Brew Slam 2025 Results

Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, and crew for making this competition possible! The continued success of this competition is owed to their generous donations, and heroic efforts.

Judging weekend was a ton of fun with so many familiar faces coming out to help get all the beers judged on time. Our judges especially enjoyed the lunchtime presentations from our friends Richard Preiss and Nate Ferguson of Escarpment Labs! Big thanks to Mascot Brewery Etobicoke for hosting our judging and feeding our volunteers with delicious food!

Keep an eye out for our annual wrap up post to go live in the next few weeks.

Cheers,
Eric Cousineau
Organizer, Brew Slam 2025

.

Entries

Entries RegisteredEntries PaidEntries JudgedOntario EntriesGTA Brews Entries
482469458301160

Entries per Entrant

Mean (Avg)MedianMode
3.831

Participants & Volunteers

Average Flight Size: 6.7 entries / judge pair / session

ParticipantsParticipants with EntriesVolunteersJudgesStewardsCrew
19712974501814

Most Popular Award Categories

Click Here to see the Brew Slam 2025 Award Categories.

Award Category NameNumber of EntriesBJCP Styles Included
26 – Spice / Herb / Vegetable Beer2330A, 30B, 30C, 30D
32 – Specialty Mead22M2A, M2B, M2C, M2D, M2E,
M3A, M3B, M4A, M4B, M4C

Least Popular Award Categories

Click Here to see the Brew Slam 2025 Award Categories.

Award Category NameNumber of EntriesBJCP Styles Included
22 – Brett Beer528A
29 – Traditional Cider5C1A, C1B, C1C, C1D, C1E

Prize Values

Each medal is allocated an incredible assortment of prizes, including homebrew store gift cards, brewing equipment, brewing ingredients and vouchers, brewery swag, and more!

This year we had approximately $19,000 in sponsored prizes and volunteer perks. This incredible prize pool led to each medal type having the following average values:

GoldSilverBronze
$185 ARV$130 ARV$95 ARV

.

Please join us in thanking our sponsors for their generous donations this year!

Please visit the Sponsors & Prizes page for a list of what each sponsor donated.

Title Sponsor

  • Toronto Brewing

Platinum Sponsors

  • Mascot Brewery Etobicoke
  • Common Good Beer Company
  • Kegland
  • Lallemand
  • BrewHa Equipment Co
  • Hoppy.ca
  • Escarpment Laboratories
  • INKBIRD
  • InnoMalt

Gold Sponsors

  • Bickford Brewing Co
  • The Electric Brewery
  • I.T.S. Office Pro
  • Paniza Brewing
  • Brewfather
  • Prud’homme Beer Certification
  • Yeast Canada Innovations
  • Mill Ridge Malt

Silver Sponsors

  • Beer Grains
  • Backed By Bees
  • Rorschach Brewing Co
  • Hopback Homebrew Supplies
  • Hops Connect
  • Red Tape Brewery
  • Third Moon Brewing Co
  • Burdock

Bronze Sponsors

  • Omega Yeast
  • BeerSmith
  • Tilt Hydrometers
  • Hop Bomb Apparel Co
  • Wyeast
  • Topps Hops
  • LD Carlson
  • Spike Brewing
  • Mississippi Mills Malting Co
  • American Homebrewers Association
  • Duke25 Hops
  • Canadian Homebrewers Association
  • Godspeed Brewery
  • Little Beasts Brewing Co
  • Town Brewery
  • The Granite Brewery
  • Great Lakes Brewery
  • Rouge River Brewing Co
  • Amsterdam Brewery

Click Here to see which BJCP styles are included in each Award Category

Note: Some awards have big prizes listed, but every award has been allocated a significant prize set. Please see the Competition Stats section above for the impressive average value.

All winners will receive a custom-engraved medal to commemorate their achievement!

1 – Light Lager (15 entries):

Sponsored by: Town Brewery

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stFrancisco Avila MenegazOne More Round5A: German LeichtbierGTA Brews
2ndColin GreenDave Forgot Where He Left His Diät Pils5A: German LeichtbierGTA Brews
3rdPascal Levesque Co-Brewer: Simon ArchambaultEmpirique Japonese Jasmin Rice Lager2A: International Pale LagerMontreAlers

2 – Pale Malty Lager (19 entries):

Sponsored by: Little Beasts Brewing Co

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stJames KennedyHelles Belles4A: Munich HellesGTA Brews
2ndMatt McNairYung Cellar Dweller27A1: KellerbierCowtown Yeast Wranglers
3rdMatt KingOktoberQuest4B: FestbierGTA Brews

3 – Pale Bitter Lager (20 entries):

Sponsored by: Godspeed Brewery

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stEd HitchcockStříbro A Zlato3A: Czech Pale LagerGTA Brews
2ndCasey SzottPilsNZerLSX5: New Zealand PilsnerCowtown Yeast Wranglers
3rdJames OsborneClear SignalLSX5: New Zealand Pilsner

4 – Amber Lager (16 entries):

Sponsored by: Common Good Beer Co

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stChad KlingLife On Märzen6A: MärzenVanBrewers
2ndDavid LarocqueSam’s Altbier7B: AltbierGTA Brews
3rdChad KlingBlaze On7A: Vienna LagerVanBrewers

5 – Dark Lager (14 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stShane SchlesingerMay The Schwarz Bier With You8B: SchwarzbierGTA Brews
2ndKeigan EwingUse The Schwarz8B: SchwarzbierTrue Grist
3rdEric Gaudreault Co-Brewer: Philippe DeschênesEn Revenant De Prague3D: Czech Dark LagerMontreAlers

6 – Bock (10 entries):

Sponsored by: Paniza Brewing Co

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stMatt KingIce Cold Bockstabber9B: EisbockGTA Brews
2ndChad KlingBelsnickel Bock6C: Dunkels BockVanBrewers
3rdWuilmer VenegasSweet Maillard6C: Dunkels BockGTA Brews

7 – Pale Hybrid Ale (19 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stDavid LarocqueKolsch5B: KölschGTA Brews
2ndDavid FournierChickens And Bees18A: Blonde AleOttawa’s Homebrew Society
3rdSteve ShawPhilsner1C: Cream AleWinnipeg Brew Bombers

8 – Pale English Ale (16 entries):

Sponsored by: The Granite Brewery

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stBrent BurgoyneBrown Dog Bitter11B: Best BitterIsland Brewers Union
2ndJoel TremblayLa Tour De Londres11C: Strong Bitter
3rdMichael UrlockerFresh Ale12C: English IPA

9 – Pale American Ale (19 entries):

Sponsored by: Bickford Brewing Co

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stWesley d’HaeneConvolved18B: American Pale AleCowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndKevin O’Reilly1019 PA18B: American Pale AleNorth Bay Homebrewers Club
3rdCasey SzottLazy Lap Dog18B: American Pale AleCowtown Yeast Wranglers

10 – Amber & Brown British Ale (20 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stJoel TremblayKiss Me I’m Irish15A: Irish Red Ale
2ndWuilmer VenegasCoco Viejo14C: Scottish ExportGTA Brews
3rdChris GeorgeFall Line Mild13A: Dark MildGTA Brews

11 – Amber & Brown American Ale (14 entries):

Sponsored by: Amsterdam Brewery

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stKyle KellamEscape Artists Never Die19A: American Amber AleGTA Brews
2ndWuilmer VenegasLet Me Say Something!19A: American Amber AleGTA Brews
3rdSean O’DonnellThe Kavorka19C: American Brown AleOttawa’s Homebrew Society

12 – Porter (9 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stWesley d’HaeneTwo Poles On The Imaginary Axis20A: American PorterCowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndEric CousineauPlummers Porter20A: American PorterGTA Brews
3rdColin GreenTiny Baltic Fists9C: Baltic PorterGTA Brews

13 – Stout (11 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stSean O’DonnellShroud Of Carlingford16A: Sweet StoutOttawa’s Homebrew Society
2ndDavid FournierIndulgence16A: Sweet StoutOttawa’s Homebrew Society
3rdDavid Chang-SangMonty’s Mettle15C: Irish Extra StoutGTA Brews

14 – Strong Stout (6 entries):

Sponsored by: Rouge River Brewing Co

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stPascal Levesque Co-Brewer: Simon ArchambaultEmpirique Imperial Stout20C: Imperial StoutMontreAlers
2ndYacine Boujija Co-Brewer: Dominic G.; Pierre-André M.Vieille Stout20C: Imperial StoutMontreAlers
3rdSean O’DonnellSerenity Noir16C: Tropical StoutOttawa’s Homebrew Society

15 – Classic IPA (17 entries):

Sponsored by: Great Lakes Brewery

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stCasey SzottNorth Parking21A: American IPACowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndChad KlingSay It To Me C.I.T.R.A.21A: American IPAVanBrewers
3rdJames OsborneSunset Express21A: American IPA

16 – Hazy IPA (18 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stCameron NortonChasing A Sun Beam21C: Hazy IPAVanBrewers
2ndCasey SzottBing Bop Boom Boom Boom Bop Bam21C: Hazy IPACowtown Yeast Wranglers
3rdShane SchlesingerFor Schvitz & Giggles21C: Hazy IPAGTA Brews

17 – Specialty IPA (20 entries):

Sponsored by: Third Moon Brewing

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stCasey SzottKakow!21B: Specialty IPACowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndRene MauriceSession IPA21B: Specialty IPACottage Country Brewers
3rdJohn PostRye-Not21B5: Rye IPACowtown Yeast Wranglers

18 – Wheat & Rye Beer (18 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stMatt McNairThe Decline10C: WeizenbockCowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndWuilmer VenegasLa Margara10A: WeissbierGTA Brews
3rdEric ParkerThe Spring Sessional1D: American Wheat BeerVanBrewers

19 – Belgian & French Ale (16 entries):

Sponsored by: Red Tape Brewery

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stMatt McNairLong Live Saison25B: SaisonCowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndDaniel ChibaniBritain’s Envy24B: Belgian Pale AleGTA Brews
3rdShane SchlesingerRubber Chicken BOOM!25B: SaisonGTA Brews

20 – Belgian Strong Ale (17 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stLeif BogwaldBerserker Brew House Quad26D: Belgian Dark Strong AleIsland Brewers Union (IBU)
2ndPatrick PaughThe Quadfather26D: Belgian Dark Strong AleIsland Brewers Union
3rdJosh DavisHail Mary25A: Belgian Blond AleGTA Brews

21 – Strong Ale (8 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stPoulin Louis-PhilippeLouis-Philippe Poulin22B: American Strong AleMontreAlers
2ndBill RileyBig Beautiful Bill17D: English Barley WineVanBrewers
3rdChad KlingThings I Could Not See17C: Wee HeavyVanBrewers

22 – Brett Beer (5 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stKym WattsPb2 Saison28A: Brett BeerGTA Brews
2ndEric PareZombie Yeti28A: Brett BeerMontreAlers
3rdTina LinemanSentient Beer28A: Brett BeerGTA Brews

23 – Sour Beer (16 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stGreg PatersonBeret Rouge23B: Flanders Red AleHeadhunters Brewing Club
2ndSteve ShawWhat Gose Round Is All Around23G: GoseWinnipeg Brew Bombers
3rdRene MauriceAged Peach Sour28B: Mixed Fermentation Sour BeerCottage Country Brewers
HMAlbert teBraakAdagio28B: Mixed Fermentation Sour BeerMontreAlers

24 – Specialty Wild & Sour Beer (6 entries):

Sponsored by: Burdock Brewery

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stBrian MarmoreoNosfuratu28C: Wild Specialty Beer
2ndNormand Cyr Co-Brewer: Eric Paré And Yacine BoujijaEÿn-128C: Wild Specialty BeerMontreAlers
3rdMatthew PendykEarl Grey Lemon Sour28C: Wild Specialty BeerCottage Country Brewers

25 – Fruit Beer (17 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stKeigan EwingPucker Factor 11LSX4: Catharina SourTrue Grist
2ndSteve ShawThe Guavfather29B: Fruit and Spice BeerWinnipeg Brew Bombers
3rdSteve ShawThe Juice Loosener29A: Fruit BeerWinnipeg Brew Bombers

26 – Spice / Herb / Vegetable Beer (23 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stSteve ShawMakadew30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable BeerWinnipeg Brew Bombers
2ndShane SchlesingerRed-Eyed Blonde30A: Spice, Herb, or Vegetable BeerGTA Brews
3rdReginald P. Picklefeather IIII Saw Santa Kissing David Chang Sang30C: Winter Seasonal BeerGTA Brews

27 – Smoke-Flavoured and Wood-Aged Beer (14 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stMatt McNairSmoke The Würm27A5: Piwo GrodziskieCowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndChad KlingHost Of Ghosts32A: Classic Style Smoked BeerVanBrewers
3rdAlbert teBraakFold33B: Specialty Wood-Aged BeerMontreAlers
HMKeigan EwingLonger, Darker Voyage33B: Specialty Wood-Aged BeerTrue Grist

28 – Specialty Beer (13 entries):

Sponsored by: Rorschach Brewing Co

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stEric CousineauEric Vs Josh Saison – Eric Edition34B: Mixed-Style BeerGTA Brews
2ndTina LinemanSleep Is For The Weak34C: Experimental BeerGTA Brews
3rdScott SterlingLovar34A: Commercial Specialty BeerTrue Grist

29 – Traditional Cider (5 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stAlex BenjaminMcintoshC1A: New World CiderRedic Trials
2ndTracy WatsonCider #35C1B: English CiderGTA Brews
3rdAlex BenjaminDuke Of Duxbury 2025C1B: English CiderRedic Trials

30 – Specialty Cider (8 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stAlex BenjaminWhite PeachC2B: Cider with Other FruitRedic Trials
2ndAlex BenjaminRye And GingerC2F: Specialty Cider/PerryRedic Trials
3rdAlex Benjamin Co-Brewer: Dan PardoDan’s Wild RaspberryC2B: Cider with Other FruitRedic Trials

31 – Traditional Mead (7 entries):

Sponsored by: Backed by Bees

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stChristian MlotschekMeadowfoam TraditionalM1C: Sweet MeadTrue Grist
2ndNathan Benjamin Co-Brewer: Josh HebblethwaiteBenji’s Sweet MeadM1C: Sweet Mead
3rdJulien Guay Co-Brewer: Stefan NawetterMead Number 1M1A: Dry Mead

32 – Specialty Mead (22 entries):

Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stNathan Benjamin Co-Brewer: Josh HebblethwaitePebbels PeachesM2D: Stone Fruit Mead
2ndEric CousineauMegalomeadiacM2C: Berry MeadGTA Brews
3rdKristopher BannerCanadian JavaM4C: Experimental MeadEdmonton Homebrewers Guild

Best of Show (Beer)

Awarded to the single best beer entry, as determined in a final judging round with the best beers from the whole competition.

  • 1st ($800 ARV):
    • iTap2
    • Prud’homme Level 1 Online Course
    • Mill Ridge Malt
    • Yeast, Hops, More!
  • 2nd ($325 ARV):
    • iTap
    • Spike $100 Gift Card
    • Yeast, Hops, More!
  • 3rd ($80 ARV):
    • Yeast, Hops, More!
Pl.Brewer(s)Entry NameStyleClub
1stBrian MarmoreoNosfuratu28C: Wild Specialty Beer
2ndEd HitchcockStříbro A Zlato3A: Czech Pale LagerGTA Brews
3rdWesley d’HaeneConvolved18B: American Pale AleCowtown Yeast Wranglers

Toronto Brewer of the Year

Awarded to the GTA Brews entrant with the highest medal point count from beer categories. (Gold = 3 pts, Silver = 2 pts, Bronze = 1 pt)

  • 1st ($620 ARV):
    • Spike FLEX from Toronto Brewing
    • ProAm Collab Brew with Bickford Brewing Co
    • Yeast, Hops, More!
Pl.BrewerScore
1stShane Schlesinger7.01 pts
2ndWuilmer Venegas7.00 pts
3rdEric Cousineau5.01 pts
David Larocque5.01 pts

Jon Mains Award for Top Brewer

Awarded to the top overall entrant with the highest medal point count from beer categories.  (Gold = 3 pts, Silver = 2 pts, Bronze = 1 pt)

  • 1st ($430 ARV):
    • Prud’homme Level 1 Online Course
    • Yeast, Hops, More!
Pl.Brewer1st2nd3rdScoreClub
1stMatt McNair31011.03 ptsCowtown Yeast Wranglers
2ndCasey Szott22111.02 ptsCowtown Yeast Wranglers
3rdChad Kling13211.01 ptsVanBrewers
4thSteve Shaw1229.01 ptsWinnipeg Brew Bombers
5thShane Schlesinger1127.01 ptsGTA Brews
6thWuilmer Venegas0317.00 ptsGTA Brews
7thWesley d’Haene2006.02 ptsCowtown Yeast Wranglers
8thEric Cousineau1105.01 ptsGTA Brews
David Larocque1105.01 ptsGTA Brews
Sean O’Donnell1025.01 ptsOttawa’s Homebrew Society
Keigan Ewing1105.01 ptsTrue Grist
Joel Tremblay1105.01 pts
13thPascal Levesque1014.01 ptsMontreAlers
Matt King1014.01 ptsGTA Brews
15thDavid Fournier0204.00 ptsOttawa’s Homebrew Society

Top Clubs (20 Participating Clubs) 

Pl.Club1st2nd3rdHMScore
1stGTA Brews91110059.09 pts
2ndCowtown Yeast Wranglers732029.07 pts
3rdVanBrewers243017.02 pts
4thMontreAlers233115.02 pts
5thRedic Trials212010.02 pts
6thTrue Grist21119.02 pts
7thOttawa’s Homebrew Society12209.01 pts
Winnipeg Brew Bombers12209.01 pts
9thIsland Brewers Union11005.01 pts
10thCottage Country Brewers01204.00 pts