Sips: Bring your own brew

October is the unofficial month for celebrating beer, a time when Oktoberfests and homebrew festivals reach a peak nationwide. In Baton Rouge, we do things differently, and in July the first Baton Rouge Beer Fest was held at the River Center with more than 100 varieties available for tasting. Although the beer selection was intimidatingly grand, the highlight of Beer Fest was the home brew competition. Ron Dunham of Central, a member of the local homebrewing club “Brasseurs a la Maison,” won over the judges with his strawberry amber ale, which delivered a real “punch of strawberry,” according to event officials. Other interesting homebrews included a honey kolsch, a coriander twist amber and a watermelon kolsch. The only place you’ll be able to find these homebrews is either at a fundraiser or another festival, but if the idea of concocting a brew sounds tasty, check out brew kits online at redstickhomebrewingsupplies.com. You can keep up to date with events sponsored by the Red Stick Brewmasters at hbd.org/redstick. Why not literally BYOB to your next party?