August 25, 2021 |
The new director of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Knotwell, was at her desk working this week. Organizing and staging her first-ever Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival did not chase her off.
Knotwell did it with style. The final attendance numbers have not been tallied yet, but at least 520 people were on Saturday for the 25th annual microbrew competition. In all 17 brewers were on hand pouring beer. Twelve of them were competing for the coveted traveling trophy — the Steinley Cup. This year’s competition brew was a porter beer. Knotwell said the winner was Accomplice Beer Company.
The competition beers had to pass the taste test of four professional beer judges from Colorado. This year’s judging crew has been attending the brew fest in Saratoga for years. Because they’re from out of state, they can render their verdicts without any hometown bias. The Steinley Cup competition is open to Wyoming breweries only.
Knotwell did introduce a new flavor of her own to the competition this year. She opened the “People’s Choice” section of the competition to Colorado brewers for the first time ever. Despite out-of-state competition for the first time ever, a Wyoming brewer turned out to be the crowd favorite.
Ah! The not-so-secret ingredient. While we are not privy to the exact recipe, Teddy Grahams are a bear-shaped graham cracker snack made by Nabisco. They are available in various flavors, including chocolate, cinnamon, honey and vanilla.
Saturday’s weather was cool and mild, which made for a pleasant afternoon on Veteran’s Island. Historically, temperatures have bordered on blistering hot. The competition did share the island with a wedding reception, which was scheduled at the same time. Beer and weddings are not a stretch, though. This year’s event was not only the first Brew Festival, Knotwell has organized, it was the first one she’s ever attended.
The first time for anything is always learning experience. Knotwell said she already has list of changes for next year, including features she wants to add and things she wants to omit. Rather than being scared off, she’s raring for an even bigger event next year.
Pictured above: Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Amanda Knotwell presents the Steinly Cup trophy to winners Accomplice Beer Company. Photo courtesy Accomplice Beer Company/Facebook.
