Cleveland pharmacist wins Sam Adams LongShot American Homebrew Competition

Clevelander David Cousino (left) and Jim Koch (right) at Boston Beer’s 2016 Longshot event in Denver. (Photo by Jack Dempsey for Boston Beer Co.)

The science and technique of preparing and dispensing drugs is probably not unlike the science and execution of brewing and dispensing beer. They are both health sciences, right? Avon, Ohio’s David Cousino sees the connection. The Cleveland-area pharmacist began homebrewing nearly 25 years ago in college, and after a long hiatus, jumped back into the hobby recently. In fact, he used that scientifically tuned brain of his to become a national contender on the brewing scene, recently winning Samuel Adams’ LongShot American Homebrew Competition.

The Monsters, the UFC championship, the Cavaliers, the Longshot competition — Cleveland has never won so much in its municipal career. Might as well put the Indians World Series in the books. Cousino won the competition with a saison. Other winners were Duane Wilson of New York with his American wild ale, and in the competition among Samuel Adams employees, Graham Johnson with his imperial stout.

The brewers from Sam Adams announced the three winners during the Great American Beer Festival in Denver (read our summary of the event). The 2016 LongShot winners join a distinguished group of homebrewers, including some that launched professional brewing careers after their win including: Don Oliver, a 2006 winner; Mike Robinson, a 2009 winner; Cesar Marron, a 2013 winner; Tim Thomssen, a 2015 winner, to name just a few. Here’s a quote from the press release:

“I started out as a homebrewer and saw my dream of becoming a professional brewer turn into a reality,” said Jim Koch, Samuel Adams Brewer and Founder. “Since we started the LongShot competition 20 years ago, we’ve seen an explosion of interest in brewing, and we’re honored to showcase top emerging talent from the homebrewer community with this year’s Contest.”

Enough fancy talk: Let’s learn about the winners

David Cousino’s saison, Avon, Ohio

Cousino began homebrewing nearly 25 years ago in college, and, after a long hiatus, jumped back into brewing four years ago. As a pharmacist, he now applies the precision of his profession to his homebrews – -moving well beyond his days of extract brewing in college. Cousino’s saison imparts a soft malt character, delicate floral notes and a hint of pepper.

Duane Wilson’s American wild ale, Horseheads, N.Y.

Wilson and his co-brewer Mike Edwards have been brewing regularly for eight years and strive to constantly improve on the styles they create. Wilson’s mixed-fermentation American wild ale brew leads with an aroma of apricots. Kumquats impart a dry, fruity flavor and the brew finishes with a pleasant, lingering tartness.

Graham Johnson’s imperial stout, Marblehead, Mass.

Johnson works in business analysis for Samuel Adams and has a passion for homebrewing. Johnson’s imperial stout uses whole coffee beans and chocolate and has decadent flavors of cocoa, espresso with hints of brandy and raisin, and finishes with a lingering sweetness.