Our Friend John and His Award Winning Beer

Our friend, John Phelan took FIRST PLACE in the Ellicott Mills Brewing Company's homebrew contest!

As a result, the restaurant will brew 500 gallons of John's recipe and serve it on tap until it runs out! John will meet with the master brewer on Sunday, Nov. 22 and they will make the beer together at the brewery. Sometime after that, there will be a public unveiling, complete with a tap and label especially designed for John.

It was John's first ever contest even though he has been brewing for 10 years or more for the Ten Hills Brewery. He was one of 7 home brewers competing for this prize and was judged by three professional brewers and one "professional drinker" (that is how the fourth judge was introduced!). John received a 93 out of 100 points and was the only brewer to receive perfect scores from any of the judges at all (he received them from two judges!).

For those of you who are in this area, the beer should be available for a few months on tap. You can go into the bar or restaurant and order it any time! Right now, it's called "California Drinkin'" because it was a West Coast pale ale.

Congratulations, John!

I would post a link to the Ellicott Mills Brewing Co. but the flash intro takes up too much time and nearly drove me mad, so I will just say go to Ellicott City, and visit the restaurant at 8308 Main St. and ask for a "California Drinkin' beer.