This is the day we award the championship. The top example of 2010's supreme master class in beer photography. And all in Santa's name. And the Yule log. I was going to play this out but I understand I have to get a tree, buy a family's worth of presents, locate the frozen joints of half a dozen mammals and large poultry. Apparently, there is a big holiday coming. So, we need to get moving along. Besides, when was the last time I forwarded you an update on the brewing scene in Uruguay or Thailand? I have lost all sense of balance. Blame Yule. Blame Santa.
But before we get to the champion, there are twelve [Ed.: twelve?] Yes, twelve more presents for good little beer photographing girls and boys. This year we have had 58 entrants and around 225 photos to choose from so the twenty prize packs overall do represent a one-in-three chance to win. Better than any lottery. Just saying.
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David Head of Brighton, Massachusetts - aka Seven Pack Dave - sent in this one which I totally missed from the baby and beer contest. | Dave gets a long sleeve t-shirt sent directly from the good people of Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine, USA. |
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John Santos from Los Angeles, CA but currently living in Vicenza, Italy sent in this picture from the March of the Brewers that he witnessed during the Belgian Beer Weekend in Brussels last September. | John will get the third long sleeve t-shirt sent directly from the good people of Shipyard Brewing in Portland, Maine, USA. |
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Ed Carson, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania sent in this one photo called "Memphis, Friday Afternoon" with, oddly, the alternative title "After Drinking Unregistered Beer." | Less than coincidentally, Ed will be receiving Lew Bryson's latest book, the fourth edition of Pennsylvania Breweries to be forwarded directly by Lew with my thanks. |
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This picture is by last year's winner, Kim Reed, of Rochester New York. I love the energy, the relentless orange and that beaded guy's face. | Stan Hieronymus will be forwarding a number of his books to Kim including Brew Like a Monk, Brewing With Wheat and maybe even a Beer Lovers Guide to the USA. |
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Jeff Wayne of Tampa Florida sent this one in and I was greatly tempted to go with it for Grand Champion... except that the glass is plastic. Really? Maybe. | Joe Stange, author of Thirsty Pilgrim is providing Jeff with a signed copy of Around Brussels in 80 Beers reviewed by me here. |
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Jeph Stahl of Grimsby, Ontario sent in this potrait of New Glarus gueuze that gets the backlight balance just right. | Pete Brown, British Guild of Beer Writers' Writer of the Year 2009 has provided me with a full set of his complete beer writings in paperback, autographed which I will mail to Jeph. |
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Rick Sellers sent in this image from the blending table for FSW 13 at Firestone Walker brewery. I like the sharpness, the control and the recording of a pretty rare moment in the natural history of beer. | Dave Selden has placed a 33 Beers prize under the tree and he will be forwarding it to Rick. |
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Joe Stange of Costa Rica sent in this fan's view: "Drinking a cup of Pilsner Urquell in the box seats at RF Stadium, at a midsummer DC United game. The most godawful team I've ever loved." | Ron Pattinson sent me two signed copies of his books War! and Peace! which I am forwarding to Joe. |
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Mike Irrera of Boston, Massachusetts sent in this explanation "It's the hop "offering" in front of the altar during the triennial Hoppefeesten at the Sint Bertinuskerk, Poperinge, Belgium." Which I love. | A year's subscription to All About Beer goes to Mike. |
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Jeff Alworth of Portland Oregon sent in this one called "PBR Hipster" which won in the unannounced street life category. | A second year's subscription to All About Beer goes to Jeff. |
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Justin Rumbach of Jasper, Indiana wins for this extremely intelligent play of shadow and glassware. I liked this one a lot. It was going places. This is where it got. | The third year's subscription to All About Beer goes to Justin. |
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Knut Albert Solem of Norway explained the moment "I was waiting for Simon in the Paris beer shop to get me a taxi. (Which was, btw, impossible)- I spotted this in the fridge. It was a warm day." I love that moment. | That gorgeous black XXL bowling short from Beau's Organic will be sent by me to the Knutster. |
We stand on the edge of history... we most move forward and on to the Grand Champion. OK, enough with the fancy schmanzy. In 2008, I did sort of a playoff. Last year, I spun the prize giving over five nights. This year we went with the categories. I have no idea which has led me to a better decision. But it is an important one. The prizes are the thing of legend. The Grand Champion is getting a subscription to All About Beer, will see the winning photo run in the magazine in 2011, the Creemore Springs pack of "the same swag I did last year, hockey jersey, toque, had, bottle opener, tee shirt, what ever I can cram into a priority post envelope. I did pretty good last year making it all fit" as well as that fantastic VHS set of Michael Jackson's Beer Hunter forwarded by Stan. Plus, there have been a lot of great entries and I am taking a bit of a risk awarding this one...
Comments
Brian Stechschulte - December 14, 2010 1:57 AM
Thank you Alan. I'm honored. There were some great photos in this years contest, many I admire and clearly come from great talent.
I guess I should say a few words about the photo you chose. I had just purchased the glassware and wanted to admire the shape and color of the Saison. I was immediately drawn to the lacing. A rice paper lantern provided the light and I leaned over the couch with glass in one hand and a camera on auto in the other.
I've spent hours covering festivals and beer dinners for my blog and this was taken in a fraction of time and effort compared to the rest. No matter how much I plan for the right moment sometimes just sitting on the couch with a camera nearby yields the best results.
Thanks again. - Brian
John Lewington - December 14, 2010 4:06 AM
Congratulations to all the winners! I would like to thank Alan for his time and effort in running this inspired competition. A big Happy Christmas to all you fellow beer lovers and keen photographers. Cheers from England.
John
Ed Carson - December 14, 2010 8:03 AM
I would like to thank the academy for this award. An explanation of the alternative title. This photograph was made the day after the infamous Philadelphia Beer Raids of 2010 at the Memphis Taproom.
Ed Carson - December 14, 2010 8:40 AM
And I wish I had made the Grand Prize Winner. Says all you want to say about the ineffable beauty of beer.
Joe Stange - December 14, 2010 12:26 PM
Sorry, that should have been "RFK Stadium." Just to be clear. Also I remembered that it was a Bass, not a Pilsner Urquell. Some journalist I am. However the part about the team being god-awful is absolutely accurate and can be independently verified by various sources.
And I am really, really excited to get a couple of Ron's books.
dave - December 14, 2010 8:00 PM
Thanks again for running this contest Alan, especially during such a hectic time of year (I only have a new born, and feel overwhelmed... nonetheless four kids). Love seeing all the beer photos. Congrats to everyone.
Alan - December 14, 2010 9:03 PM
Confirmation emails going out tonight and tomorrow.
Jeff Alworth - December 15, 2010 1:59 AM
Well, this seals it. I was feeling guilty about not having offered up something from Beervana, and now I feel duty-bound to make a donation for next year's contest. I'll go buy some beer and put them in the cellar now, so they'll be ready for you next year.
Thanks for the prize and thanks especially for the event. Always a highlight of the season--
Jeff Wayne - December 15, 2010 3:20 PM
Thanks for running the contest and thank you for awarding my photo with a prize. I'm looking forward to reading Around Brussels in 80 Beers! It will come in handy on my trip across the pond next summer.
Frank - December 15, 2010 7:38 PM
Great job Alan. Another fun photo contest this year.
Mike Lang - December 19, 2010 3:23 PM
Alan, well done and what fun! I was excited to contribute and really enjoyed the photographs and your write up. There is no doubt beer is just plain photogenic!