DC Homebrewers' 5th Cherry Blossom competition draws robust entries, names winners

A surge of blossom-forward beers and familiar names filled the entry lists as the DC Homebrewers Club moved forward with its fifth annual Cherry Blossom homebrew competition, with Bill DeBaun writing that "This year’s competition is expected to reach up to 300 entries." Organizers reported robust entry activity in mid-February and are preparing a March judging session tied to National Cherry Blossom Festival weekend.

The club’s press release sets judging for March 24 at a Meridian Pint-sponsored session that will not be open to the public, and it gives a March 16 deadline for mailed entries to arrive. The same release specifies a limit of three entries per person and two bottles required per entry, with drop-off points at Maryland Homebrew in Columbia, Maryland and 3 Stars Brewing’s DC HomeBrew Shop in Washington, D.C. Judges and stewards were invited to register through the competition website.

Not all pre-event notices match those specifics. Craftconditioned cited a March 29 judging date, a March 15 deadline, a two-entry-per-person cap, and three bottles per entry. Peter Jones, quoted in that version, said "I’m excited to offer a competition to homebrewers outside of DC Homebrewers and sanctioned by the AHA" and added a lighter note about the floral category: "I can’t wait to see the creativity inspired by our cherry blossom category from local brewers. Go easy on the lavender!"

Results and category winners released on the competition pages show repeat top finishes from several regional names. In Table 7, British Amber & Dark Beers, Cole Christian with co-brewer Paulette Palacios placed first with Porter Alfredson (13C: English Porter), followed by Matthew Mead’s Treefort Stout and Bob Rouse’s All Aboard. Table 8, Strong Beers, named Alex Rezmerski first with The Duke of Strathmoor Manor (17D: English Barley Wine). Table 11, Belgian & Abbey Ales, put Luke Helbling first with Be Tripel (26C: Belgian Tripel). Table 12, American Pale and IPA, showed Ross Stuart taking both first for a Hazy IPA (21C) and second for an American IPA (21A). The competition’s past winners list includes CBC2024 Best of Show first-place Chad Medford for Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires (6B: Rauchbier).

The contest is recognized by the American Homebrewers Association and uses a BJCP-certified judging team, and the club notes that Cherry Blossom is part of the Master Homebrewer Program Circuit of America where judges and entrants can earn MHP and Gavel Award points. The DC Homebrewers blog thanked supporters including DC Brau and 3 Stars Brewing for past backing and reminded members that judges and stewards could still sign up on the competition site.

With entries drawn from local and national clubs such as PrimeTime Brewers, QUAFF, Hollywood Hopheads and High Plains Drafters, the field this year mixed seasoned MHP competitors like Cole Christian and rising names like Luke Helbling. Organizers plan to post full results and final Best of Show details after judging concludes and to credit top entries for Circuit of America scoring and future event invitations.