Home Wine & Craft Beer Department to include more prizes at 2021 Clay County Fair

Spencer, Iowa — The 2021 Clay County Fair Home Wine and Craft Beer Department will include 15 divisions in the wine category and nine divisions in the craft beer category, as well as a new beer or wine label competition.

“No matter your skill level, entering your wine or beer exhibit into the Fair is a great way to receive professional feedback on what you’ve brewed because our judges are either local winery and brewery owners or experienced certified judges,” said Superintendent Kristen Hartwig. “As home brewing of wines and beers become more popular, this is a great opportunity to win prizes and gain experience, and it’s really easy to enter.”

Sponsors include InnSpiration Wines and Vines, Doll Distributing, F8 Creative, and HyVee. Prizes will include cash premiums, gift certificates, growlers, and beer signs.

All exhibitors planning to enter a project within this department must enter two bottles of wine or craft beer. This allows for the entry to be judged and displayed during the nine days of the Fair, Sept. 11-19.

“We know how popular home brewing and homemade wine is today,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “The addition of the new label competition is just one more expansion for this department.”

Check out the exhibitor handbook online at www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the Fair. Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by August 29. For those who choose not to pre-register, registration can also occur when entries are accepted at the Creative Living Center on Sept. 7 (11:00am-2:00pm and 4:30pm-6:00pm).