In an effort to celebrate Kentucky-made wines and beers, the State Fair will be hosting both homemade and commercial competitions this weekend!
The Saturday wine competition will feature two competitive entry divisions: Homemade and Commercial. Homemade wines cannot have any commercial affiliation and can receive up to 20 points, the criteria being: Appearance, Aroma and Bouquet, Taste, Aftertaste, and Overall Quality. Commercial wineries are invited to compete in more than 70 classes, and the wines submitted must be made from at least 75% Kentucky-grown grapes or another Kentucky-grown fruit.
Not only do commercial competitors get the chance to win several medals, but they also are allowed to share their products with fair-goers. Guess who’s gonna be hanging around the wine competition all day on Saturday? This guy.
Awards will include: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, Best Kentucky Wine: The Jean-Jacques Du Four Award; Winemaker of the Year; The Bud & Mickey Mirus Award; and Best of Show: The George Wessel Award. Judging for Homemade wines will be on Saturday the 11th at 10 AM and Commercial wines at noon in the South Wing.
The Homebrewed Beer Competition judging will take place in the South Wing on Sunday the 12th at 9:30 AM with awards at 4:30. The scoring will be based upon the following critera: Taste – 40%, Appearance – 24%, Overall Impression – 20%, Mouthfeel – 24%, and Bouquet Aroma – 6%. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each judging flight will receive prizes. Each 1st place winner will receive a special mug and move on to the Homebrew Beer “Best of Show” round. There are 28 categories with several subcategories each. The contestant with the most points at the end of judging will win “Brewer of the Year”.
There will also be a label contest on Sunday, which can only be entered by folks who have submitted beers for judging. The criteria: Creativity, Originality, Aesthetic Appeal, Appropriate for Beer Style, and Entered in Correct Class.
Come out and support Kentucky wineries and beer brewers!
Kentucky Exposition Center
937 Phillips Lane
Louisville, Kentucky 40209
