Hows my little GoatFest?

BockFest 2014 was one for the record books. The food was amazing, the beer quality was top notch, and as always the people made it great. I love this weekend because it's one of the only times I can actually create a worthy excuse to get friends to visit central Illinois.

This the best photo of the beer setup I got.

It's hard to tell but there is food on that workbench.

We had a small hiccup with planning this year. It was originally scheduled to be at Sleepy Creek again but we changed it to our house for a couple of reasons. Since we are seasoned homebrew partiers we rolled with it and had no issues. We had a smaller turnout this year so that helped keep things in the garage and around the fire reasonable. Since it was only in the mid-40s we needed as much space around the fire as we could occupy.

The beers this year were all good! Not just good for a homebrew, but good, solid, and enjoyable beers. Amazingly my beer didn't loose by the landslide it usually does and I got third! Ending my last place streak at 3 BockFests. It was a tight race this year though and the point spread between first and sixth(last) was 10 points! Normally I'm over 20 points away from second to last so that's really a testament to our good quality beers! Our first repeat champion this year was Zack Frazier with his Raisin Bock, He got the traveling trophy stein back along with a prize Bock.

This is the only picture I have of Zack at BockFest. Just imagine him with a big stein and bigger smile.

This year was a throwback year to our first obstacle course and did much of it the same as in 2011. While carrying a beer we hopped on one foot from the back of the house to the front. The teammate in the front was spinning while blindfolded. After person one handed off the beer they shouted directions for the blindfolded person in the front to make a figure 8 around our trees and duck under a sawhorse. Ryan and I came back victorious for the second year in a row and won a celebrator bock each. We are building an obstacle course dynasty.

My sister is practicing Michelle's technique apparently.

Winners of the BockFest obstacle course!

 The rest of the night was filled with good times, eating good food, staying warm, caramelizing beers, catching up with good friends, and a good game of kubb.

Melanie showing off her layers at the end of the night.

BockFest was a fun and successful thing event and we are already planning on hosting our 5th annual BockFest in late march 2015. See you there!