Winners of the 2019 competitions
Here are the winners of the various competitions. The full judges’ report will come as soon as we’ve written it up.
All photos: Bjørn Harald Færøvik from Eik&Tid.
Winner best kornøl
Lars-Tunet Bryggeri, by Lars Andreas Tomasgård and Einar Helge Tomasgård.
First place went to Lars-Tunet Bryggeri (Lars Andreas Tomasgård and Einar Helge Tomasgård) from Hornindal for his Konnjøl (number 27), a traditional kornøl from Hornindal. A raw ale with juniper infusion fermented with his own kveik (#21 Tomasgård).
The judges’ description is that the ale is “sweet, with very clear, classic kornøl flavors: floury umami and mushroom, with a light juniper character, and clear fruit from the juniper. A delicate and easy-to-drink ale with lots of complexity.”
Lars Andreas also won in 2016.
2nd place, best kornøl
Thor Humberset.
Won by Thor Humberset from Ørsta, for ale number 11, a Stjørdalsøl made from barley malt that he has dried and smoked himself with alder wood. A raw ale with juniper infusion fermented with #48 Hovden.
The judges’ assessment: “Strong alder smoke flavor with clear notes of warm wood. Sweet taste of bonfire and juniper, balanced by a light acidity in the finish. A very good and powerful ale.”
3rd place, best kornøl
Ivar Geithung.
3rd place went to Ivar Geithung, from Vasstrond’e Småbryggjarlaug, for ale number 20, Chop and Brew Haimabrygg. A Vossaøl with juniper infusion, meadowsweet and home-grown hops, fermented with #1 Sigmund.
The judges’ assessment: “A complex and relatively sweet ale with strong flavor of banana, spices and other fruit. Very good, and deceptively easy-to-drink given its strength.”
Innovation with tradition
This class was new in 2019, and was definitely a challenge for the judges to judge. The winner was Torkjel Austad, who won with a sake (Japanese rice ale) fermented with #6 Lærdal.
The judges’ assessment: “A relatively sweet sake, with clean, clear flavors of mushroom, umami and tropical fruit. Very good, complex, and delicate. Clearly a successful fusion of Norwegian and Japanese culture.”
Public’s favorite
Marianne Løvlid and Håkon Seljeset.
Håkon Seljeset and Marianne Løvlid won the public’s favorite with their traditional Kornøl, 7%, fermented with #21 Stalljen. Ale number 47 in the program.