Manchester, NH • December 20, 2007 — Brew Free or Die (BFD) and Southern Maine Home brewers clubs today donated $2,000, raised at their joint event, the Second Annual New England Regional Home brew Competition. The event was held at Milly’s Tavern in Manchester , NH , on Saturday, November 3rd, 2007. The donation to the American Cancer Society is made in honor of Don Merkey, a member of BFD who succumbed to cancer in 2005.
"We are grateful that The New England Regional Home brew Competition chose to donate their proceeds to the fight against cancer," said Brigit Ryan of the American Cancer Society. "This money will go toward cancer research, services for patients, and prevention and detection programs."
The New England Regional Home brew Competition, sponsored by Gritty McDuff’s, with 250 entries, is the largest homebrewing competition in New England , and is sanctioned by the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The competition awards gold, silver and bronze medals in 28 beer-style categories. Home brewer, Cidermaker and Meadmaker of the year honors, plus the Best of Show Award, are awarded to the top amateur brewers as determined through the competition. A complete list of winners is available on the competition website, http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC.
Brew Free or Die, New Hampshire’s Oldest Home brew Club, and Southern Maine Home brewers wish to thank all the entrants and sponsors of the event, including Gritty McDuff’s of Maine, Shapleigh Hops, White Labs, Samuel Adams, Sky River Mead, and Giles Apple Farm among many other local and national firms. A complete list of sponsors is available on http://www.bfd.org/NERHBC.
“We are glad to have the opportunity to contribute to this event and the American Cancer Society”, said Eric Sprague of Southern Maine Homebrewers.
"Don was a past president of BFD and was very enthusiastic about the idea of a New Hampshire based national homebrew competition." said Mary Russell, BFD President 2008. "It is wonderful that our brew clubs have been able to put this competition together and I hope that we will be able to build on this year's success and continue this competition as a tribute to Don."
Brew Free or Die (BFD) is New Hampshire 's first, and most active, homebrew club. It was founded in 1991 to foster the brewing and appreciation of craft beer in Central and Southern New Hampshire . Many BFD members have won awards for their brewing. BFD members have served as both judges and stewards at numerous regional and national competitions. Among the BFD membership is a Grand-Master BJCP beer judge.
