In the National Honey Board’s biggest competition ever, more than 165 made with honey beers competed for beer style category and Best in Show honors at the 4th Annual Honey Beer Competition in Longmont, Colorado. When the judging finished, All in the Family from Fleur De Lis Brew Works in took home the bronze medal in the Braggot category.
All in the Family was created and brewed by head brewer, Jon Paul. Made with more than 50 pounds of Finger Lakes produced honey, the braggot finishes around 9.8 ABV and 18 IBU. The sweetness of honey balances the slight bitter hop taste for a delightful beer. Beth states “we originally brewed the braggot on the pilot system using honey from a closely guarded apiary tended by Jon Paul & Craig’s cousin. Because of the family ties, we chose All in the Family as the beer name.” Beth continues “the beer sold so quickly, we rebrewed on the larger system. The bees couldn’t make honey fast enough but we decided to keep the name.”
The National Honey Board’s Honey Beer Competition featured 167 made with honey beers and cider entries, which were submitted from craft breweries and cideries throughout North America.
The Honey Beer Competition was judged by 20 certified judges from the Beer Judge Certification Program and featured 11 beer style categories and one cider category. The submitted beers were judged on their aroma, appearance, flavor, mouthfeel and the role honey played in the beer.
“In four short years, the number of honey beers submitted to the Honey Beer Competition has grown from 23 to 167. What’s even more impressive is the diversity of beer styles that are now using honey,” said Catherine Barry, the National Honey Board’s director of marketing, in a press release. “From IPAs to sours, honey has moved beyond blond ales and wheat beers and into almost every beer style category. It’s amazing to see how the competition has grown in the last four years, and amazing to see honey’s versatility in beer.”
As of early September, National Honey month, All in the Family is available on tap and in bottles to take home and enjoy.
—National Honey Board press release with quotes from the partners at Fleur De Lis Brew Works