Bottoms Up

Do homebrewers have more fun? Absolutely. Check out our photographer Gregory Daurer’s photos taken last month at the American Homebrewers Association 29th Annual National Homebrew Competition held in Denver . For a report on the results, check out my posting of a couple of days ago.

Gregory Daurer/Special to What’s On Tap/Oakland Tribune

Diablo Order of Zymiracle Enthusiasts. From Right to Left: Jason Petros, pouring his bottle of homebrew (oatmeal stout soaked in Wild Turkey oak cubes) (Concord, CA), Scott Lothamer (Moraga, CA), Randy Griggs (Concord, CA), Melissa Fine (Alameda, CA), Kirk Anderson (Alameda, CA)

Annie Johnson, Sacramento, brewer, Silver Medal winner in the Light Lager category. Standing next to keg and holding urn containing “Mandrake”: beer containing ground mandrake and licorice roots, pale malt, Sucanaut organic brown sugar, yeast. Brewer’s notes: “Ancient Egyptian recipe from Alexandria.”

Gregory Daurer/Special to What’s On Tap/Oakland Tribune

East Sacramento Brewers and Hangtown Association of Zymurgy Enthusiasts (H.A.Z.E.), left – right, Annie Johnson, Kevin Pratt, Carol Runge, Beth Zangari.

Gregory Daurer/Special to What’s On Tap, Oakland Tribune

The beer that was….Maltose Falcons member James Pappas pouring a “Gonzo Hemp Poppy Spirit Wine” made by brewer Drew Beechum in honor of the late Hunter S. Thompson. Hoppy, American Style barleywine. Contains: hemp seeds, poppy seeds, tequila, bourbon, shitake mushrooms, acidulated malt, and a shot of Coca-Cola.