2025 Cleveland Oktoberfest microbrew competition winners announced (photos)

Mike Ontolchik, a home brewer and certified beer judge, helped evaluate beers at the annual competition.

BEREA, Ohio – Collision Bend Brewing Co. took top honors in the annual microbrew competition at Cleveland Oktoberfest Friday night, with Fredtoberfest winning the coveted Best of Show.

The competition, traditionally held on the opening night of the six-day fest at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, pitted 15 Northeast Ohio breweries pouring beers in several styles.

“Oh, my gosh, so cool,” said the brewery’s Luke Purcell, who shared a celebratory hug with Alex Orsagos, who brews at Collision Bend’s Euclid outpost. “It’s a local, fun competition, but that’s always good to be the ones who get recognized. It’s amazing.”

The crowd awaits goodies tossed from the roof of the glockenspiel.

As it is every year, a glockenspiel is set up.

Fredtoberfest’s name comes from the nickname for a seagull at the brewery’s Flats location.

“He loves to steal French fries and stuff off people’s plates. The staff named him ‘Fred’ years ago. He’s become iconic for us,” Purcell said.

Cleveland Oktoberfest is great t-shirt spotting territory.

Many of the judges are home brewers who are certified through the Beer Judge Certification Program. Disclosure: Dan DeRoos of 19 News and I are media judges.

Steins and other crafted items are for sale.

Note: It’s a pleasant but cooler start to Oktoberfest than in past years, so there were a few more hoodies than usual among the crowd. Today expect some afternoon clouds with temperatures topping out about 64 and dipping to around 57 at night.

Before we get to the beer winners, here are our annual best t-shirts spotted:

Shirts worn

1. Nothing like a nice cold beer after a nice cold beer

This t-shirt says it all.

2. Shut up liver you’re fine

3. Happy days are beer again

Shirts sold

1. Another year of Cleveland football (with image of man getting kicked in the groin)

2. Pubs: The official sunscreen of Ireland

3. This pint tastes a lot like I’m not working tomorrow

2025 microbrew winners

Classic Oktoberfest

Rick Seibt directs a group of beer judges.

Gold: Collision Bend Brewing Co. - Fredtoberfest

Silver: Great Lakes Brewing Co. - Oktoberfest

Bronze: Boss Dog Brewing Co. - Rocktoberfest

German light lager

Lederhosen and dirndls are popular, and dogs can get in spirit, too.

Gold: Fat Head’s Brewery – Leaf Man Lager

Sand sculptor Carl Jara is back with his artistic creations.

Silver: The Brew Kettle - Big Woody

Bronze: Market Garden Brewery - Progress Pilsner

The glockenspiel is in full swing.

German ales

Gold: Broadview Brewing Co. – Last Train Home

Silver: Great Lakes Brewing Co. – 73 Kolsch

Bronze: Immigrant Son Brewery – Kolsch

German Wheat

Gold: Fat Head’s Brewery - Gogglefogger

Silver: The Brew Kettle – Der Sommer

Bronze: Market Garden Brewery - Prosperity Wheat

German bock or dark lager

Gold: Schnitz Ale Brewery – Coach Dunkel

Silver: The Brew Kettle - Babee Bock

Bronze: Akronym Brewing – Black Hat

India Pale Ale

Gold: Hop Brothers Brewing Co. – Route 80

Silver: Collision Bend – C-Town

Bronze: Broadview Brewing Co. – Hard Court Season

Open: Non-German

Gold: Great Lakes Brewing Co. – Cold Rush Lager

Silver: Immigrant Son Brewery - Common

Bronze: Broadview Brewing Co. – Off the Rails

Best of German

Oktoberfest: Collision Bend Co. - Fredtoberfest

Light lager: Fat Head’s Brewery – Leaf Man Lager

Ale: Broadview Brewing Co. – Last Train Home

Wheat: Fat Head’s Brewery - Gogglefogger

Dark: Schnitz Ale Brewery – Coach Dunkel

Best of German winners

1. Collision Bend Brewing Co. - Fredtoberfest

2. Fat Head’s Brewery – Leaf Man Lager

3. Fat Head’s Brewery - Gogglefogger

Best of the rest

IPA: Hop Brothers Brewing Co. – Route 80

Open: Great Lakes Brewing Co. – Cold Rush

Best of the rest winner

Great Lakes Brewing Co. – Cold Rush

Best in show

Collision Bend Brewing Co. - Fredtoberfest

If you go: Cleveland Oktoberfest

Location: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights.

When:

• Noon to midnight Saturday, Aug. 30

• Noon to midnight Sunday, Aug. 31

• Noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day)

• 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, Sept. 5

• Noon to midnight Saturday, Sept. 6

Admission:

General: $19.

Two-day general: $35.

VIP: $98 (includes one-day admission, one beverage wristband, 1-liter stein with maximum five fills, catered food, access to Jägermeister VIP tent and bier-garten VIP area, gift from Jägermeister and private air-conditioned restroom).

Note: Kids under 12 get in free. Military Monday is Sept. 1 - free admission with military ID at box office only.

Parking: Free.

Cleveland Oktoberfest microbrew competition winners

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