The Scioto, Olentangy, and Darby Zymurgists (SODZ)
Competitions
We brew to compete
Have you got what it takes?
We believe a little friendly competition is a great way to have fun and keep raising the bar on our beers, ciders, and meads. Whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned brewer, there’s something for everyone. Here’s what we offer:
- Two annual BJCP competitions open to all homebrewers: British Beer Fest and Beer for Boobs
- Monthly club competitions held at our regular meetings
- The Iron Kettle, our exclusive members-only challengE
- Support for other homebrew competitions in the community
- Our new Volunteer of the Year program
Awards
The Don Croucher Brewer of the Year Award
In 2024, we renamed our top honor to the Don Croucher Brewer of the Year Award in memory of long-time member Don Croucher, who passed away that year. Don helped many people start home brewing, was known for his wit and kindness, and had strong ties to Central Ohio breweries through his work in brewery insurance. He was also part of the team that helped reopen the historic Hoster Brewing Company in Columbus.
The award is generously sponsored by Hoster Brewing and Don’s good friend Dick Stevens, formerly of Elevator Brewing Co.
How it works: Each club year (September to June), all SODZ members start with a clean slate.
Points are earned by placing in:
- Our two BJCP competitions
- The Iron Kettle contest
- Monthly club competitions
- National Homebrew Competition (NHC)
The winner is announced at the Summer Picnic and receives the rotating trophy, a personalized medal, and a $100 gift card at the September meeting.
Click here for more details on Brewer of the Year and to view the current Leaderboard.
Volunteer of the Year Award
The strength of SODZ comes from the time and energy our members contribute to supporting the club and the homebrewing community. To recognize these efforts, we are proud to introduce the Volunteer of the Year Award—an annual honor celebrating the member who has gone above and beyond in service throughout the year.
The SODZ calendar resets every September and runs through the following August. Points are awarded for a variety of volunteer activities, and the member with the highest total at the end of the club year will be named Volunteer of the Year and awarded a $50 gift card for Buckeye Brewcraft. Additionally, the first runner-up will earn a $25 gift card.
Our first winners will be announced in 2026 for the 2025-2026 season. This will coincide with the Brewer of the Year award presentation.
Learn more about Volunteer of the Year by viewing the current Leaderboard
SODZ members produce a collaboration beer for 2022 Learn to Homebrew Day hosted at Nocterra Brewing Co in Powell, Ohio
Iron Kettle Competition
Our Iron Kettle competition, sponsored by Buckeye BrewCraft and hosted by Hoster Brewing in recent years, brings the spirit of Iron Chef to homebrewing! Competitors bring their mobile brewing equipment to brew on-site, using identical kits prepared by Buckeye BrewCraft. These kits include base malt, specialty grains, hops, and one or more secret ingredients that must be featured prominently in the final beer.
Each brewer must create a unique recipe and brew using only the ingredients provided in the kit. Brewers can bring two yeast options to the event and decide which one to pitch. The competition typically takes place in June, with the final beers unveiled at the SODZ Summer Picnic. Judging happens there, and the winner takes home the club’s coveted “iron kettle” until the next year’s competition.
Join us for a fun, creative brewing challenge with a dash of mystery!
British Beer Fest
Join us for the British Beer Fest, an exciting celebration of British and Irish beer styles, held each year in April. Sanctioned by the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), this competition is open to British and Irish beer styles, as well as cider and mead, and uses the latest Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) beer, cider and mead guidelines.
Each year at British Beer Fest, one brewer earns extra recognition by winning the Lucci Cup, awarded for the best beer in a featured British style category. In recent years, that’s included styles like Irish Red Ale and Burton Ale. Named in honor of actress Susan Lucci, who famously went years without winning a Daytime Emmy award, the Lucci Cup celebrates perseverance
Beer for Boobs
Held every October, the Beer for Boobs homebrew competition brings together homebrewers and supporters for a great cause. It is SODZ’s annual philanthropic event supporting the Beer for Boobs non-profit, which works to increase breast cancer awareness and improve research in the field. SODZ raises funds through a silent auction, raffle ticket sales, and competition entry fees.
Beer for Boobs is AHA-sanctioned and open to all beer, cider, and mead styles in the current BJCP guidelines. This is a full-day event and we need volunteers in the weeks leading up to the competition for tasks like collecting auction items, sorting entries, and, of course, judges, stewards, and cellar staff on competition day.
Join us in supporting Beer for Boobs and making a difference while celebrating fantastic brews!
Monthly Club Competitions
From September to May, SODZ hosts themed club competitions at our monthly meetings. These casual competitions are open to all paid members, and we encourage you to bring one or more beers, ciders, or meads that fit the month’s theme. Registration is free and is done on-site; simply bring a bottle, can, or growler for each entry.
Special thanks go to Dave Curran for coordinating the club competitions for the last several years, never missing a meeting! In 2025 Jared Parko stepped into this role, so be sure to find Jared when you drop off your entries at the monthly meetings.
If you’re new to SODZ or attending for the first time, you might be invited to judge and help decide the winners! There are no scoresheets—just a simple, Best of Show-style selection where 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are chosen by consensus.
The winner of each club competition receives a $25 gift card and gets to keep our rotating Mash Paddle Trophy until the next month’s meeting.
Below is the schedule for the 2025-2026 season’s club competitions.
Proud supporters of the Barley’s Brewing Co. Homebrew Competition
SODZ is a proud supporter of the annual Barley’s Homebrew Competition, one of the most exciting brewing events in Central Ohio. Our members consistently participate—and often take home top honors!
This long-running competition typically opens for entries in late April, with judging held in late April or early May.
The winner is announced at Afternoon with the Brewers, a free celebration at Barley’s Brewcadia in May. At this lively event, guests can mingle with local brewers, enjoy a variety of beers on guest taps, and witness the crowning of the new champion.
As part of the tradition, the winning beer from the previous year is released as a professionally brewed, scaled-up version on the Barley’s system—an incredible honor for any homebrewer.
SODZ plays a key role in supporting the event. We help promote the competition, assist with logistics like entry drop-offs, and we’ve even had members serve on the judging panel.
Join SODZ today!
Make friends, drink beer.
Annual membership is $15, and we think it’s one of the best investments you can make in your brewing journey.
Click the JOIN NOW! (Paypal link) below, or sign up in person at a monthly meeting, where we can also accept cash or a check.