A Joshua Tree man took home top honors in an Alaskan craft beer competition last week. Josh Hoines won Best of Show at the 22nd Annual Haines Craft Beer and Home Brew Festival May 24 for his light American lager called “After Thought Lager.” His Lager also received a Best of Division medal for the Lighter Beers Division. Hoines won three other medals as well: first place for his “Whole Lager Love” in the Spiced, Herb, Vegetable or Smoked Beers category; and third place in the Belgian and French beers category for “Cherry Wit”; and third place in the IPA category for “7 Ways to IPA.” The beer competition was sponsored by the Southeast Alaska Sate Fair; 24 home brewers entered 83 beers and three meads for consideration by 19 judges. The brews were judged based on technical merit and adherence to published style guidelines. Most beers submitted were from Alaska, with other entries coming from California, Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Congratulations to Joshua Tree brewmaster Josh Hoines.
