Better luck next beer

COEUR d'ALENE - Steve Anderson was just inches away from homebrew glory this summer when he placed ninth in the national Samuel Adams Longshot American Homebrew Contest, but he finally received the news in August that he did not advance to the top four.

"The contest is over for me, but four other people are going on," the Coeur d'Alene resident said.

The Press ran an article July 22 informing readers of Anderson's exciting advancement to ninth place in the contest with potential to move forward. Anderson has entered the contest the last seven years and had never advanced so far, but previously won a "best of style" award. The contest annually receives thousands of entries from brewing hopefuls who want to win the grand prize - which includes $5,000, an all-expense-paid trip to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, and Sam Adams will buy their recipe, bottle their beer and place their name and photo on the label.

However, Anderson's bubble has not been completely popped. He is looking forward to receiving feedback from judges about his "70% Wheat" traditional German-style beer, and is optimistic about entering the contest next year.

"I build off those," he said. "If they tell me it was too malty, I'll back off the malt."

Anderson, an employee at Make Wine, Make Beer, has been experimenting with home-brewed beer for several years. He is an active member of Idahops and plans to once again attend Harrison's Oktoberfest celebration from 1-7 p.m. Oct. 4 with homebrew samples to share with the public.