Beer judges who evaluate entries in the 5th Annual Lagerpalooza understand what’s required to brew an exceptional lager.

Compared to an ale, homebrewing a lager generally requires slightly more knowledge, equipment, and expertise, says Cody McKendrick, a Lagerpalooza competition coordinator and co-owner of Salt City Brew Supply.

A solid understanding of yeast — health, pitch rate, etc. — is critical, as is temperature control immediately following the boil and during fermentation. Because most lagers are pretty light, they tend to be less forgiving to flaws.

“If you have an error in an IPA, it’s like whispering in a rock concert,” McKendrick says. “If you have a German Helles with a similar flaw, it’s like a whisper in a closet. There’s not as much to hide behind.”

While technical aspects are important, don’t forget about patience. It could be months between brewing and drinking a lager.

But, as they say, all good things are worth waiting for.

Bonus: Subscribe to the Utah Beer News Podcast and listen to our interview with Ross Metzger and Cody McKendrick. Lagerpalooza competition coordinators and owners of Salt City Brew Supply, the two detail exactly what the 5th Annual Lagerpalooza entails.

5th Annual Lagerpalooza

The wait is nearly over for lager fans eager to sip last year’s Lagerpalooza Best of Show winner. You’ll have your chance on May 5 at Midvale’s Bohemian Brewery.

Homebrewer Curt McCuistion took home top honors in May 2018 and brewed the Baltic Porter last August at Bohemian Brewery. It will be the featured attraction at this year’s Lagerpalooza.

“Every year, people at the event get to (purchase) last year’s winning beer, which is pretty cool,” says Ross Metzger, also a Lagerpalooza competition coordinator and co-owner of Salt City Brew Supply. “The winner gets their name on a can and some bragging rights to show they helped make the beer everybody’s drinking.”

The inaugural Lagerpalooza in 2015 included about 60 entries. This year, judges will be evaluating more than 200 lagers from entrants across the country.

Sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association, McKendrick says it could be one of the largest lager-only homebrew competitions and festivals in the country.

“We felt there was a large enough homebrewing scene (in Utah) to support more homebrewing competitions,” he says of starting up the competition five years ago. “We were really passionate about lagers and we happened to be just down the street from a brewery (Bohemian) that brews only lagers. So we thought it was a natural fit.”

In addition to medals, gold medal winners in several categories will receive prizes donated by various craft beer suppliers. That’s another unique aspect to the competition.

“I don’t think most competitions like this give out prizes,” Metzger says. “We’ve always been able to do a prize for at least gold medal winners of each category and the three Best of Show (places).”

It’s a Festival, Too

Don’t sleep on the outdoor lager-only beer festival that accompanies the homebrew competition. Bohemian Brewery’s back parking lot transforms into a party-like atmosphere from noon to 5 p.m. Here’s what to expect:

• Bohemian will be pouring its lagers, as well as guest taps from T.F. Brewing, Hopkins Brewing, and Wasatch Brewery
• Bratwurst and perhaps additional menu items will be available for purchase
• Homebrewers will be brewing beer on-site. If you’re interested in learning the hobby — or taking your brewing to the next level — stop by and ask questions
• Bohemian will be offering tours of its brewhouse

It may not necessarily be a Cinco de Mayo celebration, but the timing of Lagerpalooza isn’t a coincidence. Organizers try to plan the event near National Homebrew Day, which falls on May 7.

Each year, the Saturday before National Homebrew Day, homebrewers from around the country raise a collective toast to the hobby.

So do that on Saturday. And then on Sunday…

“Come down, have a couple of drinks, enjoy the weather, see some brewing, ask questions about lagers,” McKendrick says. “Just enjoy beer, that’s what it’s about.”

Lagerpalooza: If You Go

• WHEN: Sunday, May 5. Beer competition judging will take place prior to the event. Food, music, and beer will be available from noon to 5 p.m. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
• WHERE: Bohemian Brewery, 94 E. Fort Union Blvd., Midvale, UT 84047
• WHAT: The 5th Annual Lagerpalooza is a pro-am homebrew competition and outdoor beer festival. Last year’s Best of Show beer — a Baltic Porter brewed by Curt McCuistion — will be available for the first time. Lagers from Bohemian Brewery, as well as from T.F. Brewing, Hopkins Brewing Co., and Wasatch Brewery, will be available for purchase.
• NOTABLE: A portion of sales of the Best of Show beer will be donated to a charity of McCuistion’s choice. Sugar House Distillery is donating a 15-gallon barrel — empty — to be raffled off to help raise money for charity as well. “Sugar House Distillery has been really good to support homebrewing the last few years,” McKendrick says. “They’ve been good about getting their 15-gallon barrels into the hands of homebrewers.”
• MORE INFO: The lager competition is closed, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had day-of. Visit the Lagerpalooza Facebook Page for additional details.

Note: Keep an eye out for a future Utah Beer News article featuring more about Salt City Brew Supply and the soon-to-open Bewilder Brewing Co. Check out the Bewilder Brewing Kickstarter campaign.