SAM ADAMS HOMEBREW WINNER

New Hampshire homebrewer Rob North has been named the winner of the 2OO9 Sam Adams Patriot Homebrew Contest. North bested nearly 2OO other entrants from all six New England states to win the third annual contest. His winning brew, a Rauchbier, meaning “smoke beer” in German, will be served and sold at the Samuel Adams Brewhouse in Gillette Stadium during the entire 2O1O/2O11 Patriots football season. North’s prize also includes the opportunity to come to the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery and brew his winning beer with support from the Samuel Adams team of brewers. Rob has been actively homebrewing for the past three years, and is a member of the homebrew club Brew Free or Die based in New Hampshire. He entered a few other homebrew competitions over that course of time, and was crowned “Brewer of the Year” at the New England Regional Homebrew Competition in the fall of 2OO9. Rauchbiers are typically dark amber in color and have a smoky aroma and flavor that varies in intensity depending on the smoked malts used in the brewing process. North’s entry has a well-balanced blend of smoke and malt with a sweet, smoky aroma and flavor.

The final round of judging was hosted by Jim Koch at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery. Judges included notable beer tasters Mike Adams of WEEI-AM; Jason and Todd Alström of beer advocate; Wally Brine of WROR-FM; Gail Ciampa of The Providence Journal; Carolyn Faye Fox of the improper bostonian; Dan Hausle of WHDH-TV; Norman Miller of the MetroWest Daily News; and David Rosenbaum, winner of the 2OO8 Patriot Homebrew Contest.