For the fourth year in a row, the AABG Brews Crews Competition will be held at the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, MI. Matt Greff, one of the owners of the Corner Brewery took a few minutes to answer some questions about the competition.
What motivates you to host the competition and support the homebrewing community at large?
I got my start as a homebrewer and still consider myself a homebrewer at heart so it makes sense to support the homebrewing community. The reality is that there would not be the vibrant microbrewery industry that currently exists if not for the homebrewing community. Homebrewers and beer lovers are the backbone of the craft beer industry and we see it as a mutually supportive and beneficial relationship.
What’s your favorite part about the competition each year?
When all the beers get pulled from the cooler for judging it’s a jaw-dropping experience! It is so exciting to see so many enthusiasts submitting so many beers, and so many different and creative styles of beers, that it gets me excited for our industry all over again.
Can you recall your favorite best of show beer? What did you like about it?
I don’t really have a favorite because they’ve all been impressive. What is most impressive to me is that all the winners have been beers that are subtle in flavor and style so they have to be technically well made. We’ve had winners include an English Brown, an Alt, and a Kolsch. I think the fact that the BOS winners are in these more delicate styles shows the incredible technical expertise of the brewers who enter the competition.