Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

California State Fair Beer Competition Sees Record Number Of Entries

  •  Bob Moffitt 
Monday, June 11, 2018 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

Judges from across the country are called on every year to judge the best beer California has to offer.

Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

Update: June 18, 5:43 p.m.

The California State Fair announced the winners of its commercial beer competition, and an Eldorado Hills brewer has been named brewery of the year.

Judges awarded Mraz Brewing Company gold medals for eight of its beers.

The Best of Show was awarded to Captain Fatty’s Brewery in Goleta for their Berliner-Style Weisse called "Kalliope."


The California State Fair isn't until July, but some judging of entries is already taking place, including beer. Judges picked their favorites over the past four days in West Sacramento. And there was a lot of brew: Michael Moore, the head judge of the commercial beer competition, says there were 1,580 beers in a record 64 categories this year.

He said that the competition also had to accommodate the variety of new styles, such as hazy IPAs and “milkshake” beers. “I invented quite a few different categories," Moore said.

Moore invited judges from all over the state. Each panel included one certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program, someone from the industry, and a brewer.  

Andrew Mohsenzadegan, the brewer with Flatland Brewing in Elk Grove, described what judges are looking for: beers that are true to style, balanced, elegant, without off flavors and something that would do well in the marketplace.

“I mean, that's the end game. You want clean, drinkable, high-quality beer,” Mohsenzadegan said.

Each panel judges a flight of 10 beers, which Mohsenzadegan says took his group about 45 minutes.

“It's a lot of thought that goes into each one and there's a lot of work that goes behind those beers,” he said, adding that patience — and legible handwriting — are important. “You want to make sure you give a good feedback, and the brewer can read your notes legibly and take something insightful from it," he added.

Mohsenzadegan should know what he's talking about. His entry last year won Best in Show.

Moore says there is an order to the judging, and for a reason: The last of the beers to be judged are the beers made with peppers and chilis. He says that when they pour those beers, the smell permeates the room.“I mean, we have ghost pepper chili beers. We have only certain judges who are willing to blow their palate out and just do those at the very last," Moore said.

This year, there were also 750 home brews that entered. Those results are already posted at the California State Fair website.

This is the third-largest beer competition in the United States. Results will be posted sometime this week.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 beerCalifornia State Fair

Bob Moffitt

Former Sacramento Region Reporter

Bob reported on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Routine COVID-19 testing ends at Sacramento City Unified for upcoming school year

August 15, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

August 16, 2022

Kristin Lam / CapRadio

Sacramento activists sue city to pull homeless camping measure from November ballot

August 16, 2022

Most Viewed

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

California coronavirus updates: WHO renames monkeypox subvariants away from regional signifiers

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Who is Harriet Hageman, the woman who beat Liz Cheney in the Wyoming House race?

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction

California coronavirus updates: WHO renames monkeypox subvariants away from regional signifiers

Abortion is still legal in California. Here are answers to questions about access in the state.

Who is Harriet Hageman, the woman who beat Liz Cheney in the Wyoming House race?

Northern California wildfires: Where to find updates on air quality, evacuations, and official information

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.