian PhillipsWild CiderC1E: Spanish CiderIowa Minnesota Society Of Brewers (IAMNSOB)
3rdCody BarrierCiderC1A: Common CiderZZHops Homebrewing Club
HMEmersen Heron MHPOrange Cats Are GodsC4B: Heirloom PerryKansas City Bier Meisters

Table 29: Table 29 - Specialty Cider & Perry (8 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stRodolfo Valladares MHPPeach PleaseC3A: Fruit Cider Kansas City Bier Meisters
2ndTimothy WicklundMulberry CiderC3A: Fruit Cider Keepers of Craft
3rdKevin Wojdak MHPAnti-FreezeC2C: Ice Cider Urban Knaves of Grain

Table 30: Table 30 - Halloween Theme Beer (3 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stTim MooreGourd Gone Wild50A: Halloween Theme Pinellas Urban Brewers Guild
2ndTravis Cherry MHPJeckyll And Hyde50A: Halloween Theme Bay Area Mashtronauts
3rdZach Goulder MHP
Co-Brewer: Stacey Jeanty		Witchybiscius50A: Halloween Theme Green Bay Rackers

Table 31: Table 31 - Fresh Killed Hops (10 entries)

PlaceBrewerNameStyleClub
1stPhillip Saurer MHP
Co-Brewer: Jennifer Saurer		Citra Pale Fresh Hop50B: Theme Fresh Killed Hops Peninsula Fermentation Society
2ndPhillip Saurer MHP
Co-Brewer: Jennifer Saurer		I Like Fresh Hop Beer!50B: Theme Fresh Killed Hops Peninsula Fermentation Society
3rdSteve Ristau MHPSteve's Extra Special Wet-Hopped Bitter50B: Theme Fresh Killed Hops Ale Riders Homebrew Club
Launch Awards Presentation

Past Winners

Judging Sessions

Wednesday "A" 5:30pm
10/15/2025 5:30 PM, CDT.

Wednesday "A" 8pm
10/15/2025 8:00 PM, CDT.

Sunday 1pm
10/19/2025 1:00 PM, CDT.

Sunday 3pm
10/19/2025 3:00 PM, CDT.

Wednesday "B" 5:30pm
10/22/2025 5:30 PM, CDT.

Wednesday "B" 8pm
10/22/2025 8:00 PM, CDT.

Friday 2pm
10/24/2025 2:00 PM, CDT.

Friday 5:30pm
10/24/2025 5:30 PM, CDT.

Friday 8pm
10/24/2025 8:00 PM, CDT.

Saturday 9am
10/25/2025 9:00 AM, CDT.

Saturday 11am
10/25/2025 11:00 AM, CDT.

Best in Show
10/25/2025 2:00 PM, CDT.

Halloween Theme Beer Judging
10/25/2025 4:00 PM, CDT.

Account Registration Closed

Account registrations accepted 08/25/2025 7:00 PM, CDT through 10/15/2025 5:30 PM, CDT.

Registrations for judges or stewards accepted 08/25/2025 7:00 PM, CDT through 10/25/2025 9:00 PM, CDT.

Entry Registration Closed

The competition paid entry limit has been reached.

Entry Drop-Off Closed

Entry bottles accepted at drop-off locations 09/26/2025 5:00 PM, CDT — 10/10/2025 5:00 PM, CDT.

Please pay attention to the notes provided for each drop-off location. There could be earlier deadlines for some drop-off locations listed, particular hours when entries are accepted, certain individuals to leave your entries with, etc. All entrants are responsible for reading the information provided by the organizers for each drop-off location.

Entry Shipping Closed

Entry bottles accepted at the shipping location 09/26/2025 5:00 PM, CDT — 10/10/2025 5:00 PM, CDT.