Expert beer tasters determine top home brew in Regina

The 23rd annual competition to determine the best homemade beer in Regina attracted many entries to challenge the tasting abilities of judges for the Ales Club Open.

Beer enthusiasts gathered in the basement of Regina's BushwakkerBrewpub for the sixth and final day of the week-long event.

"It's a real science these days how brewing is done," Neal Markwich, from club, said. "Particularly at the home level, it's come a long ways and there's still a long ways to go."

Even the judging of beer has become more sophisticated.

Gary Falkenstein, one of the judges, explained what he was looking for in a German Pilsner he tasted.

"[A flavour] like toasted cracker," he said. "We're looking for a little bit of spicy German hop, aroma and flavour. Just generally a real clean beer."

In addition to bragging rights, the competition provides winning beer makers with some cash prizes and medals.

• EXTERNAL LINK: Ales Club of Regina