Winners of the 2019 B'tsisa Home-Brew Competition

This season's second home-brewing competition was the prestigious Alexander B'tsisa (Hebrew for "In Fermentation").  It was organized by the Beer & Beyond beer super-store in Tel Aviv, and sponsored by the Alexander Brewery.  the award ceremony was held at the Alexander Beer Garden in Modi'in. 

Winners were chosen in six different categories, plus the Best in Show.  One interesting note: In the Dark Lager category, no entry received enough points to qualify for the first prize. 

So without further ado, here is the list of winners, I believe for the first time in English: 

Elad Talby receives his
Best-in-Show Award
from Shachar Hertz (left),
owner of Beer & Beyond,
and Ori Sagi, owner of
the Alexander Brewery.

Best in Show
Elad Talby -- New England IPA

Dark Lager

First:  None

Second:  Emmanuel Peled

Third:  Neveh Lazer

German Wheat

First:  Omer Laser

Second:  Asaf Murkes 

Third:  Elchanan Hopper Hornman 

Belgian Pale Ale

First:  Jason Barnett

Second:  Ori Schweid

Third:  Neveh Lazar

Honorable Mention: Elad Lander and Elchanan Hopper Hornman 

British Dark Ale

First:  Steven and Boaz Blumo

Second: Noam Shalev

Third:  Emmanuel Peled 

     

New England IPA

First:  Elad Talby

Second:  Lior Digabli

Third:  Constantine Katkov

Spiced Beer

First:  Lior Digabli

Second: Eran Shtrul

Third: Omer Leon

Honorable Mention: Uri Schweid and Constantine Katkov 

Elad Talby's elegantly
designed bottle label for
his home-brand,"Talbeer."
  

I was able to track down 32-year-old Elad Talby and get a bottle of his Best-in-Show New England IPA.  Elad is no stranger to the B'tsisa, having won first prize in the Session IPA category two years ago. [You can read about that here.] 

I admit that I have never tasted a New England IPA that conforms to the style descriptions: hazy, juicy, sweet and creamy; no hop bitterness; fruity and floral flavors.
  
Elad's NEIPA comes the closest.  For example, it is a very cloudy, brownish orange color, with sweet aromas of fruit -- grapefruit, mango and banana.  The taste brings more fruit and yeast, but is very bitter, not like the NEIPAs I read about.  In fact, this sweet smell vs bitter taste is a pleasant slap in the face.  The body is full; actually mouth coating.  The finish is dry.  

It may not be how I imagine NEIPAs, but Elad's Best-in-Show is the most enjoyable "extreme" beer I have tasted this year.  

Congratulations to Elad for this impressive achievement.  I'm sure this isn't the last time we'll hear his name.