So the umpteenth annual Toronado Barleywine Fest that started Saturday, picked their winners out of the 54 entries…

If you never made it down there this weekend, better hurry because with 90 judges + the assorted entourages, guzzling groupies and no goodniks about, the good stuff runs out fast…

Below the belt is the scoop on the Toronado proceedings and links to the winning breweries

2007 Toronado Barleywine Fest Winners

First Place: Big Nugget 200, from Alaskan Brewing, Juneau, Alaska,

Wining brew was 11 percent alcohol, with 75 IBU (International bitterness units).
In Comparison To A Non-Barleywine: Budweiser has 13 IBU, and just 5 percent Alcohol By Volume.

Second Place: Angel’s Share, Port Brewing/Lost Abbey, San Marcos CA.

Third Place.
Anniversary 2004, Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, UT tied with Doggie Claws, from Hair of the Dog, Portland, OR.

Interesting how a beer with 9.8 alcohol % made it outta Utah, where I don’t think they can even sell stuff with that percentage there…

the read the full story from a judge head over to http://www.beernewsletter.com/blog/2007/02/2007-toronado-barleywine-fest-winners

p.s don’t forget , just because the mayor is sitting it out doesn’t mean you should, Strong Beer Month lasts another few days at spots around town…