The Great New York State Fair is announcing 'Best of Show' from their annual homebrew competition.

Rochester home brewer Sean Coughlin took the prize with his 'Abbey Cat,' a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.

Coughlin, who works for Genesee Brewing, is also a volunteer judge in the competition, but was not allowed to judge his category.

Judges called the brew, which Coughlin says he aged for about a year and a half, an excellent beer with no technical flaws and a nice malt profile.

Utica's F.X. Matt Brewing company will now bottle the beer and bring it to Colorado to be entered in the Great American Beer Festival's national competition.

"This competition is exactly the kind of thing that brings emphasis to New York State products," said Nick Matt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of F.X. Matt Brewing Company. "We're glad to host the winner to brew in our nanobrewery.  It's a unique and fun experience for both the homebrewer and our team.  Then to have this beer entered into the country's most coveted competition in the industry, the Great American Beer Festival, now that's really something special."

Robert Sells of Fredonia took both second place and fourth place Best of Show for his Old Ale, named "Old And In The Way," and his Kolsch, named "Summer Schwill."  Mark Zambron of West Seneca took third place honors for "The Watcher," a Weizen/Weissbier.

This year, 137 homebrewers entered 405 beers in the competition.

 

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