2007 Label Contest Winners
Each year, as the many hundreds of entries for our annual label contest start filtering in, a feeling of anticipation grows among the BYO staff. Many a battle has been won and lost among the judges over the Grand Champion, Gold, Silver and Bronze winners. Personal favorites are chosen, alliances are formed, battles are waged and compromises are few. OK, the real truth is it’s very hard to pick the best labels from all the creative and diverse entries we see, and this year was no exception. From the classic to the graphic, we eyeballed them all — agonizing over their finer points, poring over their stories and asking each other, “What do you think?”, “What would that look like on a bottle?” and “Why didn’t I think of that?!” In the end, we all developed a real sweet tooth for our Grand Champion and narrowly agreed on the rest. Take a minute to drink in this year’s top designs, and winners — don’t forget to take a bow!
Doug Hansel • Londonderry, New Hampshire
Prize: Gift certificate from Beer and Wine Hobb
Grand Champion
Alan Guidera • Rochester, New York Inspired by “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” one of the all-time best (and some may say spookiest) films about candy, Alan cooked up the idea for this label after adding cocoa powder, roasted cacao beans and chocolate essence to a stout that even Willy himself could love. “Now that I’m older, winning a tour of a chocolate factory doesn’t seem so fantastic anymore. However, a lifetime supply of beer would be a dream come true!” Prizes: 40-quart stainless steel brew pot with threaded valve opening and stainless steel ball valve from Polar Ware Company; Gift certificate from Grape and Granary; Gift card from Bader Beer & Wine Supply Inc.; Fleece jacket from Muntons p.l.c.; Organic beer ingredients kit from BrewOrganic.com; Gift certificate from Homebrewers Outpost & Mail Order Co.; Yeast coupons from White Labs, Inc.; Books from Above the Rest Homebrewing Supplies
Gold
Chris Hadden • Portland, Maine We may all move into Chris’ neighborhood where his postman, Mike (an Old Port legend & motorcycle enthusiast), is the king of special deliveries. “Not only does he deliver bills and catalogs, but on occasion he drops off his latest brew — after hours — for a tasting.” This label is for Mike’s outstanding red ale. Prizes: 25-liter super reflux oil extractor (as used in New Zealand for distillation) with necessary turbo yeast, sugars and Still Spirits liqueur essences from Brewcraft USA; Gift card from Bader Beer & Wine Supply Inc.; Organic beer ingredients kit from BrewOrganic.com; Gift certificate from Homebrewers Outpost & Mail Order Co.; Yeast coupons from White Labs, Inc.
Silver
Geoff Haas • Saint Paul, Minnesota It’s a typical he says/she says situation. Geoff says his favorite homebrew tastes citrusy, floral, resinous or piney. His wife says, simply, “soap.” To honor his hoppy habit, Geoff designed this label for his home growlers and said he even shared a few with his wife’s IT group when they helped fix his computer. “I spent a little more time (on it) than I orginally planned, but once I started it was hard to stop!” Prizes: New 5 lb. CO2 tank from KegKits.com; Gift card from Bader Beer & Wine Supply Inc.; Organic beer ingredients kit from BrewOrganic.com; Gift certificate from Homebrewers Outpost & Mail Order Co.; Yeast coupons from White Labs, Inc.
Bronze
Steve Micallef • N. Kingstown, Rhode Island Steve & his friend Abdullah Khaliqi have an understanding about Abdullah’s Abrewllah and Co. homebrews. “After he brews the beer, I make the labels,” Steve said. Naturally, they both enjoy the results. Prizes: Party Pig set-up package from Quoin Industrial; Four gross of bottle caps and two 28-inch plastic spoons from The Flying Barrel; Gift card from Bader Beer & Wine Supply Inc.; Organic beer ingredients kit from BrewOrganic.com; Gift certificate from Homebrewers Outpost & Mail Order Co.; Yeast coupons from White Labs, Inc.
Honorable Mention Awards
Bill Oates • Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania Prize: Gift certificate from Homebrewers Outpost & Mail Order Co.
