The New York International Beer Competition is a “Trade Only” judged event.  This means that the beers that are entered are judged only by people who buyers from top retail stores, restaurant owners, beverage directors, distributors and importers.  They pride themselves in this fact and that their judges have actual purchasing power and the ability to impact a brand’s sales.

In this years 5th annual event Christian Moerlein and their offshoot heritage brand, Hudepohl, won a couple medals to bring back to Cincinnati.

Big Piney

Big Piney, their “Northwest Style” IPA won a silver medal in the America Style IPA category.  You can read my impressions of the beer if you’d like, but know that is a big, piney, earthy IPA full of some really great flavors and that you can find it on your store shelves if you’d like to give it a go instead of taking my word for it.

Hudepohl Pure Lager

Hudepohl is a Heritage Brand from Moerlein, and they took home a Bronze medal for it in the American-Style Amber Lager category.  Again…you can read my tasting notes about the beer if you desire, but much like Big Piney, the best way to figure this beer out for yourself is to go grab a six pack of it and try it for yourself.  I honestly feel like this is one of the under the radar steals that everyone in town should be stocking their fridge with.  A good, cheap, tasty lager for when you just want ‘a beer’.

A big congratulations goes out to Christian Moerlein Brewing for their medals!  Keep up the good work!