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Local Bent Run brewery scores at Pa. Farm Show

Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Farm Show Phil Caudill, owner and brewer of Bent Run Brewing in Lander (front, second from left) sits with other brewers who won awards at the Pennsylvania Farm Show’s first state-wide beer competition.

A Warren County brewery caught the judges’ eyes — and taste buds — at the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Less than a year after opening, Bent Run Brewing, of Lander, owners Phil and Denise Caudill received an invitation to participate in the Farm Show’s first beer competition.

They decided to enter six beers, figuring the worst they could do was get some professional feedback on their products.

They did that and much more.

Bent Run won a first-place and two third-place awards for its IPAs.

Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Farm Show Phil Caudill, owner and brewer of Bent Run Brewing in Lander, accepts a third-place award at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Bent Run earned two thirds and a first at the Farm Show’s first Beer Competition.

There were 14 categories in the competition, with 28 breweries submitting 152 entries for judging.

Judges did the tasting in early December and announced the results on the first day of the Farm Show, Saturday, Jan. 5.

Bent Run’s Pearl O’ My Eye won first place in specialty IPA.

Pearl is a “converter” according to Bent Run. “A game changer of an ‘IPA’,” Caudill said. “A very tropical, or ‘juicy’, India Pale Ale. Made with pearl malt and five other grains, we add hops six times during the boil, and twice in fermentation. Also known as ‘the converter’ because many who consider themselves to not like IPAs, think differently after trying this one.”

The Sandstone Springs IPA took third in IPA: less than 7.5 percent alcohol by volume.

“Our signature beer,” Caudill said. “Named after the spring where we first started getting our brew water from as home brewers. A clean finishing, light bodied IPA that is very aromatic with a citrus punch due to double dry-hop additions.”

In the Pale Ale category, Bent Run’s All American Craft Pale Ale took third.

“This is the Clark Kent of our Sandstone Springs IPA,” Caudill said. “A mild-mannered pale ale for those who like malt and hop flavors as well as a little alcohol presence without all the bitterness of a big IPA. A stepping stone out of the world of the everyday pilsners and light lagers.”

He said they were pleased, but a little surprised, at the result. “I was surprised at the fact that we won three awards, that we got a first place, and that it wasn’t the beer I expected,” Caudill said. The judges gave Red, White and Bent the highest score among the Bent Run brews. That beer was still in a developmental stage. “I was making a pale ale and I was hoping it would be good enough,” he said.

Still, Pearl O’ My Eye took first place with fewer points in a much broader category. “I know there are some other producers making some really good specialty IPA,” he said.

Another beer, popular with the customers, did not fare well. “Our second most popular beer out here did not get high marks because it doesn’t fit into a category,” Caudill said.

It was the first beer competition at the Farm Show. “We are thrilled at the quality and variety of entries for our first state-wide beer contest,” Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Cheryl Cook said. “This enthusiastic group of craft brewers demonstrates the passion, talent, and drive that has made number one in the nation.”

Pennsylvania ranks first in the production of craft beers at 3.9 million barrels per year, according to a Farm Show release.

“Congratulations to our competitors, and to their customers who will enjoy the taste of their success,” Cook said.

The Bent Run owners don’t expect their success at the Farm Show to automatically multiply their business.

“It’s not like the Holy Grail,” Caudill said. “For us, going up against some of the competition, we’ve got a lot of good competition. Some of the other breweries are super well known and respected and well established.”

“We won or placed and some other breweries didn’t and that lets me know that we’ve got a really good product,” he said. “That’s a big confidence booster, more than anything. I will go into our future endeavors with more swagger.”

The Caudills plan to return to the Farm Show next year with a goal. There is a PA Preferred Brews award for those made primarily with locally grown ingredients.

“Next year, I plan to make a beer specifically for the show, from Pennsylvania products,” he said. “That is something that next year I would like to strive to win.”

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