SIDNEY — The deadline for submitting names for Shelby County’s Bicentennial Beer has passed, and the members of the Shelby County Bicentennial Beer Subcommittee will meet shortly to determine which entry will be selected announced Shelby County Commissioner Tony Bornhorst. Bornhorst chairs the Shelby County Bicentennial Beer Subcommittee.
“You just never know how many entries you will receive when you hold a contest,” Bornhorst stated as he looked though the entry forms. “Like so many things in life, I’ve learned that it’s not necessarily the number, but the quality that counts. And, we’ve got some good ones!”
The deadline for entries was Friday. Submissions were only accepted from those 21 years of age or older in part because the individual who submitted the winning entry will receive the first case of beer brewed and a check in the amount of $250.
It is planned that the bicentennial beer will be a pilsner. Pilsner is a type of pale lager. It takes its name from the Czech city of Pilsen, where it was first produced in 1842.
The beer is being produced at Moeller’s Brew Barn in Maria Stein. Brew Master Nick Moeller has been working closely with the members of the subcommittee. The subcommittee members recently visited Moeller’s Brew Barn, toured the expanded facility, and sampled product.
Moeller Brew Barn produces a number of craft beers. Those beers include Dirt Track Kolsch, Frogtown IPA, Moweizen, Wally Post Red, Hoppy Heff, Hazy Mae Ekuanot, Marzen Oktoberfest, Honeywagon IPA, Blackberry Prairie Wheat, Baked Oatmeal Stout, Dunkel Weizen and Sawcreek Pale.
“Nick has been great to work with,” Bornhorst said. “We intend that the sale of the new beer will coincide with Shelby County’s Bicentennial celebration. Our opening event is scheduled for April 1. Depending upon the length of time it will take to brew the beer, it is possible that we could have some for sale that evening.”
“We are fortunate that we are receiving some professional assistance,” Bornhorst said. “Former Sidney resident Susan Russell will be lending her talents to the subcommittee, reviewing the list of entries and helping us narrow the field.”
Russell, who graduated from Sidney High School in 1972, founded Russell-Mark Group in 1996. Russell-Mark Group creates both company and products names. Russell retired from the company last year. She lives in El Cerrito, California.
“Once the subcommittee has met and completed the naming selection, we will formally announce the winner,” Bornhorst stated. “Creative Marketing Strategies President Mary Beth Monnier will be helping design the labels for the cans and once that’s finished, all we have to do is allow Nick, his team and Mother Nature do the rest of the work.”
